What form should reparations take, if there are to be reparations?

Question

Money to individuals? Money to organizations and programs? Policies? Public memory activities/ceremonies? Public apologies?

Answer 1

Obviously, there shouldn't be reparations.

Nobody alive today was a victim of or responsible for *AMERICAN* slavery. (To the person below me: Way to miss the point!) The real question is, who pays for these reparations? Descendants of slave owners? That's a violation of the Constitution ("corruption of blood"). Guilt can't pass through genes, and neither should financial obligations. The government? That's just punishing Americans alive today. And how do you go about figuring out who is a descendant of a slave? Not every black person in the US had a slave ancestor. Also, how can we allow anyone to collect a debt for an activity that was legal? That's ex-post facto.

Answer 2

Ancient history. I don't think it will ever happen. There are two many voids in the whole idea that an entire country is responsible for what happened long ago and which in fact was originally perpetrated upon the soil of the country from which these unfortunate individuals originated from and by the hands of their own people and other regional tribes. The Europeans as well have a great stake in the responsibility of what happened which is not limited to this one country or a particular time in history. Throughout history mankind has dominated and oppressed others. The custom that was once an acceptable practice is history and that is where it belongs. We as a global community have learned and have grown from all the historic events throughout time. Let's continue to learn, grow, and look forward to a world where such things could never be imagined. The more we squabble the more we impose bitterness and impede our efforts to live together in peace.

Answer 3

The whole idea of "slavery reparations" is total heifer dust!

I dare say the last former slave and former slaveowner died 40 years ago at least.

There is no way to finance "reparations" without bankrupting the government and taxing all non-blacks into abject poverty.

Some rabble-rousers are painting rosy pictures of every black person in the USA being rich, maybe even millionaires from "reparations." If the government gets that stupic, look for a Coke and a pack of potato chips to cost $250,000.00.

While we are talking about reparations, I want reparations for the destruction of my ancestral home by the Yankee Army and theft of lands by Reconstruction Era Carpetbaggers. I also want reparations for the slaughter of my Cherokee and Creek antecessors, and theft of their lands. I want reparations from the British Government for slaughtering the members of Clan MacDonald at Culloden, and forcing some of my ancestors off their lands and into slavery. And as a descendant of Owen Glendaur, I demand independence for Wales and for a member of my family to be invested as Prince of Wales. Sounds silly doesn't it? So does the concept of "slavery reparations."

Answer 4

because the statue of limitations has run out. AND to boot there is not any man or woman left alive that develop into harmed to pay it to. What about the Africans who captured the human beings who were inslaved and offered to the Europeans? shouldn't they be protected contained in the deal? The Europeans merely did the delivery. The Africans did the catching. i'm not particular many might want to bypass alongside with this theory. i comprehend i'd not. How about as reparations the Europeans repatriate the progeny of slaves back to Africa? Will that provide you the outcomes you want?

Answer 5

Certain reperations can directly assist people(s) who were immediately affected, others can assist following generations - you'd have to give more info on exactly which reparations you are alluding to. I certainly do not agree with the statement "nobody alive today is a victim or perpertrator by slavery" - slavery still exists all around the world.