Smith, Barry - Should African-Americans Forgive White Americans?

04/18/2008

For Discussion at the Kahn Institute

Author asks the question given in the title. The first part of the essay discusses what it is to forgive: to overcome resentment. Resentment is:
'Anger and hatred toward those whom you believe have harmed you without justification or excuse.'
Author discusses the reasons that forgiveness in general is often desirable: it staves off retaliation, it frees up creative energy. But since resentment is the proper response to defend self-regard and respect, if the transgressor will repeat the offence, forgiveness shows a lack of self-respect. The best time for forgiveness is when the transgressor shows legitimate repentance and willingness to repair the damage.

Author reviews the harms done to African-Americans and submits that most of those who actually did the harm are dead, and that most alive white Americans are willing to give opportunity to African-Americans, though most will also reject the case for reparations. There is also the possibility of expanding the case for culpability to the next generation, that it can 'spill-down', yet author rejects this as unjust. Author also is skeptical about how much white Americans have benefited from slavery as compared to African-Americans. But perhaps there is still resentment; author points out this is a different kind of resentment, since it doesn't respond to an attack on African-Americans' self-regard.

Author concludes that African-Americans should try to get an apology from the government without the call for more governmental programs, and that if this is done, African-Americans should forgive currently alive white Americans.