When an individual, organization, state or nation perpetrates an act or policy so harmful to an innocent person or group of people, the right thing to do is to repair the damage to whatever reasonable extent possible.
That's a long-standing principle in our Judeo-Christian tradition, and a pillar of civil law.
In 2008, it's time for Florida to express regret for parts of its distant and recent past, make amends — and create a more just system for compensating current and future victims of state error.
By three acts — apologizing for the state's role in slavery, the most dehumanizing institution in history; compensating wrongfully convicted ex-inmate Alan Crotzer; and passing new legislation that standardizes fair treatment for victims of wrongful incarceration — Florida would make a meaningful symbolic and actual statement:
That this state, which is known for its sunshine, is also big enough to face up to its dark history and take steps to avoid injustice in the future.
It's been almost a century and a half since Florida's black slaves were freed — long past the time when the state should have officially extended its deepest regret for its role in this disgraceful enterprise.
There are no reasonable excuses for trading in human beings, nor were there ever. The state of Florida should say so officially, and apologize for the role it played in an economic system that relied on human degradation.
A newspaper reported this week that lawmakers from both parties were seriously considering such a statement. The St. Petersburg Times said that Sen. Tony Hill, D-Jacksonville, was working with Senate President Ken Pruitt, R-Port St. Lucie, on an apology resolution from the Legislature. The newspaper said House Speaker Marco Rubio, R-West Miami, was receptive.
"Expressions of regret are symbolic, but they are important," Mr. Rubio told the Times.
Compensate with social, educational enhancements
There should be no price tag attached, no punishing today's taxpayers for the sins of yesteryear. The goal in this instance cannot be direct compensation; in fact, any attempt to repay the descendants of slaves 143 years after the chains of bondage were broken would defeat the primary purpose of an official apology: to help healing.
Slaves, who constituted nearly half of Florida's population just before the Civil War, are long gone. Without question, the effects of slavery remain with us, but the only reasonable way now to compensate descendants is to support educational and socioeconomic enhancements.
Unlike Florida's freed slaves, Alan Crotzer is still alive — but not altogether well. He unjustly lost 24 years of his freedom when he was wrongfully convicted of a crime that DNA testing eventually determined he did not commit. Mr. Crotzer, who was failed by legislators last year in his rightful compensation efforts, is now seeking $1.2 million.
Now a resident of Tallahassee, Mr. Crotzer is widely expected to receive repayment — although money alone can't cure his wounds. He suffers from post-traumatic stress and the pain of reliving his experience.
"Two years of begging at the Capitol retraumatizes these guys," said Jenny Greenberg, policy director for the Innocence Project of Florida, who has helped other wrongfully convicted prisoners. "The reality is these guys are victims. What do we do for victims, make them come in and reprove their victimization?"
Sadly, the answer has been yes. The 2008 Legislature should quickly agree to compensate Mr. Crotzer for Florida's wrongdoing in the name of all Floridians — and standardize a claims system to handle similar cases in the future.
Some plans are pending, and important details on definitions, exceptions, process and payment levels must be worked out. But 22 other states and the District of Columbia have managed to do it. Florida can, too.
It may be a lousy year for the economy, but it's a fine year for justice.
