From the Associated Press:
The Alabama Legislature has passed a resolution honoring black lawmakers who served during the Reconstruction era following the Civil War. The resolution by Democratic Rep. Alvin Holmes of Montgomery says black Alabama residents played an integral part in the Legislature from 1868 to 1878. At the height of Reconstruction in 1874, there were 33 blacks in the Legislature. Holmes’ resolution received final approval Thursday when the House went along with changes made by the Senate. The resolution now goes to Gov. Bob Riley for his approval. The resolution calls for the names of the black lawmakers to be placed on plaques located in the rotunda of the state Capitol, on the grounds outside the Capitol and inside the entrance to the Alabama Statehouse.
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Wow! Good for Alabama, this is an important step.
Interesting. Of course, the state of Connecticut made an apology for slavery this week, the first of New England states to do so. This follows on the heels of New Jersey’s apology last year. Funny, reading many blogs, you’d think there was no slavery up there.
Jim,
If you are referring specifically to Civil War blogs than I would say that most of them don’t mention slavery much at all. Speaking for myself all I can say is that my primary interest is in the nineteenth-century South with a particular interest in race relations. Two current research projects focus on slavery and race relations in Virginia from the Civil War through the present. There is a large body of literature on slavery and race relations in the North and I would be more than happy to suggest a few studies for you if interested. I’ve read a number of excellent books and articles just this past year on the subject. The New York Historical Society has an excellent exhibition on slavery in New York if you happen to find yourself in the area. I do not see the Civil War as a morality play nor am I at all interested in vindicating or vilifying any one side. Thanks for the comment.