Would you pay for this? Why we need reparations for Black Americans.

Robert59

Robert59

Well-known Member
Location
Now I live in Tennesee. Did live in Michigan.
Central to the idea of the American Dream lies an assumption that we all have an equal opportunity to generate the kind of wealth that brings meaning to the words “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” boldly penned in the Declaration of Independence. The American Dream portends that with hard work, a person can own a home, start a business, and grow a nest egg for generations to draw upon.

https://www.brookings.edu/policy2020/bigideas/why-we-need-reparations-for-black-americans/
 

IMO reparation is a divisive idea.

I believe that all Americans should have an opportunity to work and achieve the American Dream.

If Americans of any race need a hand up to get an education or to learn a trade we should do what we can to help with that in a way that is meaningful to the individual.

Some folks may need a job or work-study program to help support themselves or even a more structured program like Job Core to help them get a start.

Another option available to most young people is a period of military/national service that provides many benefits to help with education and training.

The path to the American Dream may be bumpy but it still exists if you are willing to work at it.
 
I have a stupid question. I see a lot of black folks with vehicles and clothes that are way finer than anything I could personally afford. Given that, why should we have to help them get where they need to go? Nobody helped us. Most of us were under the time of "if you couldn't afford it you didn't finance it."
 

Don't get me wrong...I think it's great that they want everyone to have equal opportunities at education and jobs but there's no reason they can't work for it or get scholarships just like anyone else. They're still people trying to make it in this world just like you and me. I never got any handouts.
 
Worst idea ever. It must never happen. Why not give money to all people that come here illegally only to be sent back depriving them of the chance to prosper here in America? Minorities work as hard as anyone. They don't seek free money rather opportunity to make money. Why not go back and find the family names of the sellers of Africans?
 
I seriously doubt that very many blacks in Africa are better off than their American distant cousins. The ones in America are better off for being here regardless of how they came to be here. If this country is so intolerable, they are free to leave.
 
Exactly. There's no reason they can't get out there and support themselves in whatever fashion they are afforded in life. If they happen to come from a low income family and that ends up being their lot in life, they need to work it out just like anyone else instead of whining about it.
 
My first thought is how in the world can this be discussed given the site's "no politics" rule.
Let's see, I'll give it a try.
According to the 1619 project, part of the curriculum in schools in New England, slavery started in American in 1619 and ended in 1865, after the War Between the States ended and two years after Lincoln's EP.
The idea is the governments responsible for the slavery pay. Ok, fine
The US wasn't a country and recognized as such until 1783.....that is roughly 72% of the years in questions.
This was England. So, right off the bat 3/4ths of the bill should be sent to Parliament. Let's see how that goes.

By 1783, slavery, which DID exist in the North previously, was virtually non-existent. So, maybe just hit up those with relatives south of Mason-Dixon. And since the narrative taught now in schools is that the War Between the States was just about slavery, then that MUST mean that roughly 400,000 men from the North gave their very lives to free the slaves. Surely, relatives of those brave men can be spared this new tax.
 
We would not willingly support or pay for Reparations. For all the reasons folks have stated in the above thread, and many more based on our own opinions and beliefs.

ms gamboolgal and I have just repatriated back to Texas after working and living in Africa for 17 years for megaoilcorp.

Our experiences and perspectives we gained oversea's in Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria have reinforced that to us Reparations is nothing more than a political ploy to buy votes.

We have and will continue to lobby our elected officials to not pursue Reparations.

But that's just us...... Lifes A Dance And You Learn As You Go.....

gamboolman....
 
Robert59 said:
Central to the idea of the American Dream lies an assumption that we all have an equal opportunity to generate the kind of wealth that brings meaning to the words “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” boldly penned in the Declaration of Independence. The American Dream portends that with hard work, a person can own a home, start a business, and grow a nest egg for generations to draw upon.

https://www.brookings.edu/policy2020/bigideas/why-we-need-reparations-for-black-americans/
Click to expand...
Well, I'm one of those "descendants of enslaved Black Americans," and I do not agree with "reparations for slavery."
This is the way I look at it: how many generations would I need to go back in my family history to find individuals who were affected by it? (and yes, I know the answer to that.) Other than occasional asinine remarks about my mixed heritage, I personally have never suffered for what my enslaved ancestors went through- so I do not believe I deserve any 'reparations' for it.

As for the second part mentioned in the article- "anti-Black policies"- I have the same viewpoint. However, this is not necessarily true for everybody. In recent years, I've known individuals in my age group who grew up in areas where schools were still segregated, the Civil Rights conflicts were a part of everyday life, etc., and those experiences have had lifelong effects on the individuals. They certainly deserve something to make up for it.

However, what some individuals have said is, in my opinion, accurate. While not everyone is dealt a fair hand in life, and some environments are worse than others, personal choice is often more of a factor than some care to admit. If a person 'chooses' to drop out of school, make a living by dealing drugs, etc., they shouldn't have the luxury of claiming it's because of their race.
 
It's not about wealth. It's about all being treated equally, whatever your colour. Don't forget, people handle money differently. Some are clever and make money work for them. Others spend money like water. So if everyone were given the same sum of money when they left school, some would use it to make a success of their lives, others would waste it.
 
Rosemarie said:
It's not about wealth. It's about all being treated equally, whatever your colour. Don't forget, people handle money differently. Some are clever and make money work for them. Others spend money like water. So if everyone were given the same sum of money when they left school, some would use it to make a success of their lives, others would waste it.
Click to expand...
That makes sense. Combine that with the amount of people that immigrated to America both legally & illegally that have started a business or work hard to provide for themselves & their families. They are successful & not looking for something free.
 
Originally, the Democrats were proposing something like $360,000.00 to each black American. This would add something like $14-16 trillion to the national debt. Now, the latest has been that they may look for about $40-60,000 per black person and that would add about $2 trillion.

I heard one person say "I am not responsible for the sins that my forefathers did and I don't think that I owe anyone a dime." But, that's not the theory behind this. The people backing this say they did a research and the average white white family is worth about $800,000.00 more than the average black family.

I don't know where this all coming from, but some people are saying that since we gave the Japanese money as reparations, why shouldn't the black people receive something?
 
Been There said:
Originally, the Democrats were proposing something like $360,000.00 to each black American. This would add something like $14-16 trillion to the national debt. Now, the latest has been that they may look for about $40-60,000 per black person and that would add about $2 trillion.

I heard one person say "I am not responsible for the sins that my forefathers did and I don't think that I owe anyone a dime." But, that's not the theory behind this. The people backing this say they did a research and the average white white family is worth about $800,000.00 more than the average black family.

I don't know where this all coming from, but some people are saying that since we gave the Japanese money as reparations, why shouldn't the black people receive something?
Click to expand...

The median household in the U.S. is worth $97,000 so I'm not sure where you got your "average white family" number. Most people, black or white, say they would have a hard time scraping up $500 for an unforeseen expense.

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Featured snippet from the web
The median net worth of the average U.S. household is $97,300. Median is the middle point where half the households have more and half have less. Under 35: Median net worth: $11,100 (average net worth: $76,200).Jan 23, 2020
 
I'm not for reparations per se. But I think we should consider the potential benefits of a Marshall plan type operation to help US cities. See if spending big money helps. Nothing we have tried has worked very well so far.
 
Been There said:
Originally, the Democrats were proposing something like $360,000.00 to each black American. This would add something like $14-16 trillion to the national debt. Now, the latest has been that they may look for about $40-60,000 per black person and that would add about $2 trillion.

I heard one person say "I am not responsible for the sins that my forefathers did and I don't think that I owe anyone a dime." But, that's not the theory behind this. The people backing this say they did a research and the average white white family is worth about $800,000.00 more than the average black family.

I don't know where this all coming from, but some people are saying that since we gave the Japanese money as reparations, why shouldn't the black people receive something?
Click to expand...
I still don't agree with it. But with the info you presented here, that approach would probably lead to a huge mess over 'who is actually "Black"?' Would it go by skin color, proof of ancestry, or something else? Yup, it could get complicated.
 
Old&InTheWay said:
My first thought is how in the world can this be discussed given the site's "no politics" rule.
Let's see, I'll give it a try.
According to the 1619 project, part of the curriculum in schools in New England, slavery started in American in 1619 and ended in 1865, after the War Between the States ended and two years after Lincoln's EP.
The idea is the governments responsible for the slavery pay. Ok, fine
The US wasn't a country and recognized as such until 1783.....that is roughly 72% of the years in questions.
This was England. So, right off the bat 3/4ths of the bill should be sent to Parliament. Let's see how that goes.

By 1783, slavery, which DID exist in the North previously, was virtually non-existent. So, maybe just hit up those with relatives south of Mason-Dixon. And since the narrative taught now in schools is that the War Between the States was just about slavery, then that MUST mean that roughly 400,000 men from the North gave their very lives to free the slaves. Surely, relatives of those brave men can be spared this new tax.
Click to expand...
Ah! TRUTH and FACTS instead of emotional suppositions. This is novel and appreciated!
 
Throwing money at any issue hasn‘t worked very well in the past. Giving people more opportunities, training, and jobs seems to be a reasonable path for upward mobility. Many folks of all races appear to do quite well being self employed, working long hours, giving up the “now” for the future. Others, no matter the race, head in a downward spiral. The single biggest disadvantage (socially and economically) for anyone is being a parent at a young age with no spouse, no education, no job.
 

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