Posted on 06/23/2002 1:41:09 PM PDT by Valin
A lot of white people are upset with the reparations movement.
The reparations movement is an effort by people of African descent to be remunerated, compensated or indemnified for labor that our ancestors performed for white land- and business owners during the period of slavery in America.
Let us not deceive ourselves. Nothing the government or the people of America now possess, or are even willing to share, will come close to making up for the enormity of the moral, psychological, physical, cultural, economic and spiritual degradation that has been foisted on its black citizens.
Here is an attempt to begin to address one of America's most divisive issues ever.
Nobody disputes that people of African descent were held and used as slave labor. Some may differ as to the extent to which physical, mental and spiritual atrocities were visited upon our African ancestors.
Others would like to forget or feign disbelief as to the intensity, continuity and depth of the brutality imposed on my forefathers and mothers. And which extends to us today.
Still others will attempt to simplify the experience by saying: "That was then; this is now. Get over it! We, this generation, had nothing to do with it. Why should we bear the burden? In fact, I'm against slavery too." Others may chime in: "Besides, you've got affirmative action now. This amounts to reverse discrimination."
And most will totally reject the notion that America or Americans owe those who labored in bondage for two-and-a-half centuries.
Slaves were allegedly "freed" via the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, which declared free all persons held as slaves within any state or part of a state then in armed rebellion.
But Randall Robinson, in his brilliant treatise "The Debt," brought light to the subject: "No nation can enslave a race of people for hundreds of years, set them free bedraggled and penniless, pit them without assistance in a hostile environment against privileged victimizers and then reasonably expect the gap between the heirs of the two groups to narrow."
"Privileged victimizers" — an interesting use of words. Some Euro-American would say, "I'm not among the 'privileged' and certainly not a 'victimizer.' "
This brings us to the role that today's American whites play in daily increasing, extending and exacerbating "the debt." It is certainly true that most white people are, to some extent, disenfranchised themselves. Yet, it is also true that their white skin gives them advantage over the nation's darker-skinned citizens, as both seek the benefits of the richest, most powerful nation on earth.
White privilege simply assures two similarly situated people — one white, one black — that the white person will be given preferential treatment.
Yes, affirmative action was designed as an attempt to narrow the remaining gap in access to resources, opportunities and prosperity this nation has to offer.
Yes, some Euro-Americans will say that they were passed over so a person of African heritage could be promoted or hired. While there may be some cases to corroborate this experience, such is a very exceptional encounter.
Indeed, the quest for reparations can stand on its own merit. But, for those who need precedent, remember that after World War I, American allies made successful claims against Germany, as would Jews after World War II.
Japanese Americans re-covered from the U.S. government for acts against them during World War II.
Due to the forcing of Korean women into prostitution, they were compensated by Japan following World War II.
Historical and legal expert Dudley Thompson informs us that international law has many precedents in this area.
Some initial easy steps to solutions could include a national and state effort to:
(1) learn more about reparations and the conditions by which their necessity came about;
(2) look closely at today's conditions that cause continuation of these deplorable circumstances;
(3) develop a plan that would set up endowments, scholarships and other incentives for increased positive black involvement in American life; and
(4) enact laws that are effective and enforceable that would eliminate all acts of discrimination.
These are just a few ideas for a beginning toward full reparations.
McDonald, 70, of St. Paul, is one of eight Pioneer Press Community Columnists for 2002.
E-mail him at kmcdonald@ spokesman-recorder.com.
Small bills, please.
No? Then no reparations for anyone. Fair is fair, Koffi...
Well said. I know lots of blacks who have moved here from Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, etc. I've never known a single black that even stated that he/she wanted to move back to the "homeland". The entire populace of Nigeria would gladly trade places with an equal number of U.S. blacks...any takers? Didn't think so.
The above might be appropriate if applied to actual slaves. But applied to Jesse Jackson, and many other blacks of relative privilege, it is hyperbolic to put it mildly.
Change the R in REPARATIONS to an S (SEPARATIONS) and I'm all for it. Yes Sir, 100% for it. Count me in brother. Way to go. Start now. Get moving....
Others would like to forget or feign disbelief as to the intensity, continuity and depth of the brutality imposed on my forefathers and mothers. And which extends to us today.
It does not continue today. No blacks are slaves today. No blacks are tied to posts and flogged today. No blacks pick cotton 18 hours a day only to get up and do it again tomorrow for no pay. This statement is a lie.
Yet, it is also true that their white skin gives them advantage over the nation's darker-skinned citizens,
More hogwash. White skin admits nobody to any country clubs. In fact, if you look at the race making the most GAINS in the last few decades, you'll see blacks far ahead. And generally at the expense of whites, another factor to consider in any claim for "reparations."
White privilege simply assures two similarly situated people — one white, one black — that the white person will be given preferential treatment
Bovine flatulence! "White privilege" is a term coined by the race-baiters, to describe a fictitious, racist concept that all whites have doors open to them that blacks don't. Show me one.
The race whores will do anything they can to advance this cause, because it is a direct transfer of money (read "power") into their hands. Whitey ain't gonna pay the bucks directly to blacks; someone is going to have to manage that windfall. And you can guess who'll step up to that challenge. Calling their Most Reverend Majesties Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson!
That's a pretty Kwame thing to say.
When are you going to get off the dole???
When will you stop blaming everyone else for whatever status in life you find yourself???
When will you grow up??
redrock
In a social democracy, it's only about who's able to vote themselves largesse. Logic and economics are out the window.
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