Source: STAR BULLETIN
Sen. Barack Obama, speaking to a gathering of minority journalists
yesterday, stopped short of endorsing an official U.S. apology to
American Indians but said the country should acknowledge its history of
poor treatment of certain ethnic groups.
"There's no doubt that when it comes to our treatment of Native
Americans as well as other persons of color in this country, we've got
some very sad and difficult things to account for," Obama told hundreds
of attendees of UNITY '08, a convention of four minority journalism
associations.
The Hawaii-born senator, who has told local reporters that he supports
the federal recognition bill for native Hawaiians drafted by U.S. Sen.
Daniel Akaka, noted other ethnic groups but did not mention native
Hawaiians when answering a question about his thoughts on a formal U.S.
apology to American Indians.
"I personally would want to see our tragic history, or the tragic
elements of our history, acknowledged," the Democratic presidential
hopeful said.
"I consistently believe that when it comes to whether it's Native
Americans or African-American issues or reparations, the most important
thing for the U.S. government to do is not just offer words, but offer
deeds."
Obama, who appeared tired in his first major appearance since returning
Saturday from a 10-day trip abroad, met with a receptive audience at
the Chicago convention. Some journalists had waited three hours for the
40-minute appearance.