Ok opinions , Slavery issue?

Question

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060709/ap_on_re_us/slavery_reparations Check out this story and voice your opinion please

Answer 1

First, there is not a single former slave alive today. If there were they would certainly be due just compensation for their labor, but the ancestors of atrocities do not deserve compensation in any way. As a precedent for this point of view, from the last century, let us look at how the compensation of slave labor during the holocaust of World War II has been handled. The thousands of people that survived that inequity are being compensated by both the government of Germany and by the companies that gained from their forced labor, and rightfully so. But their children have no inherited right to collect for the uncompensated labor of their parents. Certainly the grandchildren and great grandchildren of American slaves never experienced the appalling life of slavery, and therefore, like the children of Jews and others enslaved in Germany 50 years ago, they have no claim for themselves.

Secondly, blacks do not have a monopoly on living in poverty in this country. According to the latest census data approximately 30 percent of blacks and whites live in poverty. Hispanics unfortunately have an even higher percentage living below the poverty line. All this current day poverty can not be attributed to a disgusting institution that was ended 150 years ago. It can however be attributed to present day governmental policy. There should be a monumental effort made by the government, at all levels, to get all Americans out of poverty, but a policy centered on only one race is just as wrong as slavery was.

Thirdly, slavery could not have existed without the complicity of black Africans who supplied most of the unfortunate humans that were sold into this dreadful condition. It was not just whites that kept this retched institution going for over 200 years. In addition, there were over 200,000 white Americans that paid the ultimate retribution during the Civil War, when they gave their lives to end slavery. The reparation debt owed to slaves was paid a long time ago when the North won the Civil War and freed them.

Answer 2

This is going to open up Pandora’s Box. This country was built on slavery which was legal and kept blacks down years after slavery with the Jim Crow laws. This site is about Jim Crow: http://www.nps.gov/malu/documents/jim_crow_laws.htm

Would this country benefit from exposing all who benefited from slavery? Should all those companies have to give a formal apology?

I think that it will only create more racial tension. I know that things aren't good economically for some blacks but at the same time, there are many blacks who are doing very well who started from nothing. Monetary payment is not going to separate this country more than it already is.

I personally think that a formal apology on the books would be in order. I also think that restitution should be made by 1) funding research to study the negative effect slavery and Jim Crow had on blacks, whites, and America as a whole; 2) fighting racism in America and 3) researching the culture that was stripped away from the African slaves (what was left behind).

There are clearly many racist on Yahoo Answers.

Answer 3

There are two problems with black people seeking money for something that happened so long ago. First of all, it reinforces stereotypes about them.

Most importantly (and I know this is a sensitive issue), it was slavery that brought them here. So technically, especially if we're forced to pay them billions of dollars, shouldn't they have to go back to their "native country"? It seems like standing on both sides of the fence to enjoy the benefits of this country while howling about how it so wronged you, and you wouldn't be here is the wrong hadn't occurred. And, trust me, we all know it was so very, very wrong.

Two other quick points. One, most black people were sold into slavery by other black people. Two, other initial classes of immigrants lived in near slavery conditions, like when the Chinese first came over here. I know it's not the same thing, but maybe they should get a little money, too? And what about what we did to the Indians? Hell, let's just give everybody millions of dollars for anything bad that happened to their ancestors.

It's time to move on, to look toward the future and how we can be more united and work together to solve current societal issues.

Answer 4

Ok. I didn't even need to read the article in its entirety. I'm Caucasian and I am strongly AGAINST compensation to African Americans for slavery that took place LONG BEFORE I was born. Why should I pay for something that happened to a black person 100+ years ago? It's ridiculous. I mean, why aren't we paying compensation to.....HELLLLLOOOO......JEWS????? Or to Russians, for what Stalin did to them? Because it didn't happen on American soil? So What? Slavery didn't originate in theory or practice on American soil. I believe AFRICA had a tad bit to do with making slavery the "in" thing. Good Grief.

Answer 5

to the dumb **** above me..."most black people were sold into slavery by other black people" where did you get that fact? take a black history course sometime in your life and you'll find out that yes, some africans were traded by other africans but for reasons they were unable to help...for instance, only after the whites that came over started friction between two tribes and promised the smaller tribes guns in exchange for slaves in order to help their chances of winning a war between the two tribes...but "most black people"...you're an idiot that just likes to hear himself talk...or watch himself type...'what about what we did to the indians" the country also gave the indians reparations later on down the line....dumb ****. "its time to solve current societal issues..." maybe than can be solved if the playing field was made equal...you can't free slaves and give them nothing and expect them "over time" to catch up and equalize with the rest of society. that's bullshii.

Answer 6

My what a hostile group! Understand reparations. I cannot speak for a group. But, I am speaking from my prospective.
I DO NOT CARE ABOUT AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, LET ALONE SPEAK ON WELFARE. I AM NOT ABOUT THE NEGATIVITY!
Yes! Reparation is imminent and does go beyond the yesteryear slavery that you are thinking in reference to.
Reparation would exclude those who chose to sit on there lazy do-nothing ***, feeling sorry for themselves. I'm not feeling there fake pain.
This particular subject can go on and on. Think about your actions and why, the closed mind.

Answer 7

Compare this to some of the ideas placed before the Germans by the Nazi party as they were climbing into their seat of power. This is socialist crap and it scares the bejeebers out of me. Please look at history and see how the most terrible regimes came to power. It was through popularized agendas like this one.

Answer 8

If they give these ignorant bastards a nickel I will do whatever I can to leave this stupid country.

Politicians will eat this s h i t up. When will it ever end?