Whatever responsibility there might be to pay "reparations" would rightfully belong to those Southern States where slavery was legal. The US Federal government had nothing to do with it--and Constitutionally, had not the power to act, one way or the other.
And the beauty of it, is that the eleven states of the old Confederacy (well maybe not Louisiana and Mississippi), can afford to pay it now, after a rather long impecunious period. Even better is that about a quarter of the bill will be paid by blacks themselves. It is a winner all around.
The US Federal government had nothing to do with it--and Constitutionally, had not the power to act, one way or the other.
Slavery was legal in The United States of America for approximately 88 years.
Slavery was legal in The Confederate States of America for approximately 4 years.
Any bets that Rep Conyers-D would want to tax only the states in "the Old Confederacy" or everyone in the United States?