It was with great interest that I read the various postings regarding Black reparations. This is obviously a very decisive subject not just between races, but also within families. There was a time many years ago, when I might have been against the mere concept of Black reparations, but as the years have passed, my opinions have changed. I was raised by racist parents in an area that was predominately white. I never heard anything good said about the Black race. It was not until I was joined the military and went to college, that I started viewing things much differently. I am now firmly in the pro-reparation camp.
I have read many say that racism does not exit anymore, so there is no need for reparations. For those who do not believe that racism exists even now, they must be in denial. While in the military I witnessed first hand where Blacks were passed over for promotions or given less than desirable assignments. Now in the civilian community, I continue to see it. I have personally seen more qualified Blacks past over for a position, and then see that position filled with a less qualified white. Most of discrimination I have observed appears to be targeted against the Black woman. Yes, racism is alive and well in the U.S.
The anti-reparation side has written that the claim for reparations is premised on the false assumption that only whites have benefited from slavery. This may be partially correct in that the entire nation gained wealth from slave labor, with the majority of that wealth has gone to whites and strengthen the foundation of white privilege. Still, assume that the entire nation gained from slavery, then it stands to reason that the entire nation owes the Black community.
It has been argued that whites have already repaid Blacks, as a result of the large number of Union soldiers who died to free them. I would counter that by saying that their sacrifice was only the beginning. Even after the Civil War, Blacks suffered in both Northern and Southern states. Wouldn’t it be a crime to finish what those soldiers sacrificed their lives to start?
There is no historical precedent that justifies reparations. To those I remind them that the U.S. has paid reparations to Japanese-Americans and Jewish survivors. Anti-reparation types argue that the recipients of these reparations were the direct victims of the injustice or their immediate family. To a small degree the anti-reparation side makes a good point, but not one that should deny reparations to the Black race. Blacks were harmed as a group and racism is a group practice. Rather than giving individual Blacks monetary reparations, I would advocate setting aside the reparations, which would be used to improve economic conditions and the educational structure of the entire Black community. This fund would of course be monitored by Blacks for Blacks. Regardless of how the reparations are distributed, the fact remains that they are long past due.
For those that argue that American Blacks are far better off than Blacks in other countries is an unfounded argument. Racism was both a cause and a legacy of slavery. Racism continues to abuse Blacks. This abuse is legitimized through the criminal justice system. An outrageous number of young Black men are in prisons and a disproportionate percentage of Blacks are on death row. Profiling leads to the arrest of young Black men when no crimes are committed and poverty accelerates convictions. Furthermore, 87% of the accumulated wealth in the US is in the hands of whites. Much of it is wealth built up during slavery. It is passed from family to family thereby excluding most Blacks from economic opportunities. A disproportionate number of Blacks are at the bottom of our economic system.
At any rate, I for one, am a white who is adamantly in favor Black reparations. We waste countless amounts of money on an unjustifiable war and giving tax breaks to big business. This money would be better spent correcting a grievous wrong. Now is the time for action and I am hoping that with President Obama, we can move forward.