Posted on 10/11/2007 4:42:23 PM PDT by Bean Counter
Frances Miller's early attempts at starting a conversation Wednesday were a little rough.
"Hey, sister, are you a descendent of slaves?" she called out to a woman who looked African American, scoring a glare.
Miller sat on Northeast 15th Avenue at Broadway -- a volunteer in the National Day of Panhandling for Reparations. She and others across the country asked white passers-by to pay reparations for enslaving black people, and then they gave money to black passers-by. Each got a receipt.
Many people walking by reacted with confusion, amusement, annoyance, offense. But for the people who stopped, the results were profound.
"Artists take the lead on social issues," said Portland-based performance artist damali ayo, who masterminded the event. "This is the way I'm taking the lead on a social issue. Taking it to the streets. Also to get the job done -- getting those reparations paid out."
The debate over paying reparations has raged since 1865 when, after President Lincoln was killed, the government took back the land it gave to former slaves after the Civil War. Ayo says that if the notion of begging on the street seems desperate, that's because after 150 years the situation feels desperate.
"It's already been demeaning," said ayo, 35. "This performance doesn't make it any more demeaning."
Ayo recruited 70 volunteers of many races in the United States, Great Britain and New Zealand, including a dozen in Portland. Through Web sites, the media, participants and people on the street, she hopes to generate greater awareness.
**SCHNIPP**
Dave Barry
Looks like a typical leftist half-assed idea for improving race relations. Piss everyone off at the same time.
oh the things i miss by working from home. anyone want to buy some cartbon credits?
My head is about to explode.
Get a REAL job is all I can say as I am sure some endowment I unwillingly contributed to with my tax money keeps this charlatan fed each day.
So, if I sold her off on an auction block to repay the cost of the civil war to my family, that is just art, right?
My head is about to explode.
Get a REAL job is all I can say as I am sure some endowment I unwillingly contributed to with my tax money keeps this charlatan fed each day.
So, if I sold her off on an auction block to repay the cost of the civil war to my family, that is just art, right?
“She and others across the country asked white passers-by to pay reparations for enslaving black people,”
Just when I thought people couldn’t get any dumber...or more racist.
I would have said 3 words to her. They start with the letters “F”, “Y” and “B”.
It never ceases to amaze me how many differnt ways people come up with to denigrate their Country. I have to wonder how many of these useful idiots earned a good ass-kicking for their efforts??
I have some old navy friends who would be most happy to take a few of these morons to school...
They've worked wonders sor far.
The boats back to their country of ancestry will be provided, free of charge to them, and will be leaving the Port of New York, and the Port of Los Angeles, as soon as they prove their descendancy from slaves, and we'll make it right that way.
Y’know, I might be descended from Roman slaves given the area they conquered in Northern Europe. I demand reparations from the Italians !
I’ve got an idea. Why not ask those who were panhandling to ask descendants of slaves to pay other descendants since it was the Africans that were the beginning of the slave trade, and sold their ancestors? Throw in the Arabs for good measure. They are still practicing slavery.
The debate over paying reparations has raged since 1865 when, after President Lincoln was killed, the government took back the land it gave to former slaves after the Civil War. Ayo says that if the notion of begging on the street seems desperate, that's because after 150 years the situation feels desperate.
after President Lincoln was killed - Implying that had he lived everything would be OK today?
the government took back the land it gave to former slaves after the Civil War. -- The old 40 acres and a mule ruse? Is Spike Lee still trying to sell that garbage? That was a proposal, one rejected by the Congress, in spite of Sherman's attempted over reach.
after 150 years the situation feels desperate. -- To whom? Those Blacks who have worked hard, achieved plenty and were/are part of one of the fastest growing (in terms of affluence) minorities in the past 30 years?
God I hate Portland liberal idiots. Glad I moved out of that town when I did.
the South should have won
“the South should have won”
All those Yankees died for nothing.
if I were the great grandson of a Union soldier , as I AM the great grandson of a Confederate soldier , I would be thinking about ‘demanding ‘ reparations for my great granddaddy going to fight for ‘their ‘ freedom....
Maybe all those with a Union ancestor , who DIED fighting for Mr. Lincoln’s cause , have a case?
Seems to me that the Democrat Party was the biggest historical enabler of slavery in America, of Jim Crow, and opposition to civil rights.
If any reparations are owed, the most culpable group is the Democrat Party. Funny how they never offer reparations.
***Taking it to the streets. Also to get the job done — getting those reparations paid out.” ***
Reparations have already been paid in the form of blood shed at places like Gettysburg, Shiloh, Antietam, and ten thousand other killing grounds in the Civil War.
We owe nothing for slavery.
Why not? They don't have real jobs.
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