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Mary Frances Berry: We Need a ‘Reparations Superfund’
The New York Times ^ | June 8, 2014 | Professor Mary Frances Berry, former chairwoman of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights

Posted on 06/08/2014 11:05:49 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet

In 1887, ex-slaves began petitioning the federal government for pensions and compensation for the years they had labored without wages before abolition. When Congress ignored their thousands of petitions, they tried to sue for wage theft but were told they could not. At the very least, the descendants of the tens of thousands of members of the Ex-Slave Pension and Bounty movement – whose membership forms stated the number of years they had been working as slaves, along with the names of their slave owners and the plantations on which they lived – should be eligible for reparations. Other individuals who can prove the identity of slave ancestors, whether they sought reparations in the 19th century or not, could also be eligible.

Reparations for unpaid labor are restitution, payment for damages to make whole for harm done. No restrictions should be made on how the money is spent. If their ancestors had received wages for their labor they too would have bought what they wanted, invested it as they desired, or given it to churches or schools or charities.

Beyond reparations to individuals, there should be a “Reparations Superfund” as historian V.P. Franklin suggests...

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government
KEYWORDS: blacks; civilwar; reparations; slavery; sourberry
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To: Kozak
Admin Mod is busy on this thread.

I would say what I think about Ms Berry and her demands for reparations, but it would probably get pulled.

Besides, Fred Reed said it better a few years back:

I see by the papers in the Yankee Capital that Johnny Cochran, and of course Jesse and Al, are wheezing and blowing like a county-fair calliope with a leaky boiler. They always are. This time it was about the need to pay reparations for the ravages trala of slavery. It got me to thinking.

I hate it when that happens.

Now, I know I'm hard-hearted, and mean-spirited, and no damn good. It's probably my only virtue. But on consideration, I realized that they might be right. The ravages of slavery do run deep, and cause motingator trouble, with no end in sight. I decided that compensation was only reasonable. Sometimes you don't like a conclusion, but you have to reach it. All right. I'll be a man about it.

You can pay me reparations, Johnny.

(rest at the link)


41 posted on 06/09/2014 2:55:33 AM PDT by PapaBear3625 (You don't notice it's a police state until the police come for you.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

The fact that there is even a debate about this says a lot about the current state of civil rights in this country.

Shocking fact: All the slaves and slaveowners are dead. All the children of slaves and slaveowners are dead too. And any surviving grandchildren are in their golden years. Should we pay reparations too to the Indians for ‘stealing’ their land and killing a ton of them? Heck, since it’s ‘stolen’ we might as well give it back.

It’s madness to think that somehow the great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren of slaveowners should pay reparations to people who were not in the least bit connected to slavery. And if you want reparations for segregation, it’s already called enforced equality, AA and the Great Society with free welfare and education.

There’s only so much we can do, when a disproportionate chunk of black students refuse to learn. Doesn’t matter how much money you pump into the schools, since you can’t exactly lock them up and force them to learn. Zuckerberg’s wasted 400 million is living proof of that.


42 posted on 06/09/2014 2:55:58 AM PDT by Corporate Democrat
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To: Vendome
professor of American social thought...

Uh huh....
43 posted on 06/09/2014 3:23:54 AM PDT by 98ZJ USMC
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To: maddog55

“You don’t hear me bitching and we got St Patty’s Day not entire history month.”

Why did we give them the shortest month of the year? (Heard a black comedian joking about that)

At this point many urban blacks can’t prove their ancestry back to 1960, never mind 1860. Any black person who mentions reparations is acknowledging that they have no hope for the future of the group in general, and is basically asking to be given the same status as American Indians (wards of the state in perpetuity).

Dems have acknowledged the problem and are racing to abort as many of these blacks as possible (when they can’t prevent their initial conception).


44 posted on 06/09/2014 3:38:23 AM PDT by kearnyirish2 (Affirmative action is economic warfare against white males (and therefore white families).)
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To: aquila48

Exactly!


45 posted on 06/09/2014 3:51:39 AM PDT by abclily
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To: GeronL
At the very least, the descendants of the tens of thousands of members of the Ex-Slave Pension and Bounty movement – whose membership forms stated the number of years they had been working as slaves, along with the names of their slave owners and the plantations on which they lived – should be eligible for reparations.

Why?

46 posted on 06/09/2014 3:52:06 AM PDT by DoodleDawg
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To: GeronL

The first payment from the fund is to repay the American taxpayers for the TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS spent on affirmative action government programs since the Johnson’s GREAT SOCIETY disaster


47 posted on 06/09/2014 3:58:55 AM PDT by ballplayer
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To: maddog55

Do you have a reference for this Irish history? It’s quite interesting. I’d like to read more. Thanks.


48 posted on 06/09/2014 4:09:40 AM PDT by Savage Beast (Hubris and denial overwhelm Western Civilization. Nemesis and tragedy always follow.)
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To: Savage Beast

http://thechildrenofthecovenant.com/articles/irish-slaves-in-the-caribbean/


49 posted on 06/09/2014 4:43:18 AM PDT by silverleaf (Age takes a toll: Please have exact change)
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To: GeronL

And I’m sure they’ll get one if it means o can bolster 2016 elections. Here comes the EO.


50 posted on 06/09/2014 5:09:10 AM PDT by freeangel ( (free speech is only good until someone else doesn't like it)
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To: GeronL

I’m completely in accord with paying reparations. The individuals who are profiting from the unpaid labor should pay it. Only for individuals who have been enslaved too.
In other words.....NO.


51 posted on 06/09/2014 5:11:13 AM PDT by Shimmer1
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To: GeronL

Think Michael Jordan.......

The debt is paid.


52 posted on 06/09/2014 5:11:26 AM PDT by bert ((K.E. N.P. N.C. +12 ..... History is a process, not an event)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
My IRISH ancestors were enslaved, too. Where are my reparations?

http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-irish-slave-trade-the-forgotten-white-slaves/31076

53 posted on 06/09/2014 5:19:03 AM PDT by Thermalseeker (If ignorance is bliss how come there aren't more happy people?)
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To: Savage Beast

Here’s another one about Irish slavery:

http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-irish-slave-trade-the-forgotten-white-slaves/31076


54 posted on 06/09/2014 5:24:15 AM PDT by Thermalseeker (If ignorance is bliss how come there aren't more happy people?)
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To: aquila48

“Shouldn’t the blacks in Nigeria, Angola, etc. start the reparations,”

More interesting is that it appears jews controlled many of the slave ships. That ought to go over like a lead sinker.


55 posted on 06/09/2014 5:36:36 AM PDT by DaxtonBrown (http://www.futurnamics.com/reid.php)
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To: Thermalseeker

Your assertion of Irish slavery is not true. Europeans came to British America both voluntarily and involuntarily as Indentured Servants, not as Chattel Slaves. There was an important legal difference. After 7 years (the usual term), the indenture expired and in most colonies, the now free person received a grant of land and farm tools. One of my own ancestors was an indentured servant in Martin’s Hundred on the James River. After the massacre of 1622, his master was dead and he wed the masters widow and was released from his indenture.

You can read more here:

http://www.colorado.edu/ibs/eb/alston/econ8534/SectionIII/Galenson,_The_Rise_and_Fall_of_Indentured_Servitude_in_the_Americas.pdf


56 posted on 06/09/2014 5:38:04 AM PDT by centurion316
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To: GeronL

Mary Frances Berry: We Need a ‘Reparations Superfund’

Gee, what do they call welfare, section 8 housing, free cell phones, food stamps, etc.? Ungrateful slobs!


57 posted on 06/09/2014 5:38:59 AM PDT by kenmcg (b)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

yeh that was a good one


58 posted on 06/09/2014 5:43:43 AM PDT by yldstrk ( My heroes have always been cowboys)
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To: GeronL

Have these people secured a judgment against those they feel aggrieved them? To suggest anything else would be to suggest that a party not attached in any way to a civil suit should be held liable for it. Imagine that precedent.


59 posted on 06/09/2014 5:53:59 AM PDT by liberalh8ter (The only difference between flash mob 'urban yutes' and U.S. politicians is the hoodies.)
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To: muir_redwoods

So she’s getting her reparation in spades already.


60 posted on 06/09/2014 6:37:48 AM PDT by aquila48
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