Reparations for Slavery
Slavery in the United States started back in the early 1600's. Millions of Africans were unwillingly, brought to the United States and forced into slavery. Slaves had no rights and were seen as wild animals. Many slaves had to watch their family and friends get beat and sometimes killed. Many families were separated because they would be sold to different slave owners. Some women were forced to be their owner's mistress, and many had children for them. For years, African Americans fought for their freedom. During the fight, many were killed. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln, freeing all slaves in the United States, issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Forty acres and a mule were also promised to all freed slaves. African Americans never received forty acres or a mule. However, the fight did not stop there; for years after that, African Americans fought for equal rights.
Today, many African Americans are seeking reparations for slavery.
Pie chart of religions of African Americans
Scars of a whipped slave (April 2, 1863, Baton Rou...
English: The Old Plantation, ca. 1790-1800. Waterc...Holmes 2
So, what are reparations? Reparations are money paid to African Americans for slavery. Many people feel that the United States should take responsibility for slavery, starting with reparations. Who will receive the money for reparations? African Americans who have ancestors that wore slaves will receive the money from reparations. They will receive the money for the pain that their ancestors went through. White Americans will pay the money for reparations. Why should African Americans be paid reparations for slavery? Reparations for slavery should be paid to African Americans for the following reasons: whites have benefited from slavery, African Americans today still suffer from the effects of slavery, and reparations will show that white Americans are sorry for slavery.
The first reason why blacks should be paid reparations for slavery is that whites have benefited from the free labor of slavery.
The sins of the fathers
Call me a bigoted fool, but I think that stupidity can go a little too far at times.
A similar situation exists in Australia with the Aborigines, and the stolen generation. I personally feel no responsibility for the actions of my forebears. Sure, I'm sorry that it happened, but I personally was not even alive at the time it happened. I do not see why my taxes should go to pay compensation for the sins of the fathers, so to speak.
I think there is a case for moving towards the future, and this won't be achieved as long as we have our heads buried in the sand in the past.
The Australian Prime Minister has refused to apologize as well. I think he sees it as being an admission of guilt, although I think legally now saying sorry is not an admission of guilt.
Interesting quandary.
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