2002: USA- Senator Strom Thurmond’s 1948 segregationist campaign

U.S. Senator Trent Lott issues a written apology for a speech the week before, in which he praised Senator Strom Thurmond’s 1948 segregationist campaign for U.S. president.  Democrats and others had called for the apology.  Lott repeats his apology several times over the next several days, repeatedly appealing for “forbearance and forgiveness.”  He also expands his apology to include not only the remarks in question, but also various instances of past “misbehavior” and insensitivity with regard to racial issues.

 
To: 
General public
From: 
U.S. Senator Trent Lott
Year of Apology: 
2002
Footnote: 
Stolberg, Sheryl Gay. “Under Fire, Lott Apologizes for His Comments at Thurmond’s Party.” New York Times. December 10, 2002; Hulse, Carl. “Lott Apologizes Again on Words About ’48 Race.” New York Times. December 12, 2000; Halbfinger, David M. “Pas