Many African Americans feel that it should.
2007-10-01 01:45:25 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
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.
2007-10-02 16:17:41 · answer #1 · answered by Carl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Another non issue for Republicans to rant about. There's no big movement for reparations now. When have you seen rallies and protests demanding reparations on the news? You haven't. Reparations are a pipe dream. Not only that but affirmative action and voting rights are being undermined with hardly a whimper.
2007-10-01 02:08:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hell to the no. If there where any survivors of slavery Id say yes but I don't have any former slaves in my family and doubt anyone does! I wouldn't trade places with my ancestors here , but looking at things in Africa now with all the things that are going on I wouldn't live there for anything. It was a blessing of sorts that my fore bearers where brought here in chains, I thank god that they survived the ordeal i pray they have received their reward in heaven and I thank God I was born in the USA . and not some war torn famine stricken dirt hole . I got my reparation I'm a citizen of the greatest nation on earth And there is no hyphenation in my self description I am American.
2007-10-01 02:01:33 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Actually, I think that African Americans that can trace their bloodlines to Slavery should reimburse the United States for the loss of revenue we suffered when they were freed and became a financial liability to the government. I think $75,000.00 per freed slave should work. Since the families have grown, they can share the burden and it should not be more than a couple of thou per person. You present it to them, see what they think.
2016-04-06 22:18:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, of course they should pay. More Africans died during slavery than the Holocaust but the West makes more noise about the the Holocaust. We are not even allowed to make this kind of comparism. Any observation about the Holocaust is a crime.
2007-10-01 01:55:03 · answer #5 · answered by aminu2763 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Only if they take the money and leave the United States with no chance of ever coming back. But where would they go? Africa dont want their lazy azzes. Liberia is in the middle of a 30 + year old civil war. I dont care anymore.... take the money and Bon Voyagie!
2007-10-01 01:54:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think any African American who was forced into slavery, and is still alive, should be paid some sort of reparations. Anyone else even thinking about seeking them is just looking for free money at taxpayer expense........
2007-10-01 01:49:25 · answer #7 · answered by Brian 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋
BLACKS who feel they should get paid for being ancestors of slaves are a dissilussioned bunch. How can one stand a chance of getting a cash reward for something they weren't born during???
Bottom line: they have NO chance to win in this endavor. Work an honest days work if you want $$$$.
2007-10-01 01:50:43 · answer #8 · answered by Mr. Wizard 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well,then they'll have to bill Africa too,because African chiefs sold their own people. Plus,Arabs had a humongous slave trade.
BTW,I'm thinking of billing the Romans for something.
2007-10-01 01:49:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Not until they find one that is still alive and was owned as a slave.
Why should they get paid for someone elses suffering?.
Should I be paid because something bad happened long before me or anyone else alive today was even born?
2007-10-01 01:50:06 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋