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Post by glc3 on Jun 9, 2006 19:01:43 GMT -5
Now I'm sure all you are aware of some groups that are calling for reparations to descendants of slaves to be paid by the American government. I have a question to those people, "Shouldn't we also be asking for reparations from the African Countries that sold our ancestors into slavery?" They profited too. George Cook www.letstalkhonestly.com
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Post by dolphinfan on Jun 10, 2006 6:35:20 GMT -5
The problem with that is, who's got money and or a government , we can collect FROM!!!???most countrys are pure, at least at face value!!.
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Post by Blaque on Jun 12, 2006 15:25:42 GMT -5
Personally, I don't think that reparations should be paid by our government or anyone else for that matter. You could never compensate me for what my ancestors had to go through. Why would anyone want to gain monetary for the horror that was slavery? To pay me would be belittling what happened. Hell, people barely know their Black history. Too many Blacks are still using the N word like it's nothing. As apathetic as some of us are, would it really mean anything to receive reparations? I doubt it.
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Post by blackviking on Jun 12, 2006 15:57:59 GMT -5
I have a question to those people, "Shouldn't we also be asking for reparations from the African Countries that sold our ancestors into slavery?" They profited too. No. Their profit was inconsequential. They basically traded people for weapons and alcohol, and what they did with those resources is inconsequential in today's world. The USA, on the other hand, built a global superpower on the backs of those slaves. Most descendants of slave owners are still profiting from institutions built by slave labor today. In fact, since many of these same institutions are responsible for rise and maintenance of White Supremacy, most White people have and are still benefiting from slavery. Everyone who benefits from anything America does or has done is benefiting from slavery. Everyone but us! America owes us big! Personally, I don't think that reparations should be paid by our government or anyone else for that matter. You could never compensate me for what my ancestors had to go through. Why would anyone want to gain monetary for the horror that was slavery? To pay me would be belittling what happened. I used to feel the same way, Blaque. But, I've evolved on the issue a lot. One of the smartest men I know put it this way... "Most of the damage that has been done to African Americans by the institution of slavery can never be undone. But, some of it can be undone, and must be. America has a debt to pay, and it must be paid." I think it can mean a great deal. Just one thought off the top of my head... The best calculation for reparations I've heard is a monetary amount for 400 years of unpaid labor, with interest. I'm sure this number would be in the trillions. What if the money was never spent at all? What if it was put into a fund, and it's only purpose was to provide collateral and down payment for African Americans to buy homes? Home ownership is the most significant way to generate wealth in America. But, home ownership for us is at about 40%, while for Whites is about 75%. Please understand, this disparity is the direct result of slavery.[/b] White people were able to own land from the jump. For 400 years, we couldn't own anything at all. We were owned. Home ownership in the Black community has only shown real growth in the last forty years or so. Meanwhile, White people have been passing down wealth, from generation to generation, for 500 years. I also believe that reparations is in the best interests of White people too. Reparations could go a long way toward healing the racial divide in America. White America has a real hard time acknowledging the what they've done to us, and what they're still doing to us by ignoring it. If slavery is addressed, once and for all, in a manner that will close some of the gaps that it caused... maybe we can keep this country from imploding on itself.
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Post by Blaque on Jun 12, 2006 16:20:22 GMT -5
Actually I like that idea. But as far as the racial divide, I think it would make matters even worse. The hate groups would have a field day if African Americans are GIVEN anything.
I don't think there is a right or wrong way to feel about this. But I would rather deal with the present and the future. I would rather address what Blacks are doing to each other today. Some of us are still enslaved and don't even realize it. I understand the inequalities that we've had to and are still trying to overcome. But Black people can achieve anything they want to achieve today. I don't believe in making excuses as to why I must settle for less in life. I'm not going to be a victim of circumstance. I believe that hard work pays off. I don't want anyone to give me anything.
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Post by blackviking on Jun 12, 2006 17:02:30 GMT -5
But as far as the racial divide, I think it would make matters even worse. The hate groups would have a field day if African Americans are GIVEN anything. True. They had a field day over Affirmative Action, so I'm sure they will have a field day over Reparations. But really, who cares about them? Reparations is about empowering Black people. The empowering of Black people works toward leveling the playing field which, in my view, has always worked to benefit White and Black people in the long run. Just think how many White people will make money when every Black person in America goes out and buys a new car! Seriously though, it would stabilize and diversify the economy... which is good for everyone. To me, I don't think it matters if Joe-Blow-White-Trash doesn't see that. Also, I would like to make the point that we are not being GIVEN anything. The blood, sweat, and tears of our ancestors were invested to make this country what it is today. It's time to collect on that investment. Trust me, I do understand what you are saying here and I very much agree. But, I don't think that the case for Reparations works against what you've written here.
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Post by Blaque on Jun 12, 2006 17:18:18 GMT -5
I didn't mean to suggest that we were being given anything. I was just speaking to the racial divide issue and I think that is the way many hate groups would see it. The only reason I would care what they think is because they don't call them "hate" groups for nothing. If hate crimes start to increase because of reparations, I don't think it would be worth it.
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Post by feefee on Jun 12, 2006 17:26:08 GMT -5
Compensation would be difficult for slavery. However, something should be given. It was for the jews and the japenese.
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Post by blackviking on Jun 12, 2006 17:52:06 GMT -5
If hate crimes start to increase because of reparations, I don't think it would be worth it. I don't think we would see a drastic increase in hate crimes. But, even if we did, I think it would be worth it. Often times, White America needs to be smacked into doing the right thing... and it's always us doing the smacking. In my view, that's a part of the burden of being African Americans.
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