I have ancestors who were British (royalty - going back to King John - I have a detailed family history book), French, Dutch, Irish, Scottish, Cherokee (my great grandmother was 1/2 Cherokee, smoked a pipe, played accordian, tall, statuesque, jet black hair pulled straight back into chignon bun, olive skin, blue eyes - wish I could have known HER!), and one black slave ancestor I know of, too. George Washington was a cousin, as was Mary Todd Lincoln and Belle Starr and Dolly Madison. So should I pay myself reparations? I am thinking I may owe myself a lot of money and an apology. I had ancestors on both sides of the civil war, too. I had an uncle in WWII, and he died (still MIA). I lost a cousin at the Alamo, Isaac Ryan. I find his history VERY fascinating, his mother had quite an interesting life. And this was just from my paternal grandmother's side. I surely owe myself an apology at the very least. Don't I qualify for some kind of post tramatic stress disorder? Do I sue my parents, grandparents, great grandparents, great great grandparents, the French, the British, USA, Cherokee Nation........ or myself? I think I will just take myself out for a nice dinner and some great Calif. wine.... and celebrate my familiy's diversity...
I always thought my ancestry was very interesting and even fascinating. But in this lawsuit/reparations society of today -- maybe I shouldn't be so fascinated with my ancestors -- maybe I should be suing someone for reparations?
WHERE on this earth can we find anyone who is pure caucasian American, British, French, Irish, native American indian, black, etc???? I think MOST of us are a mixture of all the ethnicities and that is what makes us strong, healthy, beautiful.... but if we should be bitter and receiving reparations, let me have mine first! I just didn't know we were supposed to be bitter for things that happened to our ancestors. What did I know? HA!
Now, there is no question that slavery has led to economic discrepancies between whites and blacks in the United States. You lost me there, sorry. Yes, without slavery there wouldn't be many blacks in the U.S. with whom whites could be disparate in anyway, economically or otherwise. There is serious doubt that slavery can account for present day black underperformance economically. Except to the extent that it provides an alibi that allows some people to avoid the truth.
I'm demanding two pints of Guinness a day and cable hookup for every McAmerican, and they'll pay it, too. Subtract alcohol, and the Irish rule the world.