The core philosophy behind the reparations argument is that the evils of slavery did not magically end when they took the chains off. The legacy of slavery did not die with the last generation of enslaved blacks. The reparations argument is important BECAUSE it's a bad idea. But only if you take it seriously can you realize that it's a bad idea, and not because it's too much, but because it's too little. The African slave trade was a deal with the devil on a global scale. The whole of Humanity dropped the ball, and to this day, humanity as a whole suffers as a result. Using reparations to address the evils of slavery is like trying to cure cancer with happy thoughts. Not very effective, but still an entire order of magnitude better than refusing to admit you have cancer.
Nothing will send me into a hot rage as quick as someone claiming that slavery was something that happened in the past, and that we today do not have any responsibility for the failings of our ancestors. It wasn't that long ago. In the grand scope of history, 142 years ago is like yesterday. Especially when you consider that after reconstruction, America realized the implications of equality, and backpedaled as much as possible, relegating blacks to a second class citizenship that wasn't truly addressed until 40 years ago. Even then, we fucked it up, and only got thing kinda right. There is still so much work to do, that even a ridiculous concept like reparations has a place at the table, if only as a reminder that there's still a lot of work to still be done.
The idealist in me says that one day, we'll all come to the realization that slavery wasnt something that white people did to black people. it's something the humans did to other humans. The entire concept of "race" is a false construct. So to use this false construct as a means to solve the problems created by this false construct...The cynic in me says that one day when we're all the same shade of beige, we'll look back and scratch our heads in confusion at the whole thing, but until then, we just have to live with the sickness.
The legacy of slavery did not die with the last generation of enslaved blacks.
Exactly -- which is why I'm for affirmative action.
Using reparations to address the evils of slavery is like trying to cure cancer with happy thoughts.
Agreed. Useless and insulting to the intelligence of those affected.
Nothing will send me into a hot rage as quick as someone claiming that slavery was something that happened in the past, and that we today do not have any responsibility for the failings of our ancestors.
Don't read the guy(s) I'm arguing against in throwingstardna, then.
The entire concept of "race" is a false construct.
YES -- I've been saying this for years. It's a cultural malapropism. There's a great book about this, in fact, called "Race In Mind".
I think affirmative action is a crock of shite as well. But you have to understand, I was raised in the Nation of Islam, and have a rampant superiority complex.
I agree completely. Income disparities in higher education are far harder to overcome at this point; this would also end the standard anti-affirmative-action schtick about rich black kids with mediocre grades "stealing" spots from "deserving" whites. Many white kids from backcountry trailer parks are just as socially and economically disadvantaged in terms of their access to education and jobs as inner city black/latino kids. And whereas there are a lot of urban programs to help, there are very few rural ones.
I like the concept of affirmative action but I also have some issues with it. However, growing up in a fairly white lower-middle class neighborhood, you don't see many people appreciating what it does. they only see it as potentially not getting a job because they are white. This leads to resentment from many people. Not saying I agree with this but I remember hearing it and seeing it from people around.
We need to figure out a better way to break away from the race thing...as you said, income rather than skin color. Until we do that, we are never gonna get away from black and white.
Nothing will send me into a hot rage as quick as someone claiming that slavery was something that happened in the past, and that we today do not have any responsibility for the failings of our ancestors. It wasn't that long ago. In the grand scope of history, 142 years ago is like yesterday. Especially when you consider that after reconstruction, America realized the implications of equality, and backpedaled as much as possible, relegating blacks to a second class citizenship that wasn't truly addressed until 40 years ago. Even then, we fucked it up, and only got thing kinda right. There is still so much work to do, that even a ridiculous concept like reparations has a place at the table, if only as a reminder that there's still a lot of work to still be done.
The idealist in me says that one day, we'll all come to the realization that slavery wasnt something that white people did to black people. it's something the humans did to other humans. The entire concept of "race" is a false construct. So to use this false construct as a means to solve the problems created by this false construct...The cynic in me says that one day when we're all the same shade of beige, we'll look back and scratch our heads in confusion at the whole thing, but until then, we just have to live with the sickness.
Reply
The legacy of slavery did not die with the last generation of enslaved blacks.
Exactly -- which is why I'm for affirmative action.
Using reparations to address the evils of slavery is like trying to cure cancer with happy thoughts.
Agreed. Useless and insulting to the intelligence of those affected.
Nothing will send me into a hot rage as quick as someone claiming that slavery was something that happened in the past, and that we today do not have any responsibility for the failings of our ancestors.
Don't read the guy(s) I'm arguing against in throwingstardna, then.
The entire concept of "race" is a false construct.
YES -- I've been saying this for years. It's a cultural malapropism. There's a great book about this, in fact, called "Race In Mind".
one day when we're all the same shade of beige
I'm already mochachino! I've got a head start!
Reply
Reply
I have minor issues with affirmative action, but overall I think it's a positive force.
Ideally, I believe it should be based on class and not race. Income instead of skin color, in other words.
That way, people who actually need it get it, and those who don't have nothing to complain about. End of story.
As for superiority complexes, I can't really talk, so...
Reply
Reply
We need to figure out a better way to break away from the race thing...as you said, income rather than skin color. Until we do that, we are never gonna get away from black and white.
Reply
Leave a comment