(no subject)
Reparation is defined as a compensation for a wrong in the past usually in the form of a monetary payment. Should the United States government pay economic restitution to the descendents of American slaves? This question brings up a sensitive and very controversial issue ever since slavery has ended. The reality is that no amounts of reparations can makeup for the past. No amounts of money can erase the past events and help victims who suffered.
Who created slavery? Slavery was present in our society for hundreds of years. The issue of slavery was not solely a black and white issue. In the past, there had been Black Africans who enslaved fellow black Africans. Blacks were not the only victims and Whites were not the only victimizers. People did horrible things to one another and it wasn’t only based on what their background was. Slavery has come to an end. This must be accepted and the descendents of slaves must move on without the monetary reparations. The United States would rather focus on helping young blacks compete successfully in the job market instead of issues that are in the past.
Why should the United States government pay reparations to the descendents of American slaves? If the government agreed to pay restitution to the descendents they would be paying people who did not experience slavery. How could the government determine who deserves the monetary reparations? The blacks would have to affirm that their ancestors were apart of the slavery in the United States and must embark on a study process to identify their heritage. It would be difficult for African Americans to trace their history before 1865 and the end of slavery. Locating their history would be difficult because slaves' names were not listed in the census. If they wanted to continue to trace their history, they would need to go into the county courthouse and look through the historical records of wills and probate and marriage records, and find the owners of these slaves. Identifying the actual descendants of the slaves would be a large, difficult task which is unnecessary for our government to deal with. To discover the levels of actual victimization would be impossible.
Where would the money come from? The money to pay for the economic restitution of descendants of American slaves would come from US tax dollars. African Americans have paid taxes and would be paying themselves the reparations. This would defeat the entire purpose. It is not fair for the citizens of the United States to have to pay taxes which would go towards black reparations. The descendents of white abolitionists and soldiers in the Union Army might be taxed to fund reparations despite the sacrifices their ancestors already made to end slavery. The majority of Americans’ ancestors were not in this country during the time of the black enslavement so why should they have to pay for the wrong doings of others? For many years, African Americans didn’t pay taxes which amounted to billions of dollars the United States government doesn’t have now. African Americans aren’t the only ethnic group which has suffered. Paying their descendents reparations would conclude with many other ethnic groups demanding economic restitution as well. Bribing the descendents of American slaves attempting to erase the problems of the past is an insult to the many families of the people who died during slavery. The government cannot simply solve the problems from the past by paying money. If the government decides to pay reparations to the descendents, they would be taking on the responsibility for slavery.
Hasn’t America done enough? Land reparations were received by African-Americans in the past. In 1865, after the Confederate States of America were defeated in the American Civil War, General William Tecumseh Sherman issued Special Field Orders, No. 15. This set aside tracts of land in the sea islands and around Charleston, South Carolina for the exclusive use of Black people who had been enslaved. The NAACP will be pursuing reparations from companies that have historical ties to slavery and engaging all parties to come to the table.
Prior to the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, slavery was not illegal. No crime was committed and there is no legal foundation that orders that government to compensate the descendants of slaves. Should the United States government give a formal apology to the descendents of the American slaves? An apology would be appropriate but an apology may lead others to think that they are taking the responsibility for slavery. If the government took responsibility for slavery, descendents of the American slaves would sue in civil suits demanding monetary payment.
Reparations to the descendents of slaves would not be a solution to the problem slavery caused. The descendants
The United States government doesn’t have the money to begin to solve everyone’s problems. The resolution involves equality and change in order for everyone to be treated equal and alike.
Who created slavery? Slavery was present in our society for hundreds of years. The issue of slavery was not solely a black and white issue. In the past, there had been Black Africans who enslaved fellow black Africans. Blacks were not the only victims and Whites were not the only victimizers. People did horrible things to one another and it wasn’t only based on what their background was. Slavery has come to an end. This must be accepted and the descendents of slaves must move on without the monetary reparations. The United States would rather focus on helping young blacks compete successfully in the job market instead of issues that are in the past.
Why should the United States government pay reparations to the descendents of American slaves? If the government agreed to pay restitution to the descendents they would be paying people who did not experience slavery. How could the government determine who deserves the monetary reparations? The blacks would have to affirm that their ancestors were apart of the slavery in the United States and must embark on a study process to identify their heritage. It would be difficult for African Americans to trace their history before 1865 and the end of slavery. Locating their history would be difficult because slaves' names were not listed in the census. If they wanted to continue to trace their history, they would need to go into the county courthouse and look through the historical records of wills and probate and marriage records, and find the owners of these slaves. Identifying the actual descendants of the slaves would be a large, difficult task which is unnecessary for our government to deal with. To discover the levels of actual victimization would be impossible.
Where would the money come from? The money to pay for the economic restitution of descendants of American slaves would come from US tax dollars. African Americans have paid taxes and would be paying themselves the reparations. This would defeat the entire purpose. It is not fair for the citizens of the United States to have to pay taxes which would go towards black reparations. The descendents of white abolitionists and soldiers in the Union Army might be taxed to fund reparations despite the sacrifices their ancestors already made to end slavery. The majority of Americans’ ancestors were not in this country during the time of the black enslavement so why should they have to pay for the wrong doings of others? For many years, African Americans didn’t pay taxes which amounted to billions of dollars the United States government doesn’t have now. African Americans aren’t the only ethnic group which has suffered. Paying their descendents reparations would conclude with many other ethnic groups demanding economic restitution as well. Bribing the descendents of American slaves attempting to erase the problems of the past is an insult to the many families of the people who died during slavery. The government cannot simply solve the problems from the past by paying money. If the government decides to pay reparations to the descendents, they would be taking on the responsibility for slavery.
Hasn’t America done enough? Land reparations were received by African-Americans in the past. In 1865, after the Confederate States of America were defeated in the American Civil War, General William Tecumseh Sherman issued Special Field Orders, No. 15. This set aside tracts of land in the sea islands and around Charleston, South Carolina for the exclusive use of Black people who had been enslaved. The NAACP will be pursuing reparations from companies that have historical ties to slavery and engaging all parties to come to the table.
Prior to the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, slavery was not illegal. No crime was committed and there is no legal foundation that orders that government to compensate the descendants of slaves. Should the United States government give a formal apology to the descendents of the American slaves? An apology would be appropriate but an apology may lead others to think that they are taking the responsibility for slavery. If the government took responsibility for slavery, descendents of the American slaves would sue in civil suits demanding monetary payment.
Reparations to the descendents of slaves would not be a solution to the problem slavery caused. The descendants
The United States government doesn’t have the money to begin to solve everyone’s problems. The resolution involves equality and change in order for everyone to be treated equal and alike.