My Two Cents on Reparation!

Published on December 12, 2005 By foreverserenity In Current Events

Thank you Gideon for the inspiration to add my thoughts to this subject!

Link [I can link so well here but still can't do a bloody photo! {laughs at self} ]

While I don’t agree with the Reparations and the connotations to those like me who are innocent in it’s demand, one mustn’t forget that one of the reasons why the government has done and is trying to do anything it can to make amends is because they have to do something after years of not doing anything at all. And if we’re going to talk about Welfare and other monetary payments that some have received over the years, which is not the point.

Because Welfare was created by the government as another means of making amends but they went about it the wrong way and instead a lot of people are existing because of it. It has become such a part of their lives that they no longer see the reason why they shouldn’t have it, use it or be entitled to it. And while we’re talking about Welfare, some fail to acknowledge that Blacks are not the only ones benefiting from it.

The Welfare system benefits other people across the board, it’s not just a one color thing anymore, and everyone who needs the help is on it. We’re talking money received for maintenance of home, food, healthcare, employment of a lot of people, landlords who own buildings and receive rental payments, doctors and hospitals and pharmacists who receive payment for services to people on it. The list is endless. So how does the government rework this system? They’ve been trying to for years and nothing they do has yet to end this debacle!

But we’re talking about reparations and not Welfare. It was only since 1965, not so long ago folks, thirty years. It’s only thirty years now since voting was allowed by any black person. That was the first step.

One mustn’t forget that despite the fact that other people, other races have suffered too, Native Americans, Chinese, and of course Indentured Servants who were whites, poor whites in this country at that time, but even they were in a better class than blacks were because they were white.

Blacks did suffer a great deal and I’m not talking physically, although they did, I'm not referring to that now. I’m talking legally. A lot of things that were done legally to a black person in those times were normally acceptable because they were not considered citizens of this great country. They were animals to be quartered and beat into submission for even thinking that they were an important part of this country’s equation.

They experienced legal and social segregation. They experienced cultural and familial separation. There are still so many people in this country, despite the progress that have been made, despite the hard work done by so many people, whites and blacks alike where race relations are concerned, do still consider blacks as no class people, as animals. There are the usual acceptable jokes, the comments that bring out the true nature of some people who might say it in jest but if it’s said, then surely they mean it? Why else say it?

It wasn’t too long ago that Blacks had no rights or privileges to education, taking part in the simple act of voting, owning wealth, such as property; if they owned any property, and some did, it was taken away from them, legally! Even the soldiers returning from the WWII were not even given the dignity of having made sacrifices to their country, not until long afterwards were they acknowledged.

When Reparations is being bandied about and laughed at and trashed, it should not be looked on as charity, although many want it to be, and think it should be, and think it is, some blacks included. It is not about giving a handout. While some may want the money and feel entitled to it, they should not look to it as payment because they personally were not wronged. And admittedly, these Blacks who think it is need to reexamine themselves.

However can you blame those who want it from trying to get it if they can? It would be the same cash cow as some people scheming in a law suit. Of course it would not benefit our society in anyway.

However since there were reparations done at other places in the world? Germany to the Jewish people who experienced the Nazi era for example, and the Irish too by Britain? I’m not sure about that but there was something to that effect? I can be corrected on this if I’m wrong. Is it such a big surprise that some black Americans would not jump on this band wagon? Goodness even the Africans want in on this goldmine! Although slavery was in Africa at the time, there are some Africans who feel that what the Europeans and Americans did, added to the effects of slavery there.

So it’s not just Americans now, it’s Africans too. Now can you imagine if the US government actually admitted that it was wrong in the past what a calamity that would be for them! And so they will do something, anything to get rid of that stigma of what Blacks in America experienced. However, reparations are not the way. Finding another means of investing and uplifting the future of Americans should be the way.

However with all these demands there IS STILL SLAVERY in our world today. This is what should be the focus of our government and all people in the free world. It is time for the eradication of any and all types of slavery. Not reparations, because the slavery of any individual is a crime to humanity.

Women and children are enslaved in and around our world today, it is time that WE ALL join on the bandwagon to free them.

Comments

Dr Guy

on Dec 12, 2005

It was only since 1965, not so long ago folks, thirty years. It’s only thirty years now since voting was allowed by any black person. That was the first step.

More like 40.

And admittedly, these Blacks who think it is need to reexamine themselves.

But no, I make my own calls and my own decisions as I am free to do. As they are free to do. And while there was some restrictions on them 40 years ago, there was not universal restrictions on them at any time. As history demonstrates.

ParaTed2k

on Dec 12, 2005

Is it just to punish the people of today for the "sins of the fathers?"

Yes, there were terrible things done to Black people in the past, but do we do our society any favors by telling our kids that they must pay?

I didn't own slaves! My parents didn't own slaves! My great, great, great, great, great grandpa Erastus didn't own slaves. However, Erastus was in Nauvoo, Il, when mobs stole the entire city from the property owners who lived there. He was in Missouri when the "Mormon Extermination Act" was passed (making it legal to kill Mormons), he was also in the Mormon Battalian, and took part in the longest forced march in U.S. Army history (during the Mexican American War).

Do you know what his "reparations" were? He got to be in Salt Lake City when the U.S. Government declared war on the Utah Territory. He got to wake up every morning with cannons placed at Fort Douglas aimed at he and his family in the Salt Lake Valley.

Do you know what "reparations" we have asked for? NONE!

After our amcestors were murdered, raped, tarred and feather, and sent out in the dead of winter to die in the wilderness... we ask for, and expect NOTHING. Why? Because it isn't just to even ask.

Anyone expecting reparations for something that didn't happen to them personally is just plain greedy and nothing more than a thief.

joeKnowledge

on Dec 12, 2005

The Welfare system benefits other people across the board, it’s not just a one color thing anymore, and everyone who needs the help is on it.

Funny you say that since Black people didn't dominate the welfare roles until around the late 80's.

Personally, I don't think reperations will work or are needed (if they were, it should have happend years ago, not now). Our reperations was being intergrated in schools and being able to buy homes in better neighborhoods, buy cars, and actually live the 'American Dream'.

From Human Rights to being able to ride in front of the bus, to not being forced to live in black only nieghborhoods.

Being helped and allowed to have education, wealth and family and forcing it on the rest of the pupulation is pretty good in my book. I don't need a hand out, I need opertunities. I can earn my way up just like everyone else.

Over all, the idea of reperations seems to come from the difficulty of black people to regain their 'humanity' after generations of not being allowed to do, say, or be anything. Reperations might have worked back in 1965-74 when the people who were living at the time could have used it to really move up. In 2005 it would be no more than a hand out (unless it went to the generation that lived during that time... but still I think being able to actually live in freedom and peace and to be able to make more of your life is far better than a hand out just because you lived during that time)

I think the main problem today with many blacks is that we only have had about 2 generations since 1970 (the third being born in the 1990's are to young to count) and that is not enough time to have fully intergrated education and wealth into the population. So we still have lack of education, family bonds (most families don't have male figures in them), wealth and ownership. The good (and bad) news is that we have moved forward and upward even with racism still existing, but at this point and time the reality is that the people who held us back hardly exist any more and the people who are actually holding us back now is us and ears of not knowing or having. (In the past, I could understand looking up to a pimp or a hustler on the street... but in 2005? There are only a few neighborhoods who can still say that it is still 1970 in the USA... they do exist, but they ARE few.)

Even today if I told another black person I was starting a business, he would respins to me like 'well, ok if you want to go that route'. if I was talking to a white person it would be more 'normal' for someone to go into business.

foreverserenity

on Dec 13, 2005

More like 40.

There goes my math! Thx Doc and to think that's the same year I was born I should know that!

Yes. For if taken to the nth degree and logical conclusion, I must now fight the Italians, English, Egyptians, and yes American government for my redress. For they all enslaved my ancestors. However, no one ever enslaved me. And like this lady that is clamoring for her redress, can I not say that since I got no inheritance, that I am entitled as well? The Slavery held my ancestors back as well.But no, I make my own calls and my own decisions as I am free to do. As they are free to do. And while there was some restrictions on them 40 years ago, there was not universal restrictions on them at any time. As history demonstrates.

Exactly! I don't know why these call for reparations don't stop. There should be a focus on uplifting everyone, not just blacks. One can't and will not be helped if one won't do anything to help themselves. Then it would be feeding into the stereotype. If our fellow black americans can't and won't get over this hump there won't be any chance for them!

Perhaps, but it's time to get beyond that. And no, we do not help our children by thinking and behaving in this way.

Anyone expecting reparations for something that didn't happen to them personally is just plain greedy and nothing more than a thief.

Exactly!

Personally, I don't think reperations will work or are needed (if they were, it should have happend years ago, not now). Our reperations was being intergrated in schools and being able to buy homes in better neighborhoods, buy cars, and actually live the 'American Dream'.From Human Rights to being able to ride in front of the bus, to not being forced to live in black only nieghborhoods.Being helped and allowed to have education, wealth and family and forcing it on the rest of the pupulation is pretty good in my book. I don't need a hand out, I need opertunities. I can earn my way up just like everyone else.

Exactly!

I think the main problem today with many blacks is that we only have had about 2 generations since 1970 (the third being born in the 1990's are to young to count) and that is not enough time to have fully intergrated education and wealth into the population. So we still have lack of education, family bonds (most families don't have male figures in them), wealth and ownership

These are very good points Joe!

The good (and bad) news is that we have moved forward and upward even with racism still existing, but at this point and time the reality is that the people who held us back hardly exist any more and the people who are actually holding us back now is us and ears of not knowing or having. (In the past, I could understand looking up to a pimp or a hustler on the street... but in 2005? There are only a few neighborhoods who can still say that it is still 1970 in the USA... they do exist, but they ARE few.)

Very, very good points here too!

Even today if I told another black person I was starting a business, he would respins to me like 'well, ok if you want to go that route'

This is the type of mentallity that we are faced with today by some blacks. It is as if they don't expect themself to excel. It is hard work for anyone to exist in this life if they don't have a silver spoon in their mouth. But hard work does pay off and getting up off your butt and making changes in your life is good for anyone to do and makes a difference in their life. It's just that some people have become so used to what they do and how they live, making changes is one of the hardest thing to do, but doing it is one of the best thing anyone can do for themself.

stevendedalus

on Dec 13, 2005

However since there were reparations done at other places in the world? And here, too--for Japanese Americans incarcerated during WWII. Personally i think reparation should be in the form of free scholarships to college and tech schools for black Americans not simply black but not enslaved by the US.
Sensitive article.

foreverserenity

on Dec 14, 2005

And here, too--for Japanese Americans incarcerated during WWII.

I didn't realised they got reparations here. Thanks for the info! Scholarships are a great idea. At least then everyone will get something out of it. The country will have even more skilled and learned people. Especially for those who really cannot afford higher education.

Sensitive article.

Thanks! I tried to keep it that way.

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