If an apology will help matters then I am all for it. It takes a real man to admit that wrong was done to others.
And yes, you are right that neither you nor your ancestors were involved.
But you cannot deny that wrong was done and if the healing process will be aided by a little humility then where is the harm?
How would you personally be harmed by apologizing for the harm that slavery has caused?
I know that I won't be so I am more than prepared to walk down this path and see if it can help We the People form a more perfect union in the future. As an American I have a duty to do exactly that and I believe in doing my duty.
I see nothing wrong with expressing sorrow that slavery occurred, but I would not put it in the form of a personal apology. I didn't have anything to do with it so all I can say is I am sorry it was carried out by others.
Wrong was done starting in Africa when the chieftains sold some into slavery. There is sorrow all around the issue.