Apologies to black soldiers, doctors

Two events, one near and one afar, portend much for moving the nation beyond its racially painful past.

The American Medical Association apologized for a century of racism toward black physicians, including accepting racial segregation within the profession. The industry has pledged to deepen efforts to increase the ranks of minority physicians and include them in organizations such as the AMA.

In related news, the U.S. Army has apologized for its treatment of 28 members of an all-black unit stationed at Fort Lawton in 1944. The Army convicted the men and sentenced them to a combined 200 years in prison in connection with a riot that followed the mysterious lynching of an Italian prisoner-of-war held at the base.

The scales of justice were far from blind then and the convictions of the men stood until last fall, when an Army review of the case underscored the unfair and flawed system. The Army ordered the men exonerated, with back pay and honorable discharges.

King County will give them a long overdue honor and commemoration in the Seafair Parade and during a three-day public tribute at Discovery Park July 24-26.

A debt of gratitude goes to U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott, who requested the military review. Credit also the writing craft of Seattle author Jack Hamann, whose "On American Soil" sparked McDermott's interest.

The Army was one of the first institutions to integrate its ranks, but the horrors of racial discrimination was still visited upon minority servicemen.

So, too, is the history of medicine in America littered with racism — from segregated hospitals to denying black physicians career opportunities.

The actions of the AMA and the Army are more than feel-good acts: They correct the mistakes of history. They offer recognition to those who suffered racial inequality and know well that the wounds of racism sometimes heal at a cruelly slow pace. The salve of apology helps.