President Clinton's Apology

The Tuskegee Study was a study that observed the natural progression of syphilis on Black men who received no treatment.  The Public Health department recruited 400 men who had syphilis and informed them that they would be getting free medical care for their "bad blood".  These men were completely unaware of the fact that they syphilis and dying from the disease.  The researches let this study go on for nearly 40 years even when a cure, penicillin, became available.  

On May 16, 1997 President Clinton addressed the nation to apologize for how the Government treated its own citizens during the Tuskegee Study.   He mainly focused on how important it is to trust your Government and his plan on how to build that trust back.  One of the most powerful lines turning the speech was "We cannot be one America when a whole segment of our nation has no trust in America"  

I believe this speech was a major step in both the medical field and how the ideal America should act.  Clinton pointed out how He and the Public Health Services are implementing bioethics programs, building a lasting memorial at Tuskegee, and encouraging minorities to participate in medical research.  These are just a few of the plans to be carried out.    

I truly believe that the election of Barack Obama is the ultimate sign of moving forward.  Electing an African American president shows that this country is moving away from racism and towards equality.  This to me is the best apology Americans could give to those involved with the Tuskegee study.