Perhaps inspired by the Australian government's recent apology for its treatment of that countrie's native aboriginies, or possibly the orations of Barack Obama in which he admonished slavery as America's "original sin," or simply because it's about damn time, the Florida Legislature recently issued a formal apology on for its role in the slave trade that dates back to the mid-16th Century in that state.

Governor Charlie Crist, a Republican, said that the state "is sorry for the past transgressions and unfair treatment and in some cases just gross inequity as it exists toward members of the African-American community.'' And while the statement issued by the Legislature did not indicate reparations for living descendents of slaves, Crist said that he's open to the idea -- provided they can prove their lineage.

That's going to be tough, but at least the offer is on the table.

This gesture puts Florida in the company of Alabama, Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia -- all states that have issued formal apologies for slavery. In January, New Jersey became the first northern state to apologize for it.

Clearly this is a step in the right direction, and maybe racial equality is possible after all. But knowing the snail's pace at which progress like this occurs, I believe we need a lot more than nice words from important offices to bring about real change.

Unless actions follow words, an apology like this becomes mere lip service. And that's simply not enough.