Why can't black people recieve their reparations? The Jews did.?

Question

The last couple of years. I have stayed up on the current events. I also did some research. The government has paid the families of the hollocust victims and even the victims of the atomic bomb in japan, what was rightfully owed to them. Why not to any blacks? Their great,great grandparents were slaves. They suffered and died for what. Our freedom. But are we really free? Blacks have nothing to show for all that we've been through. I know those slave masters had insurance on each of their slaves. Where all that money go? That's why white folk are so rich. where do you think the lottery winnings come from. (I know) Take a guess.

Answer 1

I think one difference between slavery and the Holocaust is that many perpetrators of the Holocaust are still alive, as are the victims. The companies that were involved in Nazi Germany are still in existence. I don't know how many pre-Civil War era companies were involved in slavery. I'm sure there are a few that survived, but they are likely few and far between. With slavery, none of the perpetrators are alive anymore. They have been long dead and gone. Not all white people living here in the US are even descendants of slave holders. Many families here immigrated here during one of the many immigration waves that occurred post-Civil War. Who do you suggest should pay reparations? How would the government determine who contributes? If the government just gave a chunk of its money for reparations it would be money that it collected in taxes from white, black, Asian, Mexican, Irish, German, Americans, etc. Thus the contributors, many of whom have no ties to slavery in this country, even through bloodlines, would be paying into the kitty. There is no feasible and fair way to do it. Also, throughout history entire nations, peoples, and citizens have been wronged. In fact many African nations were involved in the trading of slaves from opposing nations. We can't change the past. If we could I'd be the first in line to accept reparations from the Catholic Church, the French, etc. Some of my family were Protestant Irish. Many others were English. If I go back far enough I can find many ancestors who had bad sh*t done to them, especially women. Women didn't have the freedoms that we enjoy today. Should I try to seek reparations?

As for your other complaints, I'm not sure what your point is about the lottery. Lottery winnings come from the cost of the lottery tickets. The surplus goes toward state education funds in most states.

And what do you mean that blacks have nothing to show for all of their suffering? Many blacks are leading successful, fulfilled lives. No one is holding them back or keeping them from getting an education and enjoying the great things this country has to offer. People come here from other countries with nothing and yet they manage to own property and businesses. I am not saying racism is dead. It may never be, but it is what it is. It doesn't have to define what one becomes. My husband's grandfather came here with forty dollars and died a millionaire. No one gave him any handouts.

Answer 2

It is a shame that reparations to the descendants of American slaves has become an issue, there is no foundation for such an issue. First, neither any slaves or slave holders are alive today, if they were alive there might be a case, but that doesn’t exist.

Second, the victims of the holocaust are alive and in many instances they have received reparations from the German Government. Note, the German Government, not the Government of the United States.

Those Japanese who received a form of reparations from the United States Government is legitimate for two reasons, those victims are yet alive and the acts against them were initiated by the United States Government.

Of course there are those who use that slavery of their antecedents as an excuse for not being what they want to be today. That might be meaningful if it were not for the fact that there is a Black middle class and wealthy class that have done very well, accomplished much, and contribute a great deal to the country.

Then there are those (not black) who’s ancestors came to this country as indentured servants. Certainly not slaves in the technical sense but people who lives very much the same.

In fact slave holders didn't have insurance on their slaves. That was one of the problems of ending slavery. Because of the high investment in the slaves they could not afford to let them just go without destroying their economy. Today we may consider this as dispicable but the reality is that this was a real hadicap to ending slavery and it existed in part due to no insurance.

Your referance to the lottery makes no sense at all.

Finally, there is another fact that the deaths of more than 650,000 white people resulted in the end of the system of American slavery. Some might consider that a form of a reparation cost, but hey, there only lives not money.

Answer 3

The US government did not pay Holocaust survivors reparations, since they were not at fault.
If you can find someone who is a slave let the government know and I'm sure they could give them some benefits.
As for blacks, they get more than their share of benefits in the form of job preferences and civil rights groups on their side.
As for why blacks have nothing to show for what they've been through you may want to ask them. Perhaps they didn't take advantage of the benefits offered to them. Maybe because it's cooler and more acceptable in their community to act like a thug, go to prison and ditch their kids than to work, earn and be responsible citizens.
Here's a little secret- whites weren't always rich. They worked for it and didn't expect handouts. Why should whites give them what they didn't earn? Life isn't about taking from others, it's about earning. Why do blacks deserve something they didn't work for? Everyone was oppressed at one time or another. If we gave "reparations" to everyone we'd all be broke.

The fact that many blacks are no better off than their great great grandparents is a disgrace. Every generation should be better off than the one before it. The fact that they're not says a lot. Maybe it's this culture of victimization and entitlement that is so prevalent. But go ahead, keep blaming *white folk*. That will help you get out of where you are.

Answer 4

The Jewish people receiving reparations actually were there suffering their fate. Their mother and fathers did not sell them into slavery and I know of non slaves alive today! Besides that it would not be a week until they are claiming something else is wrong. You know that the Hispanics in the West and in Florida have to be separated from blacks in school, prison and even housing. It seems they are tired of hearing whining. The question is what happens when the problems reaches New York?

Answer 5

Probably but there are many minorities who have done great things with the little that they've had, I believe anything is possible. Thus if one ever decides to take time to apply energy towards progression in your life, things will start to look up. it's the option each of us has. Where there's a will there's a way. It may be more effort than any minority we will have needed to go through without some form of oppression but it still can be done. It's a question of how bad one wants it. Oprah is a good example. As for the readers. Try not to hold anything against anyone for their views. We're all simply products of our environment. Life is best when we have open minds and forgiving attitudes.

Answer 6

I have an ancestor who fought for the Union in the Civil War. He was a prisoner of war & died in Andersonville Prison. Would that qualify as an exemption from what would likely be an increase in my Federal taxes?

Answer 7

Because the ones who actually deserved it, the actual slaves, are long since dead. Just like the indian families who were slaughtered in the "Wild West".... if we try to pay everyone for wrongs done to them in past history, this nation would go broke.

Answer 8

first of all, not all white people are rich...i am by no means rich...in fact, i practically live in a box for an apt. my ancestors worked on the underground railroad risking their lives for their beliefs...what do I owe then? ps...lottery winnings come from the money spent on buying the lotto tickets. as far as where all the money went...ask our ignorant president who has spent over 400 billion $ on this war....no one is getting the money they deserve!

Answer 9

Tell you what, find me an ex-slave and I will stand beside you to demand reparations for them.

Oh, one more thing: I'm white, and not rich.

Answer 10

Where are blacks better off, in America or Africa?
That's enough answer for me.