Rant...

Mr. Obama, don't apologize for me. I had nothing to do with slavery, Cuban politics, or any of the other regrettable events in American and world history. As an American citizen of the 21st century I and my children have to endure the consequences of events and behaviors of past citizens just as everyone else does. Why should I also have to shoulder the blame?

None of us have any control over the past, but we do have influence over the future. Why can't we just learn from the mistakes of our ancestors, (those being also out of our control and unchosen), and achieve a more harmonious and advantageous future for ourselves and our decendents?

Apologies are only band-aids to hide the wounds and draw more attention to them at the same time. They show that we don't have the skills to do anything more definitive and productive. Apologies also leave us open to the excuse based mentality that gives free reign to self pity and vindictiveness.

There is a place for a heart-felt apology from one person to another, but that is only productive when the one who apologizes actually had some culpability in the offense. Otherwise it is just empty noise.