Thomas Sowell

In the following viewpoint, economist and syndicated columnist Thomas Sowell argues against the proposal that whites should apologize to blacks for slavery. Slavery was a worldwide phenomenon that existed among all races; no one group should be singled out as perpetrators, he points out. Moreover, the majority of white Americans who lived during slavery were too poor to own slaves, and many of today’s whites are descendants of Europeans who immigrated to America after slavery. Having whites apologize for something that they are not responsible for would only increase racial tensions, Sowell concludes.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. In what ways does the idea of an apology for slavery reveal a misunderstanding of history, in Sowell’s opinion?
2. What ethnic group is the word slave derived from...