Letter: Actions matter, not words
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.IT IS very difficult to determine the responsibilities living people have for their ancestors' actions ("Sorry is not enough", 18 July). So much depends upon how those actions affect people today. Is there always a need to apologise for ancestral wrongdoing when the victim's family, race or nation has long since recovered?
My family tree goes back to some individuals who were grossly mistreated. Their fate was dreadful and undeserved, yet the nation responsible shows no trace of this mentality today. I live a life of what we consider freedom in a society that accepts me. If a government official contacted me to apologise for what was done to my ancestors 200 years ago, I would feel we were stating the obvious and wasting each other's time. For me, to know that the attitudes no longer exist counts for more than a token government apology.
I am not swayed either way by Tony Blair formally apologising for a historical incident unless the victims feel the original attitudes still remain or unless the apology is followed by active and well-deserved measures to compensate sufferers. If people still suffer because of past events, the duty to help extends beyond the original perpetrators' group to all of us. Do we need an ancient scapegoat?
JOHN HEDLEY
London N8
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments