Even if Millions Rally on the Mall, Reparations Won't Heal Black America

Project 21 ^ | 8.15.02

[mhking]

Even if Millions Rally on the Mall, Reparations Won't Heal Black America

Huge "Millions for Reparations: They Owe Us" Rally on National Mall on August 17 Opposed by Conservative Black Leadership Group

For Immediate Release: August 15, 2002
Contact: Chris Burger at 202/371-1400 x107 or project21@nationalcenter.org

Paying African-Americans reparations now for the long-outlawed practice of slavery is the topic of a rally scheduled for August 17 in Washington, DC. Members of the African-American leadership network Project 21 oppose the notion that black Americans can only be made whole through monetary compensation, and assert that government interference in the lives of African-Americans has already done more harm that good.

"It's absurd to suggest that reparations wil cure the ills of people in inner cities across the country," said Project 21 member Akbar Shabazz. "More attention should be given to issues that actually will have a long-term impact within the community."

Organizing for the August 17 event began after activists attending the United Nations World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance decided a rally would provide momentum to the reparations movement. Supporters such as Dr. Conrad W. Worrill of the Natioanl Black United Front want taxpayers (none of whom were alive to participate in the slave trade) to "repair" black Americans. Reasons cited for paying reparations, according to Dr. Worrill, consisst of everything from slavery to Jim Crow laws to the existence of the Ku Klux Klan to the assassinations of Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the problem of drugs in the black community. In a June 7 commentary, he proclaimed that the 13th and 14th amendments to the US Constitution - which outlawed slavery and acknowledged civil rights for all Americans - are a "scam." August 17 is teh 115th anniversary of the birth of Marcus Garvey, who promoted black nationalism and repatriation to Africa in the early 20th century.

Project 21 members believe paying reparations would be logistically impossible, and add that such payments would not heal the ills of the black community. Existing government programs have had a devastating effect on black America by promoting single-parent families and out of wedlock births.

To help people learn more about the reparations and make their own judgement on the issue, Project 21 has created the Reparations Resource Center. Located at http://www.nationalcenter.org/Reparations.html, one can find commentaries, news and legal information regarding all facets and viewpoints related to the reparations debate.

"Not a single person directly affected by slavery remains alive," noted Project 21 member Michael King. "While the race warlords go out of their way to create emotional combat between the races, black America falls further behind in important areas - politically, educationally, economically. For those of us who tell the truth about what the poverty pimps are doing with reparations to further divide the, we are attacked, we are denounced and marginalized as the remainder of black America marches blindly and lemming-like toward the abyss."

Project 21 has been a leading voice in the African-American community since 1992. For more information, contact Chris Burger at 202-371-1400 x10 or Cburger@nationalcenter.org or visit Project 21's web site at http://www.project21.org/P21Index.html.

[lavaroise]

Why do they persecute? We have admited, fought against and paid for our sins, and we are not bitter about their own shortcomings (African slave traders).

[Unknown Freeper]

bump for later

[Fzob]

For those of us who tell the truth about what the poverty pimps are doing with reparations to further divide the, we are attacked, we are denounced and marginalized as the remainder of black America marches blindly and lemming-like toward the abyss."

Worth repeating.

The only way to heal the wounds of slavery is for black people to say all is forgiven and count their blessing for what has been accomplished.

[isthisnickcool]

All this talk about blacks and their plight has been a real strain on me. I think I'll sue somebody for the emotional distress. Why? Because I want one of those fancy and expensive SUV's like Quannell X has.

[Dog Gone]

For those of us who tell the truth about what the poverty pimps are doing with reparations to further divide the, we are attacked, we are denounced and marginalized as the remainder of black America marches blindly and lemming-like toward the abyss."

Bravo! It makes me angry on one hand to see sensible black leaders denounced, and sad to see so many American blacks falling victim to the message of despair and victim status which is preached by the poverty pimps.

American blacks deserve better leadership than they are getting. The spectacle in DC today was abhorent to me. It is the politics of racial self-destruction at its worst.

[YourAdHere]

I caught the end of this rally on C-SPAN. They concluded with a salsa band singing a little diddy called "I Want My Money." My description would not do justice to the absurdity of what I saw, or the lyrics that they were singing. Suffice it to say, it's all about the Benjamins, baby.

Sickening.

[mhking]

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[Notforprophet]

I watched it too. There were T-shirt vendors, food and drink vendors, and Big Lie vendors - and everybody just there to make a quick buck.

This whole movement seems farcicle now, after watching that show.

[laconic]

According to The Washington Post, the "Reparations" simpletons were about 999,500 short of a million person turnout, and this in a city of 400,000 black Americans who live within a five mile radius of the event and about 800,000 more blacks nearby in the DC suburbs and in Baltimore. Of course, it was a hot day.

[river rat]

This "demonstration" should finally drive a stake into the hearts of Conyers, Cornell West, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Maxine Waters and many of the America destroying pimps.

EVERY politican should be REQUIRED to sign a statement,declaring his position on the lunacy of "reparations".
Semper Fi

[kayak]

the race warlords

Great phrase!!!

Thanks for posting the article ...... it's an outstanding read.

[beowolf]

Not to worry...only 2-3000 showed up. But, given then state of public education, this number will undoubtly be massively embellished.

[Rockiesrider]

To even entertain the thought that blacks deserve reparations for slavery is idiotic. But if we must lets do it. For every one today that was alive in 1863 and a slave, lets give them 40 acres and a mule. The rest can sit down and shut up.

[Raymond Hendrix]

Be prepared for race wars before this has run its course. Some people are bound and determined to divide this country along racial lines. It is just a matter of time before they succeed.

[sistergoldenhair]

The spectacle in DC today was abhorent to me.

I saw only a few minutes of the broadcast. Somehow, I had the eerie feeling of being trapped in the late 60's.

[Twodees]

"Not a single person directly affected by slavery remains alive," noted Project 21 member Michael King.

Allright now. Is that a certain "hold muh beer" FReeper speaking there?

[Dog Gone]

Nah, there won't be race wars. We've seen far worse than this a few decades ago, and the country didn't even begin to slip into that.

This is a last-ditch effort by the poverty pimps to unite blacks in a theme of victim status, and race against race. But today's turnout was pathetic, and the message of reparations is objectively stupid.

Eventually, the intelligent and reasonable black leaders will prevail. It may take several decades, but it can happen. I think it will. Stupidity can not win in the long run.

[Marauder]

I agree, except that the 40 acres and a mule must come from someone who was a slaveholder at some time.

[mlocher]

thanks for the post. reparations have been paid in the form of government programs (e.g. hand outs) for the last 40 years.