I have just read the open letter that Hank Sanders posted on his Facebook page to former NBA star Charles Barkley.

Charles Barkley is known for sparking controversy.  Charles Barkley drawn the attention of Alabama Senator Hank Sanders with the comments he made on slavery.

Here’s an excerpt from the letter to Charles Barkley from Alabama Senator Hank Sanders.

Dear Mr. Barkley:

I write you out of love. I write you out of profound pain. I write you out of deep concern. I hope you accept this letter in the spirit that I write.

Mr. Barkley, I understand that you said, in so many words, that slavery was not so bad and that you were tired of people bringing up slavery. I was shocked by both statements. Then I was mad. Then I was terribly disappointed. Finally, I was just in deep hurt and great pain. Now, I am trying to help you and all those who may think like you.

Mr. Barkley, allow me to tell you why slavery was "not so bad," but very, very bad. First, African people were snatched from their families, their villages, their communities, their tribes, their continent, their freedom.   African people were made to walk hundreds of miles in chains. They were often beaten, poorly fed and abused in many ways. Women and girls were routinely raped. The whole continent was ravaged and still suffers to this day. Mr. Barkley, this is very, very bad.

Mr. Barkley, if you knew your history, you would not say slavery is not so bad and you are tired of people bringing up slavery. The legacy of slavery is everywhere. However, you are not totally to blame because you were deliberately denied the opportunity to learn your history. That is one more legacy of slavery. I hope you will seek the full history for yourself so that you will not ever say such things again.

In deep concern,

Hank Sanders

Read the entire letter at al.com.

 

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