Reverse discrimination?

Question

Some black folk tend to believe that the white man "owes" them something or should feel shamed over equal rights and slavery.
Question:
Does anyone know (with references) what percentage of the white community is an actual descendant of a slave owner in America?

For example, my great grandparents settled here in 1915. Long after slave ownership was abolished.

I can't find anywhere that would give me this information. Census ect.

I have no point about reverse discrimination. Just didn't know what else to title it.
I wasn't trying to point fingers here. I'm just looking for stats. I know MOST black folk don't feel this way towards whites... but to the ones who do... it's frustrating.

I understand the desire for reparations and an apology, BUT FROM WHO???
You can't dig up the graves of the slave owners and get money or an apology can you? Besides, why do people want reparations for something that didn't happen to THEM??? It's all really confusing to me.
No one is trying to erase history, but at the same time, it belongs in the history books yet it's still thrown in our face as if it's current-events.

Anyway this is all off the subject. I am looking for some numbers here. Percentange of the white population that have slave-owner ancestors, please. Anyone have a clue about this?

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

I think its silly that people use the term "reverse discrimination". Discrimination doesn't JUST mean showing prejudice towards black people, its showing prejudice towards anyone. Reverse discrimination would actually be-not showing prejudice towards a people.

As for your question, maybe you shouldn't feel ashamed, but I do believe that there is nothing wrong with black Americans who are descendants of slaves being owed something. Black Americans are the only group of people who were severely wronged and never given any reparations. Jewish people and Native Americans (not all) have been given reparations for atrocities they and their ancestors have endured, yet Black Americans have received nothing. I'm not saying money is an answer, but being someone of African descent, our ethnicity hasn't even received an apology.
Don't feel bad if your ancestors weren't involved. Don't even feel bad if they were because that is not a reflection of the person you are--but there is nothing wrong with wanting something that is deserved.

Answer 3

I had relatives here well before slavery was abolished. Looking through census records, however, I have yet to find one that owned slaves. Slaves were owned by a relative few people, as many owned hundreds (or perhaps thousands).

Also, how could whites owe blacks anything? Even if my grandfather owned slaves, why should I have to pay up? Since when do we pay for the sins of our ancestors? Heck, we cannot even be put to prison if our children (descendants) commit crimes, so how could be held responsible for the crimes of our ancestors?

Furthermore, I had relatives fight, and DIE, for the Union army during the Civil War. Should I be owed anything? Just think of the lost (potential) wages and wealth of my killed relatives.

Answer 4

you are not responsible for whatever reasons you can justify,but this country was founded on slavery,oppression,and segregation and you cannot erase 400 years of history. every non-black person seems to have an opinion about black folks yet and still they can never give me a straight answer as to why the black race, particularly in amerikka, is the way it is. slavery in it's physical and legal form does not exist today,but the psychological effects will endure generation after generation. but of course you whites will always think that b/c I'm telling the truth that i hate you and/or blaming you. think what you will,but knowledge is power and the truth shall set you free.

Answer 5

You never said where the reverse discrimination came in

Answer 6

The thing is that When Slavery ended it wasnt all peaches and Cream and their was no oops my bad we were wrong yall should not have been slaves....Rather then that it was pure hatred from most whites toward blacks...Their are many written quotes from slaves staying that life was worse after slavery....It didnt end with slavery just because ur parents didnt own slaves means nothing....hatred towards blacks was the real problem if u check out History...Read some old slaves biographys once they were freed...Whites were just plain mean...

Answer 7

I don't believe white people owe me Jack Sh** I've worked hard to put my self through college and get a dgree and a good Job. It's sad when black people put themselves in a position to fail and they blame white people. I've had un-fortunate things happen to me and the fact that I'm black didn't halp the situation. But what doens't kill me, only makes me stronger. Sorry I don't knw the answer to your question though.

Answer 8

I dont think you owe me anything and you dont have to answer to me or any other blacks its all good buddy because all of those who cant coexist with Gods children peacefully will probably have a whole different set of worries when death calls....

luv ya,
BROTHER

Answer 9

It is absolutely ludicrous for blacks today to feel that whites today owe them something for things that happened in the past. I am NOT respopnsible for my predecessor's actions!

Answer 10

You know... Africans sold their own people to America...