The U.S. has yet to make good on its promise of reparations to black Americans

The Baltimore Sun ^ | Professors Karsonya Wise Whitehead and Conra Gist

[ScottinVA]

“Something about forty acres and a mule.”

I propose we give them half of that on the condition they leave the country. No land, but they can pick up their government mule on their next trip to DC. There’s an unlimited supply of jackasses there.

[Thumper1960]

The debt has been paid. Blacks are free. Free to make their way every day, like millions of Americans of differing colors.

So-called "institutional discrimination" was practiced against Irish, Italians, Eastern Europeans, Native Americans, Asians and a host of other groups. Most all have adapted, overcome, risen above and excelled. Taking their place in American society and in many cases shaped and reshaped aspects of America that have added to the value of American life.

Since so many other groups have gone forth and persevered, perhaps it is an issue not of once being "slaves", but a component of being of African origin. It is time for those of African descent to look within their own structural makeup and determine how they have failed and not what claimed external forces have done to them.

[Gaffer]

This is a conversation mainly among blacks themselves and those bleeding heart liberals who persist in pandering to the general notion that blacks will always suffer from racism. Most people hear their plaints and think “fat chance”.

No one with the authority to do so promised them anything, frankly. The crux of the matter is that even if by some stretch of the imagination reparations were paid to them, the collective whining racist-baiters would STILL clamor for something.

There is a saying. It goes like this. “The slave dreams not of being free, but of being master.”

[SWAMPSNIPER]

[Pollster1]

General William Tecumseh Sherman . . . issued his Special Field Order No. 15, which called for the redistribution of approximately 400,000 acres of land to newly freed black families in 40-acre lots (hence the later phrase, 40 acres and a mule). Although the order was later overturned by President Andrew Johnson, the act itself represented a significant moment because the American government made a promise of restitution to black people — a promise that has not yet been realized.

That was an unlawful order issued by a General acting outside his authority, and it in no way constituted a promise by the American government. In any case, there are no "newly freed black families" in the United States, nor are there any living former slaves who were lawfully enslaved inside this country. It's time for these professional racists to give up on their absurd demands for reparations, get out of the way, and allow black Americans to gain the freedom and self-respect that come with learning independence.

[NTHockey]

If it’s equality all that blacks want, this is all you have to do:

1. Clean up your neighborhoods. Get rid of the drug dealers, pimps and gangs. Heck, you have a 30 day free kill pass.

2. Take responsibility for your actions. Stop killing your babies. If you can’t be responsible for your children, keep it in your pants and your legs closed.

3. Get a job, any job. Use it as a stepping stone to better job, just like everybody else does.

4. Stop depending on the government to help you. THEY DON’T CARE ABOUT YOU.

There, now you have equality. Wasn’t that easy?

[VerySadAmerican]

I’d demand the black leaders come up with a number. Then give it to them in confederate script and tell them to shut the hell up.

[Vermont Lt]

I don’t recall any reparations payments due to anyone. When was that conversation.

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

Having obola as president for 8 years. That’s reparations many times over.

[ronnie raygun]

Professors Karsonya Wise Whitehead and Conra Gist
can we guess WHAT these cretans are? How about paying back the American taxpayers for the fight against poverty trillions doled out in every form imaginable over the last 60 or more years, and yet they want more and more and more, f them!

[DaveA37]

“..........reparations to black Americans”.

For exactly WHAT? What have the blacks REALLY done to improve themselves or American in general? I’ll wait for the overwhelming responses....................?????

[newnhdad]

Wow, Obama’s second term and there’s talk of reparations.. Whoda thunk it?

[BCW]

Isn't this the re-payment - housing projects and life long welfare???? That didn't work???

[muir_redwoods]

So who would we pay? Won’t the next generation and the next have the same gripes?

[BCW]

[ You forgot enriching the Arab/Islamic slave lords. ]

...who are still in business...and business is good trafficking humans....

[driftless2]

"no amount...satisfactory"

Pretty much echoes my sentiments. People like the scribblers of this article have absolutely no comprehension of where they are and how it came to be. They perceive themselves as victims not realizing they live immeasurably better lives than 99% of the people of sub-Saharan Africa.

As no amount of money given to them will make them happy, no amount of explanations as to why they should be glad to live in America rather than the sh..hole countries they were taken from will satisfy them. Is it possible to ignore them?

[Adder]

There, now you have equality. Wasn’t that easy?

5. Pay your taxes like everyone else.

You’ll be amazed at how equal you will feel then.

[Popman]

I’d gladly help any newly freed american slave of any color ...

[Mark17]

What promised reparations?

No, I can't say what I really think.

[snoringbear]

“Its a long wait.”

Let’s hope so. However, we should never underestimate the stupidy of congress.