Responsibility for Past Actions

‘As a step to correct their action, apology is crucial. By apologizing, they are acknowledging that the deed was unjust. In 1885, Chinese Immigration Act was created. A Head Tax of $50 was placed on the Chinese newcomers. In 1903, it was raised to $500. In the years 1923 to 1947, the Chinese Immigration Act was amended, restricting most of the Chinese immigrants. No other race had to go through the same shocking process as the Chinese did. This is an unacceptable act of discrimination. On June 22, 2006, Prime Minister Steven Harper finally offered his apology to the Chinese Canadians, “For over six decades, these malicious measures, aimed solely at the Chinese were implemented with deliberation by the Canadian state. This was a grave injustice, and one we are morally obligated to acknowledge.” By apologizing, the government acknowledged and accepted that Chinese were victimized by the immigration act of the government. It is important that the government show comprehension of the immorality of their past action. It shows that they are ready to empathize with the harmed and to do the just deed of taking responsibility. Lastly, apology exhibits that the government respects the victims. Brad Lee, who works with coalition of people who suffered due to head-tax, said, “Until this apology is done, many in the community feel that Chinese Canadians are not full citizens because they’ve never been apologized to for 62 years of legislated racism.” Before the apology, many Chinese did not feel that they were fully Canadian due to the racism they faced in the past. Without an apology, the government is failing to respect the victims who were wrongfully victimized by racism. By apologizing, Canadian government showed that they did not forget about the individuals who had their right violated. Apologizing is the least that the government could do in order to show their regrets. It recognizes the individuals who were harmed and lets them know that the government remembers. Apology is the government declaring the unjust past would not be ignored, but remembered, thus respecting those who were affected. These two reasons prove that the apology is extremely important.’