Do you think black people in america should get reparations?

Question

Either way you answer, please explain why

Answer 1

Enlightened America freed the slaves and shed the backward roots of slavery. It was white Americans that fought and died to make us all free Americans! Isnt that reparations already paid with blood?

I am ignorant because I dont believe a person deserves a check and a handout for something so far removed from their life(simply because they are african american). Can you name one single slave that you were directly related to? Africans werent the first or only people enslaved by another.Dont get me wrong, I know the problems that exist in this country. But, arent you free? Are you alive? You are an American just as the rest of us, one person one vote.How far should this go back? Centuries ago my ancestors were indentured servants does that mean I "deserve" a check from someone? Slavery was wrong and abolished period.
A black child is taunted and ridiculed for doing well in school as "uncle tom". Money wont fix that. Many(certainly not all) black males father children and are not involved in the childs life. That childs caring mother needs help, but not free money, she needs the man to be a father and provider. A home with 2 loving good people interested in their kids futures raise better children.
ANYONE can get an education in this country with scholarships, grants and loans. A white kid is no more qualified for anything than any other race. The problems in society have to be fixed because of the source of the problems and attitudes of the population.
I very sincerely hope I havent offended anyone. I am not racist or believe I am better or worse than anyone else. America is my home and is a much better place than anywhere else in the world. Because we made it so with sweat and blood.
great question btw

Answer 2

Reparations sounds like a good idea if 1) we could figure out all genealogy back to slavery; 2) we could figure out what form reparations would take (40 acres and a mule?); and 3) we could quantify the effect of slavery.

Even if all that were possible, which it is not, would that really solve the problem that exist today. No, way. Apologies and reparations won't improve race relations or the quality of life for some blacks. It would just be more of a symbol. A symbol that government needs to pay for the inhuman treatment of blacks all those years ago. Yes blacks have suffered greatly since the ending of slavery, and while things today aren't ideal, it's better that it was 30 years ago. Personally, I believe that we've got to let it go, move forward, and work to create a better life for today and tomorrow.

Answer 3

Do you think you have the right to ask such a question?? They as a people have been dragged through the dirt ever since the were forcefully made to come to this country!!! Reparations?? Look what bush did to NOT help down in Louisiana.. Come on... America is changing now dramatically, how would you feel if I said to you the Caucasians may soon be the minorities?? Would you want reparations?? Regardless of color, we are all Americans now, and some people need to just accept that.. I believe that they should receive some sort of a reparation, like the natives did, but this will cause so much disturbance in what seems to be a perfect blend of culture and nationalities, that in my opinion, let the past be the past, and thank all those who helped change things for these people.. They are stronger people now because of what happened to their ancestors... And I love them for that... Affirmative action is all they need, as well as all the other races that people look down upon... These people are strong willed, and will rise about this racism crap!!!

Answer 4

Weren't only southern states the ones that permitted the ownership of slaves? In most case, only the wealthiest landowners were able to afford slaves. I should pay because my dirt poor ancestors immigrated to Pennsylvania? My Aunt is a school teacher in Ohio. Why don't we make her pay the grieving parents from the Columbine shootings? Why don't we make people of Spanish descent pay reparations for the rape and murder of indigent peoples of the Americas, as well as the Spanish Inquisition? What about some of the African tribes that sold their people to European slave traders? Why isn't the African-American community going after African nations for reparations? Where does one draw the line?

Our founding fathers failed when they compromised on slavery. They did so in order to appease the Southern states. Further dissent was not needed. While I cannot excuse their actions, I can understand why they wanted to build a strong central government. It is ludicrous that people just want our government to start giving reparations without verifying lineage. There were free blacks in this country. Are they deserving of slavery reparations? And let's be honest. The country is run by rich, old white men. And yes, Kanye, George Bush probably does hate black people. So what are the odds of this ever being taken seriously by the government?

Answer 5

The problem isn't Affirmitive Action or reparations that haven't been enough to satisfy the needs. The problem is unforgiveness on everyones account. How long will bitterness rule your destinies? I don't care what your race, grace, or face is, no one will ever be happy with any answer as long as there is a daily decition being made to not forgive those you feel oppose you. There should be a Bill that is passed that makes it a crime to make any sort of difference in any people in America. All orginizations (mostly the media) that support any differences should be disbanned. Any comment made that supports any difference should be punishible. Any funding that supports any difference should be stopped. Any practice or policy that supports any difference, should be made unconstitutional. The Bill should be called the "Bill of Forgivness", and it should wipe the slate clean to all past issues, so we as a people can move forward into a peaceful future for our children. Soon we will be the Ansestors, what will we pass on to the future, debt, hatered, unforgiveness, revenge, bitterness? You can justify anything, you can find an older rule to over ride the current argument, reduce it and argue it all the way back to Adam and Eve if you please (who owes who, what payback) But until you forgive you will still be nothing, have nothing, live for nothing, pass on nothing. Anyone who hates and murders thier own children we would view as the worst of morons, yet we are doing it people to our own childern everyday we don't forgive and move on. Love Tom

Answer 6

Before I answer, let me say that Affirmative Action was an effort to provide equal access in segregated, racist, discriminating America, not to pay us back for working for FREE for 200 years. Please be more informed before you give a flip answer next time.

Philosophically, I think we should get reparations, but to be honest, I have no idea how it would be implemented. We are so many generations out from slavery that the amount would be astronomical.

In addition, for some of us who are doing just fine in America, it would be a repayment that we would want and deserve for our ancestors, but not really need. So what is the point that it would really make in history if we and our parents were able to be successful in spite of centuries of slavery and discrimination?

I think reparation funds should be poured into programs serving communities heavily populated by poor African Americans, with a focus on behavior health services, parenting skills, personal financial management, school readiness, better schools in general, prison reentry services and adult employment prep programs.

These programs are extremely expensive to provide at the level needed in some neighborhoods. In most cases, the services are underfunded, spotty and disjointed, at best.

Reparation funds would be very welcomed by those agencies and faith-based organizations trying to help blacks and other poor people in their community.

Answer 7

I have to agree with Sondra. I don't think we should get reperations finacially but by government actions. I truly think that environment affects behavior. I lived in New York City. I was born in the worst circumstances. Such as grouphomes and foster homes. I still managed to get my education despite the odds. But it was so difficult. I was advised not to go to a university. My friend on the other hand. He is white and was born into middle class. he lives in Scarsdale. He is going to a good university. Of course he has to work hard, but he has a better incentive to do so. I have no incentive because we don't see the beautiful trees and buildings, clean streets, beautiful schools, and around the clock police attention that the middle class white neighborhood has. It's about race, not class. Anyone who says otherwise is truly blind. Right now I am a teacher in China. I have diffulculty in getting a job at university schools and language institutions because the management says that I am too black. You see the stigma carries itself around the world. We need reperations, but in a different context. I for one believe in affirmative action. Remember that affirmative action is not only for blacks but for Chinese, Japanese, Hispanics, Indian, women....ect. So why do blacks get all the anger from whites when it comes to this law? If there was no racism in the first place there would be no need for affirmative action. If my school was just as good as my friend's school then I wouldn't be complaining would I. Give us the same chance and opportunity and let everyone eat. I hate racism.

Answer 8

Fact: Slaves, the ancestors of Black Americans, built the Capitol building in Washington D.C. without being paid one cent.

This is only one tiny single example of the debt that America owes to the ancestors of these honorable men and women.

The American Government needs to find a way to repay the ancestors of slaves with at least a guarantee of higher education, the land that was originally promised, and good medical care to every single family.

Answer 9

wow...this is really sad...either you know what happened in the past and don care and refuse to believe that slavery did happen or you dont care...but african americans DID NOT ask to come to the united states, it was not a pleasure cruise. And to go through 400 yrs. of brutle and animalistic type slavery, with nothing! In a land that is not theirs!
And not to compensate them, with land and a way to survive is unfair to you?

The excuse that the civil war was about slavery, omitting the published truth about the war. the south wanted to count slaves as 3/5 a person and union would allow it in the country because it would give the south an heavy hand in the nations decisions.
along with a few other reason including freeing the slaves.
you think that was repayment for 4 centuries (and counting) of hate and discrimination.
i african american im in iraq fighting for this country and countries throughout the world to have freedom.
do you think i should be greatful?!?!?!

dont be ignorant people; and people wonder why you americans, have the reputations you do.

i do think that repiration for african americans is not out of reach, i think that there needs to be another way compusate african americans. the jewish families involved in WWII are just now trying to recover their lost goods and compusation, the native americans recieved land (little as it is) as a soverign nation and casino gaming rights. why wouldn't you give the same to another group that was and still is being opposed directly or indirectlly?

food for thought........
dont be ignorant your whole life......

Answer 10

Reparations for slavery isn't something more advantageous than a comic book tale.   i'd extremely be able to lift my head in public.  If reparations is to be paid positioned it into faculties in adverse black neighborhoods the position the youngsters our being lambasted  through each day existence circumstances and fewer than knowledgeable to do more advantageous and upward push.    I continually believed that inner city little ones and little ones in adverse neighborhoods might want to commence college at a million years previous(in a secure, sparkling and nicely monitored surroundings only to attain a real head commence. .) i do not ignore that slavery and the Jim crow regulations after math did psychologically damaged the black mind-set fairly provided that technically we nevertheless see ourselves as no longer widely used into American society now it really is extra of an difficulty of economics than epidermis colour and we are no longer completely respected. (ie... Welfare continues to be seen as a black haven at the same time as now there easily is extra white and Hispanics on welfare than blacks;Blacks do not get accolades in the records for having decrease teen being pregnant charges out of all the races now. )  i favor my properly as a human being and that i favor my peoples delight restored. (the authorities won't be able to attempt this)