billege

I think it's more about our country trying to atone for what it did to the descendants of those wronged. It's America that did this repulsive thing. America belongs to us, and it's past belongs to us also.


I said "Reparations could, but ultimately would not..." So, I think I've already stated I do not think compensation with money is the answer. I reiterated that at the end of my post with this, "Reparations may be deserved, but they'd do nothing..."

In my mind, it's more the sincere attempt at some kind of reparation, and an apology, that must be made. So far America has never said, "look, we messed up. Bad. We're sorry." In and of itself, that would be significant.

While we're here, if there were to be cash payments made, it would be none of anyone's damn business what the money was spent on. I'd be very upset if someone told me, "hey, billege! Why are you buying that new video card? You should be bettering yourself." Who would decide when I'm bettered?

On a more personal level, and I sincerely mean no offense to you, you may want to rethink some things. You mention Fubu shirts and 20" rims with such a (white) disdain and dismissal, that I wonder; who are you to judge what black, or other, cultures choose to purchase?


In the American mind, the Nazi acts on the Jewish people are pretty much the blackest thing brought up when discussing what's the worst thing ever done by a nation, to a race.

Slavery affected more people, over a much longer period of time, and was just as deliberate and disgusting as the Holocaust.

Not to try and compare which was worse, that's impossible and irrational. But, I'm trying to point out that slavery is the moral equivalent.

However, few Americans put slavery in the same category as the Holocaust. But it was. In slavery, our country was every bit as bad as we feel the Nazis were.




As for the dollar amount, I agree with you. Attempting to put a price on slavery is ludicrous. It cannot be done.

Slavery cannot be erased, fixed, or made up for.

It can be acknowledged, owned, and then dealt with.




*edit*
I'd like to add this thought:

The question asked in this poll is "do you think black people deserve reperations for their ancestors being slaves?"

I answered that question meaning, "yes, reperations are deserved."

That is a different response than "yes, reperations should be made."

I think the vast majority of responders to this post are misinterpeting the original question as this:
"Do you thing black people should be given cash money as reperations for slavery."

I went on to explain why I feel they are deserved, but are not a workable idea.
Many posters are only discussing why payments should, or should not be made.
Few are discussing if they are deserved.

It's a subtle difference, but it is important.

__________________
I can sum up the clash of religion in one sentence:
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