Should McCain be a bit ashamed about slavery?

Question

McCain's great grandfather owed 2000 acres plantation with 52 slaves.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_S._McC...

There is no doubt that the McCain's family was able to amass significant wealth through the free labor of slavery. I'm certain that the McCains were able to afford top class education with that wealth and possibly John McCain himself had directly inherited some of that wealth generated by the slaves.

Even though he wasn't an actual slave owner and there are no slaves left, the impact is significant enough to warrant at the very least- an acknowledgement. He has directly inherited wealth as a result of slavery, and the slave ancestors have directly inherited a history of neglect that may have kept them from being who they're supposed to be today. It's all relevant and a presidential candidate should acknowledge it.

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Answer 1

I'm not even a McCain supporter, but this is totally irrelevant and I don't think he's obligated to acknowledge it at all. Did he do it? No? Then why should he be ashamed? How about we stop living in the past and move on.

Answer 2

You really need to get some information before you spout things as fact. John McCain's father and Grandfather were both Admirals in the navy. If there was slavery before that Grandpa blew the money on uniforms.

Answer 3

You libs kill me!!

What the h**l did John McCain have to do with his Great Grandfather.

What could he have done over 100 years ago? Better yet, what could he say or do today that would change anything?

That really is the stupidest statement I've heard today.

Answer 4

He can acknowledge it, but there is no reason for him to be ashamed of it.  My family owned slaves too.  I am not proud of it, but it happened.  I have not directly inherited wealth as a result and would love to have someone try to prove that I did.

As to "slave ancestors" being kept from what they're supposed to be today - their ancestors were taken from being hunter/gatherers and warriors by other warriors of the same ethnic background.  Yes, it horrible, but it has happened throughout history, the victor gets the spoils and does what he pleases with them.  In this case, the victors (Africans) chose to sell fellow Africans into slavery in the US and other places abroad.

   There are still nomads and hunter/gatherers and warriors in Africa today.  I am not sure that many US African-Americans would rather be there, than here.

Answer 5

No......how do we know if one of Obama's ancestors didn't sell one of his fellow African into slavery.

When you see a Japanese person or a German person do you expect an apology for WWII ?

I don't believe you go around apologizing for what your ancestors did so why should he.

Answer 6

no

Answer 7

It wasn't his choice to be born into a family which owned slaves at one time ...so no he shouldn't.

People should be more concerned with the slavery that is going on now, the past can't cant be changed so embrace and move on.

Answer 8

i am against all forms of hate

so i dont know who i would vote for   because thier all pretty much the same people

Answer 9

This is a man who was imprisoned and tortured as a prisoner of war by the North Vietnamese, as a result of fighting for his country.

What have you done for your country that you feel the right to criticize him ?

You don't seem to think he should earn respect for the actions of his Grandfather and Father both of whom earned the rank of Four-Star Admiral in the United States Navy...  So why would he feel shame for the actions of his Great Grandfather who he never would have even known...

Answer 10

You do have a valid point.

I see many people making the same comment; "oh, what his grandparents did has nothing to do with him". and other nonsense.

The point is that what his grandparents did has everything to do with him.

While he himself did not own slaves he has and is currently benefiting from the wealth that was generated.

You could say that his inheritance reeks with blood.

Unless he refuses his inheritance he is suspect and your question should be allowed.

I would like to know how he deals with the moral or ethical dilema.

Answer 11

Yeah..."may he who has not sinned cast the first stone."  How many white people in this country did not have ancestors that were slaveowners or Indian killers?

Answer 12

He has no control over what his great-grandfather did.  That's unfair to blame him for having a lifestyle that was nice because of choices that were made before he was born.

Answer 13

No, he shouldnt be ashamed, or apologize.  People cant be responsible for past relatives actions

Answer 14

Well what about Germans?  What about Japanese?  What about Senator Obama's deceased Kenyan relatives and Mau Mau?  People cannot be responsible for their ancestors' crimes.

Answer 15

He can not be held accountable for his grandfather.

Answer 16

Not that McCain would make the 2nd worst President in history but give that a rest. This is just the thing we need to get AWAY from in our politics. Obama 2008

Answer 17

So what?

Shall the sins of the father be visited on the son?

One of my Great Grand Parents was buried in her robes.  Yep, white robes with a pointed cap.  Guess what, I don't have a barrel of tar in the outbuilding, I don't retain chicken feathers for some fateful day, I don't hang nooses in trees and I don't burn crosses.  There are only three men on this planet I would trust with my life.  One is my brother the other two are split equally one white and one black.

It's good my friends don't know about the KKK member in my family.  I'm sure they would abandon me in a second.

Now I'll tell you who to fear, a woman who will only tell the truth if she is caught in the lie, or someone who has accepted mentoring and a religious guidance from a man who preaches hate from the pulpit.

BTW, IMO wikipedia, with its users editing it, is slightly less reliable that Rush Limbaugh.  If I were religious I would pray for God to prevent Twits like you from voting.

Good day.