"Some days ... I just want to go up to the closest black person and say...then slap him...

Kathleen Parker ^ | August 21, 2002 | Jewish World Review

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Barbara Stanley: Reparations -- No Matter
Source: Toogood Reports; Published: August 21, 2002
Author: Barbara Stanley

Recently, the United Nations ok´d the idea of reparations for slavery in America´s history and a rally was held to trumpet that cause in DC. No matter that the United States Constitution protects those not proven guilty of a crime from paying penance; no matter many of today´s citizens are children of the waves of immigration that occurred in the early part of this century and never owned slaves; no matter slavery was begun in Africa by blacks selling blacks to Arabs. No, no matter that this notion, on its face, is illegal, unjust or ineffective to race relations today. And, no matter that America was the country which brought about the beginning of the end of slavery.

I guess, to be specific, since black Africans sold the first black African slaves, any reparations granted, though illegal, would be paid back by the very folks who lay claim to receive. Huh? Slavery, then, is a completely African black/Arab issue. Why am I in this mix? I never owned a slave; never would enslave another of any race, color or creed; am already taxed to the max by an oppressive confiscatory system and am somewhere between a serf, who gives two thirds of his labors and a slave who gives one-hundred percent as I pay a combined state and federal tax of 52¢ out of every dollar earned, myself............."

[TexasRepublic]

"Reparations for descendants of slaveowners! Their ancestors property was taken without compensation, so it is only fair that the taxpayers kick in to right this terrible injustice!"

Then somebody owes my family compensation for 90,000 acres of plantation land stolen in Louisiana by the perpetrators of the Northern Aggression -- that is why my ancestors became refugees in Texas.

[Sally II]

Great article. This whole reparations argument is pretty baffling. I've always respected my elders, just as my hardworking immigrant parents taught me. I'm 33 now, and I realize these men who are demanding reparations are my "elders" by age. But for heavens sake! Why is it my fault if they feel bad about themselves? I can't help that I was born white. And why do they need my money to feel better?

[FourtySeven]

Not to question the au fait Mr. Barron, but what is "improvision", I ax?

heh....good catch! Also, one might wonder what the difference is between "black" hyperbole and any other kind of hyperbole.

[bert]

...And why do they need my money to feel better?.....

It's a lawyer thing.

[CougarGA7]

Question:

My wife's family came to America in the early 1900's. After slavery was abolished. How much does she have to pay and why is she liable for reparations?

My mother's side of the family also cam to America in the early 1900's, and my father's side traces back to Braintree, Mass. I have never found any record that anyone in my family was a slave owner or lived in the south for that matter. How much do I have to pay and why am I liable?

There are quite a few African-Americans who came to this country after slavery was abolished. How much do they get and why are they entitled to it?

So many questions.

[wizr]

This isn't just black and white. It's brown and white, yellow and white, red and white, etc., etc.

Funny thing is...I'm not albino. Maybe, if all of these people that want equality quit talking about our differences, we can realize that we are all the same, inside.

[Neckbone]

one might wonder what the difference is between "black" hyperbole and any other kind of hyperbole

Or my personal favorite- "reverse discrimination" used to describe discrimination against whites. The "reverse" part of course insinuating that all other discrimination was perpitrated by whites. That one makes a vein throb in my head.

[mrustow]

I don't expect the New York City Council to expel Barron for this statement, but isn't there some way to get them to censure him?

The council is run by a white Uncle Tom named Gifford who has nothing but kind things to say about Charles Barron.

[SeeRushToldU_So]

If we pay, do get to have a slave for our money?

I don't give money for nothing.

[elcaudillo]

After reparations every HUD tenement and every Jimmie Karter tarpaper slum will be a crack and junk jewelry salesman's paradise.

It might even bring back such colorful 50's characters as Mad Man Muntz!

[elcaudillo]

You'll be wanting a Lawnboy next!

[Bon mots]

Blacks do not slap white people.

They usually rape or shoot them.
Heck, even Jesse Jackson knows this. Jesse don't like no black footsteps behind him...

Of course, this does not mean ALL blacks do these things, however violent crime is disproportionately (and politically incorrectly) the forte of statistically significant numbers of post-adolescent black males.

[Thumper1960]

Does anyone know if any of the "former slaves" ever got their "forty acres and a mule"?

If so, wouldn't they be excluded from any such "reparations"?

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Actually, I'd be willing to pay - to purchase some land and a one way ticket to Africa...... we could start an "adopt a slave descendant" program for those who hate their life in America so much......... one time offer - one way.......

What do you think?

[Cagey]

I'd chip in too, but it seems most blacks in this country could not care less about reperations. At least the rallye in DC the other day was a flop.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

I agree Cagey...... I think this is an issue for the militant black fringe....... and hopefully, the mainstream black population will tire of it reflecting negatively on them and shut them the hell up!

[Cagey]

I bet there are more bleeding heart white folks that are pro-reperations than there are blacks. They want to wash away their guilt and feel good. Let them write personal checks.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Good point......

[Mark17]

Farrakhan called for "land for political independence, we need millions of acres. ...

Isn't that about the same thing that Mugabe is doing in Zimbabwe right now? I am enough of a pessimist, to believe it could happen here too.