The Tuskegee Study men were used in research that they were not fully aware of. They had not given consent to be apart of the study. The men were lied to by the government. They thought they were recieving free health care. Being poor and african american, they had no other alternatives and themselves, could not stand up against the health care system. In 1997, President Clinton gave a formal apology.
In his apology, he says their rights were violated. This is something that never should have happened. The government is supposed to protect the rights of the citizens, but they failed to do so. The nation broke the trust with the people and its something that many prefer not to remember, yet some will never forget. He asks for forgiveness from the men of the study and their families. He knows its something that cannot be undone, but he can apologize for it. By the men showing up to the apology, it is showing they have found it in themseleves to forgive.
I think his apology was very sympathetic. It was something that the people this study affected really needed to hear. This apology could also make some people come to realize what did happen was wrong and that they cant just turn their heads away from it. When President Clinton said that in remembering the past we can build a better present and a better future, he was right. America has shown they can build a better futur from this.
The events that took place in Macon County Alabama was totaly an embaresment to the United States. I find it so amazing how the men that survived the study had enough courage and strength to show up to hear Presiden Clintons speech. President Clintons apology was way overdue in the aspects of how long the study has been officially closed since the 1970's. Be that as it may, his apology was right on. Even though it may be painful to remember, we as a nation must never forget what had happend.
ReplyDeleteI would agree with you on president Clinton's remark. We can only learn from our mistakes and from the mistakes we make, we may learn to correct them or maybe non at all. Most likely correct them. This research put shame and embarrassment to our nation and was totally unethical.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on President Clintons apology. I think he did the right thing in taking the time to deliver this speech and formally apologize for the government. I think this is important because it shows that the government is admitting that it messed up big time.
ReplyDeleteIts amazing how one man can apologize for a nations mistakes. I agree that it took those victims of the study a great amount of courage to show up to Clinton's speech. It showed that they were the bigger man and could forgive the past. I agree that even though an apology doesn't seem like enough in giving it it is in a way letting go of the past and looking to the future.
ReplyDeleteI like in your article that you mentioned that due to the African American socioeconomic status, they were unable to stand up for themselves against public health and the government. Whereas there is definitely truth in that there was also more to why nothing was done about it at the time. As I understand it, the participants were not only unaware of the ethical violations being conducted on them at the time but even worse, they believed that they were being medically treated. People can't stand up against something that they are ignorant to. The male negros awareness on the Tuskegee Study is not much different of our own today when we seek clinical treatment. We trust that our government and physicians are looking out for our health and best interest as did the male negros. It seems most immoral to take advantage of individuals in a vulnerable position and to hold such a level of secrecy to it. Clinton had a profound impact on the survivors and their families letting them know that they were wronged and that he and America are sincerely sorry. It's in times like these where we can be proud of the steps taken by our government to right the wrongs even amidst the shame of the past.
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