I don't know about reparations but...?

Question

Should America apologize to African Americans for enslaving their ancestors?
Should Africans (not African Americans) be compensated for slavery?
If not, what about the Native Americans who were slaves?

And what about the Native Americans who held slaves?

What can be done by America today to make-up for its murderous past ? Anything? Nothing?

Is this whole conversation long overdue? Or should it just be ignored since it happened so long ago?

Should we all just forgive and forget? Or should something be done to help us all remember?

Where do you stand on the issues of African slavery today?

Answer 1

What do you mean it's murderous "PAST"? There are significant questions we should be asking NOW; issues that, arguably, seem to perpetuate the same mentality of the issues you're asking about; the mindset of selfish self-entitlement.
I appreciate the significance of your question. I also acknowledge the horrible and shameful side of our country's history. Those events have shaped all of us, whether we have sincerely examined this or not... as do current issues.
Fast forward to say, 2027, (20 years)...what will be asking about, as far as apologies to certain people, countries, etc.? How will we remember these years? With shame and embarrassment? With pride? What will we go down in history for?
We can't change the past. We can try to heal from it, by reaching out and sincerely opening ourselves up. However, we MUST understand that we are a part of today's history. How will we play a role in shaping the future?

I just read the answer posted before mine. Great points! Should we expect our future ansestors to answer for OUR choices?

Case in point:Jim C's "answer"!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! (Banging on desk!)

And don't let people with a screenname that sounds like some adaption of "oral" distract the discussion. People of "HIS kind" will also always exist, poor things. It's an overused diversion to getting real answers. Kudos for getting all thinking.

Answer 2

First of all, let me start by saying that slavery is WRONG! I will not argue that, however, why should we as Americans today have to pay other Americans for something that was done over 400 years ago. If there are any slaves who are still alive, I would be more than happy to compensate them, but since there are not, can we try to stop beating a dead horse. I know it's not the same, because my people came here willingly(THE IRISH), but when we came here, we were treated horribly, couldn't get jobs, no respect, we were considered the (and excuse me SO much for using this) N###### of Europe, and had to fight for everything we have, when my great grandparents came here, they came with nothing and were treated very poorly, oh could my Nana tell you some stories, but we made the best of what we had, and built ourselves up by not focusing on our past and trying to do better for our future. I think it's time everyone else does the same. NO ONE alive today is owed anything, aren't there enough handouts with Social Services in this country? (AND I DON'T MEAN TO BLACKS, BECAUSE WHERE I LIVE THE MAJORITY OF RECIPIENTS OF WELFARE ARE WHITE) I think people all need to stop looking for free money and just GET A JOB!!!!!!!!

Answer 3

Considering how much "your people" whored on the taxpayer's dime after Katrina my question to you is "Where do I send the bill?"

You people use "slavery" and "my ancestor's" as a damn crutch everytime any of you fall on hard times, or in reality for that matter.

Stop whining and listen to one of your own (Bill Cosby) for once, pull up your pants, stop listening to music that glorifies murder and get an education, and realize that welfare was only meant as a temporary solution, not a permanent one. And stop naming your kids "boonqeefa" or "sadeekwa" or any other cornball african name, your *** isn't from Africa it's from this country (unfortunately)

My stance on slavery is that we need to board up all you blacks and send you back to where you came from, and watch as the crime rate dips back down into mayberryesque levels.

Wanna ***** and moan about being slaves and all that?? Well then go back home if your a true "African"

Answer 4

Every group in the United States has been discriminated against in history. The Irish, the Germans, the Mormons, the Chinese, the Japanese,,,it goes on and on. I think that what has happened in the past should be used to make sure it does not happen in the future. However, instead of looking for a pardon, something should be incorporated in order to formally acknowledge the struggles of each group and figure out how to overcome the tragedies of the past that still plague us in the present.

Answer 5

Actually, the Bible tells us that slavery is ok. It even tells us how we should treat slaves and how slaves should behave.

So, unless you are an Athiest, you shouldn't be against slavery. An' I know I'm goin' to heaven.

Answer 6

I think we need to look where we're we're headed and not where we've been.