Who should apologize? Most of the slaveholders were in the South, which was outnumbered in population by the North. Of that South, I doubt more than 10% could afford to have slaves. Since the 1860’s, the US has had heavy European immigration, which furthur reduces the chance that a white today might’ve had slave ancestors.
I find it amazing that people accuse me of lumping all blacks together when it comes to crime, etc. Yet isn’t is just as wrong to lump all whites together when it comes to slavery, racism, etc?
Second, they want reparations. What do they mean by this? We give every black a check to cover the amount, whatever that is? How do you put a dollar figure on that? Why would you?
My question is: Haven’t we given them enough already? They have federally-funded minority scholarships, public housing, public assistance, affirmative action… seems like we’re doing quite a bit for them already. And I daresay they live a whole lot better here in the US than they would’ve in Africa today!
To add some background to KM2’s um, inimitable style of debate, here is an introduction to the subject of slavery reparations, and here is a list of relevant legal opinions.
My very first reply to a thread. Please folks, keep in mind that I am not a racist nor a troll. This subject has been a real concern of mine for some time. What makes the African Americans and “Native Americans” so special? Throughout history races have been conquered and enslaved, had their entire way of life destroyed, and been scattered to the four winds by enemy states and more advanced civilizations. My people were harrassed and reviled by the whole of Europe in the early middle ages. They were subjected to military actions and economic sactions. Only in the past few years has our religion made a come back. I am speaking of the scandanavian peoples. That’s right. The vikings were subjected to economic pressure by the church in the fact that no one would trade with a pagan. should I get money from the Catholic church because they destroyed my forefathers religion? No. Should the peoples of Asia get money from the decendants of the Mongol nation for damages done during the Mongol rule of those lands? No. It is all dead and in the past folks. IMHO the child should not have to pay for the sins of the father.
I will admit, there is a lot of room for improvement in the relations and the way that the American Indians and African Americans are treated in this country. What I am saying is this. The American people as a whole should not be expected to pay for the sins of those in power so many years ago. If the reparations are for current issues then by all means they should be made. If it is over something that happened 100 years ago, forget it.
Actually, that’s a pretty good question. How about a “Thank You” from blacks to the ancestors of Union soldiers? Many of the white Union soldiers paid the ultimate price to free them from slavery.
How about some gratitude, rather than complaining?
KM2 wrote:
Actually, that’s a pretty good question. How about a “Thank You” from blacks to the ancestors of Union soldiers? Many of the white Union soldiers paid the ultimate price to free them from slavery.
How about some gratitude, rather than complaining?
Whys thankee fine sah fuh freein us po negroes, frum a system that the guvmint recognixed, supported an tolarated
Ah, now I feel better…
As a Black man Ive never much supported the cause for reparations, if for no other reason that it encourages the current victimhood syndrome that infests America currently. Not to mention the logistics of trying to find true descendants and a host of other concerns.
Now that being said, I do believe an apology for slavery was/is long overdue. And that there is historical precedent for it. Same for Native Americans. It really boils down to an issue of recognition. To dismiss the tragedies that occurred under slavery or the American expansion with the governmental equivalent of “my bad” is a horrible injustice.
KM2 also wrote:
They have federally-funded minority scholarships, public housing, public assistance, affirmative action… seems like we’re doing quite a bit for them already
Public Housing and Public assistance is availible for anyone who qualifies not just blacks. And you also might not be aware of this but whites still comprise the largest percentage of people using such programs.
I’m unaware of a Federally funded minority scholarship, please forward more information, maybe they can help me finish paying off my student loans.
Stuffinb, I could not agree more. That is basically what I was trying to say more or less. What happened was a horrible thing and should never happen again. Handouts are not the answer. Assistance in improving things is good but the individual must make the difference ultimately. I agree that an apology is way over due and official recognition. Repartitions will only cause more ill will from those who ride the line of being racist and give ammunition to those who are in hate groups. I for one don’t want the idiots who take part in hate groups to gain any more supporters.
stuffinb, I assume you believe that the US government should apologize for having had legal slavery. You do not seem to be saying that “white people” should collectively apologize. It is the latter concept that seems to be offending KM2.
No prob stuffinb. I guess trying to type exactly what I mean while trying to troubleshoot a defective computer is not aas easy as I thought it would be. Guess I multi-task as well as Windows 95.
