NJ considers apology for slavery Part 4 - 1.3.2008.4

Concluded from NJ considers apology for slavery Part 3...

Should New Jersey, Georgia, Missouri, and every single state (with the exception of perhaps Hawaii and Alaska) make an apology, I think so. Each and every one has benefited and could not exist without the efforts of slaves and Jim Crow era African Americans.

Should the American government make an apology? I cannot see a justification why it has not already. Nor can I find a single reason why reparations have not been made as precedence exists.

“Yet reparations have been made to Japanese Americans and Native American Indians, at least to some degree."

and a means of reparation exists. Not only the one I outlined at Black & White Blog (where I am co-author), which was challenged and questioned as any controversial idea should be – but it must be discussed, but also elsewhere.

We can do a lot of things. But the first thing must be acknowledging the wrongs done and APOLOGIZING for them. And along with that must be the major media and news covering this issue and presenting it to the American public.

Skeletons in the closet may be a reality of life, but they never benefit anyone. They always come out, and in doing so strife is usually attached when they are forced out against our will. There is no difference in governments and people in this regard.

Seattle Slim asks about reparations - 10.10.2007.1

In response to Seattle Slim's comment on Reparations I decided to place this as a post rather than a comment due to length. You can find the original post at Black & White Blog, where I am a co-author, as well as here.

Thank you Seattle Slim Of The Beatniks for your comments and reading the post. I always enjoy hearing from my readers and their comments on the issues I cover here.

To address your comments:

I agree that there still are many in America that believe African Americans are unequal and in need of ‘protection’. Obviously the media, in all forms from news to movies, portray very negative images that compound this feeling in many individuals. But I do feel that there is also an understanding that Black Americans hold a great deal of power as well.

Democrats directly pander to African Americans as a voting block, though they do not seem to be as concerned about issues they were elected on. Businesses directly understand the power of African American money, and target us constantly. And many professions that were virtually ‘White only’ are now somewhat mixed.

All of these things can and need to be improved, but some understanding of the impact of African Americans on the economy and politics of this nation is known. We just need to focus that power.

As for the Black slave-owners, I don’t have an accurate answer. I realize that there were Black slaveowners, but to my admittedly limited knowledge on this subject, though I am under the understanding that this was a small group holding a minor number of slaves for a far shorter duration. They definitely did not maintain power, as they had no legal rights and could not vote either.

I would say that they had no right to any reparations, just as White slave owners did not. Where it could be proven, their descendants would not be eligible as the reparations are due to African American slaves and the work they provided.

As for the question of help, yes I think it does. This is a difficult question and one of the main ones used against the concept of reparations. I feel it helps on several levels.

This would provide a salve to the wound that slavery made in this nation. It is both the admission of guilt by the nation, and a recognition of the suffering felt by millions over centuries. It gives the descendants of victims of slavery, and those who suffered under segregation, racism, violence and the like a means to ‘come to peace’ with what they endured.

It is not a cure all. But it does remove some of the racial tension that envelopes this country. It can be a means of having productive conversations and debates. It brings racial inequalities to the surface and thus forces them to be dealt with on both sides of this issue. It would remove excuses from Blacks and Whites on the conditions some live under.

It would still take a great deal of effort to improve America and the race issues that are inherent in daily life. But it’s a means by which steps forward can be taken.

Remember, an apology must come with the reparations. One must recognize what is wrong to apologize for it. The reparations are just a means to make the apology sink in and not be hollow. Kind of like scolding a child and then giving them a slap on the ass. It makes the point hit home.

As for the money itself, there is nothing stopping anyone from pooling funds to improve neighborhoods or provide college funds. Local communities could easily use the funds for whatever is the best choice and greatest need.

But I feel this has to be an individual effort. Reliance on the Government to institute and maintain these changes is both infeasible and counter-productive. To date efforts by the Government have not gone to improve our local communities but to maintain them at the current standards. And like water sitting still that causes stagnation.

Plus personal interaction with personal funds has always seemed to have the most positive effect in my experience. When it’s your money going to improve the neighborhood, you feel pride and connection to that area. When it’s your local community providing your college tuition you have another impetus to do better and finish with a degree. When it’s your parents’ money painting the schools and buying new books, you will want to take care of their condition more.

That is not to say these things don’t happen now, just that with added attention and direct connection the intensity increases exponentially. At least that is my experience.

If reparations, and an apology, are viewed from that stance I feel their can be no argument against them. I feel deeply there is no historical or practical reason to prevent it. And the positive effects, if done in a manner similar to what I have mentioned, are as powerful as they are beneficial. Not only to African Americans, but all of America.

Even so, I do not claim my vision is perfect. But if discussion of this leads to an even better plan and outcome, I’m happy.

I hope this addresses your concerns and thoughts about my views on reparations. What are yours? How would you resolve it? What do you think should be done?