If Britain has apologised for the Slave Trade, has Scandinavia apologised for sending over the Vikings?

Question

My point is 'Why does Britain have to keep apologising over actions taken from our ancestors?'

Answer 1

Don't be ridiculous. The Vikings typically ended up blending into a population with little difficulty. And don't forget historical relevance: The Slave Trade resulted in centuries of heinous human rights abuses, more racism than you could shake a cane stock at, and oh, hey look, America might actually have a black president a mere 143 years after slavery was abolished there. Look at all that progress.

"But I said Britain!"

Who do you think was selling the slaves? It's easier for Britain to apologize than it is for America since, you know, the slaves actually WENT to America. But keep up your impotent rage at the Vikings or whatever the h**l you're going on about.

Answer 2

The British parliament still has the same structure and monarchy as they did during the slave trade. The vikings invaded the British isles long before modern times. Britain did not exist as a nation.

I think neither party should have to apologise because it was generations ago.

At the start of this year, the Australian Government finally apologised for the state-sponsored mistreatment of indigenous people. This happened in recent living memory and the population is still feeling the effects. Is this case it was very fair. The Canadian Government followed suit soon after.

Answer 3

I agree, we could spend our entire time apologizing for our ancestors. Mind you, on the Slave Trade, I remember seeing the disappointed faces of some Afro-Americans on the TV, when it was revealed to them that African Chiefs actually allowed Slave Traders to raid their land, in return for a piece of the action, no doubt.

However, if someone does offer an apology (even if it happened long ago), then that shows remorse and allows wounds to heal.

Ideally, someone should apologize for the Crusades, as that would take some of the wind out of Al Queda's sails.

Answer 4

Hey!  Leave us descendents of the Vikings alone!  And I'm not apologising for William the Conquerer either!  btw my Irish ancestors got kicked off their farm, can I have it back please!

Answer 5

Mongolia could apologize for Genghis Khan......     The entire arab world could apologize for the Hindu Kush.......

It's kind of silly - it was a different time and different people, it wasn't a piece of land, a race, a religion....

Answer 6

If I understand your point, then I totally agree. It is ridiculous that modern nations should be asked to apologise for the actions of their ancestors.

In regards to the Slave Trade, the descendants of slaves shouldn't be asking for apologies only from the White Western world. They should also turn their pathetic request towards the Arabs that had traded in them for centuries, and their fellow Blacks that captured and sold them in the first place.

Where do you draw the line? Should every German have to apologise for the Holocaust. Should, as you said, Danes and Norweigens have to recompense Britain and others for damage that Viking raiders did centuries ago?

Should we feel guilty for what our forebears have done? No. Thats more ridiculous than holding a child responsible for their parent's actions. No more can we feel guilt than take the credit for the achievments of the past.

Nations must accept their past. They don't have to apologise for it, only avoid repeating the negative aspects.