Why would American people pay reparations?

Question

As black history month begins I have begin to think on this topic. Why would Americans, white ones at least, be pushed to pay money to black families when A) they no longer are enslaved B) no one in over 100 years has been enslaved and C) when we did enslave people, we did not actually do it, in the case of Africans, their own nobility would sell their lower class citizens (later it would be any class) to the europeans. My question is why would Americans pay when all they did was buy what was then property when the peoples of the Ivory Coast do not pay a dime to the enslaved peoples descendants?

Answer 1

They wouldn't...willingly, and if forced to provide reparations to ANYONE, the taxpayers would more than likely revolt.(or they should).
Black people were not the only ones that came in chains to the United States, and by addressing reparations for them one would also have to give compensation to all indentured servants as well. The American economy could not provide substantial repayment to every descendant (even if they could prove their eligibility) of every one of these people that were enslaved...to suggest that it could would be ludicrous.
This issue was conceived by hate mongers to create stress among the races....and should be dismissed.

Answer 2

I think this issue so silly - a real slippery slope.

Many African Americans are better off then I am and though I would never begrudge them for it, I could just as well complain that they are delving into my share and should be deported back to Africa.

Plus, they are much better off existing within the United States of today then Somalia or, some other third world, drought ridden, AIDS/disease infested African nation plagued by political unrest with no educational opportunities, medical care, food or, civil order.

So, what exactly is the problem?

Answer 3

America would not be the wealthy country it is today if not for slavery. Without that horrible institution, cotton and tobacco and shipping and everything that went along with it would not have happened. Had those workers been paid instead of enslaved, those industries would not have been profitable. Therefore the country would not have developed economically as it did. Had America not developed into a strong economic center, it would likely have fallen back to the British.

Ironically, slavery in America would have ended about 60 years earlier if it had fallen back to the British.

All of the industries, banks, government, roads, infrastructure, etc. that we enjoy today would not exist without the wealth that slavery allowed for America. Take a look at England's other colonies (the ones that didn't gain freedom) and see where they are today. It is likely we would have followed a similar pattern of growth had we continued to belong to England.

So ... why should Americans pay reparations? Because those workers of long ago were not paid which allowed our country to exist as we know it today. We have our freedom, wealth, and a thousand other blessings because of the forced labor of those who gave their lives working for it. Their decendents should be acknowledged and rewarded, if not directly paid.

Answer 4

They wouldn't! Americans don't owe black families any more than they owe the white ones who came to America as indentured servants. We didn't enslave them, as you pointed out, and we owe them nothing. If reparations were to be made it would only be to quite those black people who wrongly believe that there is something owed to them and it would only be done to shut them up. I know this doesn't really answer your questions, sorry. This topic just bugs the crap out of me.

Answer 5

The Eagles say it best!!
Lyrics for: Get Over It

I turn on the tube and what do I see
a whole lotta people crying 'don't blame me'
they point their crooked little fingers at everybody else
spend all their time feeling sorry for themselves
victim of this, victim of that
your momma's too thin and your daddy's too fat

get over it get over it
all this whining and crying and pitching a fit
get over it get over it

you say you haven't been the same since you had your little crash
but you might feel better if I gave you some cash
the more I think about it, old Billy was right
let's kill all the lawyers, kill 'em tonight
you don't want to work, you want to live like a king
but the big, bad world doesn't owe you a thing

get over it get over it
if you don't want to play, then you might as well split
get over it, get over it

it's like going to confession every time I hear you speak
you're making the most of your losing streak
some call it sick, but I call it weak
yeah yeah yeah

yeah you drag it around like a ball and chain
you wallow in the guilt you wallow in the pain
you wave it like a flag, you wear it like a crown
got your mind in the gutter, bringing everybody down
you ***** about the present and blame it on the past
I'd like to find your inner child and kick its little ***

get over it get over it
all this bitching and moaning and pitching a fit
get over it, get over it

get over it get over it
it's gotta stop sometime, so why don't you quit
get over it, get over it

Answer 6

I don't agree with your argument...however. My family was brought here in 1877 by a tough slave owner....and I am white....as an Irish American, I sympathize with this question, but don't understand the difference between indentured slaves vs. forced....can I get money somehow because my family was brought here against their will....?? .. let it go...make yourself better than your argument ... that's what I did, and in a way, I'm glad my people ended up in the US....

Answer 7

it's impossible for them to do that. it would believe that it would be unconstitutional and very difficult to trace back americans that had ancestors who were slave owners and americans that had ancestors that were slaves. there's already controversy over affirmative action, so what would make anyone think that theyd actually take money from white people and give it to blacks for something that took no part in. hell would freeze over before that happens, so why even bring up the topic? to me its just an excuse for an open forum for people to talk about how lazy black america is.

Answer 8

Could I get child support from an English Lord for raping my Scottish mother some 700 years ago?

Answer 9

this is crazy ,,,,,it was so long ago any way ,,,its like me asking to be payed because my great great grandad suffered ,how bloody silly ,,,no you shouldnt pay,this should be brought to light with your goverment ,its terrible ,,,enslaved peoples descendants hehehehe its pathetic ,,,,,you didnt make them slaves for god sake you werent even born ,,,,this needs to stop ,,and now ,,,,im sure you will have many people behind you on this ,,good luck ,,,but you wont need it lol.

Answer 10

Payment would be made by america only if its presidents decision to do so were upheld in a court of law and that president wanted to commit political suicide.