Reparations for African Americans. . . Do we really care?

SeriousSigma22 · #1 08-19-2002, 08:40 PM

This past weekend in D.C. about 3,000 or more African Americans marched in the city and basically demanded that the United States government should provide reparations for the descendants of slaves and black workers that played a large role in building this nation.

First of all, who will get the money because some African American don't really need it? How much should the federal government repay those individuals that qualify for the funds?Finally, are these so called marches really an effective way to present this AA issue to the federal government?

Serioussigma22

Yemaya · #2 08-19-2002, 11:08 PM

SeriousSigma22....This really is a great topic....

I must say that the march in D.C. should have been an awakening for the federal government; this march told the government, the country and the world that we as a people are standing up for whats right. We came together for something which is wonderful....

Now I personally do not have any idea as to who will get the money. I believe that the government may say "he or she is well off, dont give them any." I believe that those who really need the money should receive their portion first, then those who are well off enough should get some as well....

As far as how much to give to the people, I have no idea. I just hope that justice and fairness prevails with this issue.

If I have offended anyone, I'm sorry. These are just my thoughts.

-Yemaya-

luvelylocs · #3 08-20-2002, 12:58 PM

Hi Yemaya! How's Chicago? I graduated from dePaul University and resided on the south-side ( 47th and woodlawn)

back to topic ----->
I attended the reparations rally on Staurday and it was breathtaking to see how support for this issue raise. While the concept of 40 acres and a mule was product for that time, I support having the money used to develop affordable housing, educational opportunities for any person of color (regardless of age); afforable heath care; and other "staple" issues that speficially affect the Black community. I also support "real research" to be done that examines the psychological, spiritual damage that slavery has caused the descendants of slaves.Now how to gain a consensus on how to do this, I'm not sure. I just hope that the government realized that this issue is not going to die until retribution is gained.

luvely locs

SeriousSigma22 · #4 08-20-2002, 02:57 PM

Sorhors and Sistafriends,

These are some very interesting comments! However, I don't think the U. S. government is taking us seriously. We need to file a class action law suit against the government to really grab their attention.

Serioussigma22

HolyGhost7 · #5 08-20-2002, 05:07 PM

SeriousSigma22

I didnt realize how serious this issue was until I took African American history at the 3rd oldest HBCU in the nation...BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY*thats my plug*!!!

But why shouldnt we get reparations. The Japanese Americans got reparations for the concentrate-like camp they were put in. The American-Indians received reparations for getting their land stolen.

Why should AA's not receive reparations from being stolen from our home to be brought to a foreign land where we were treated as less than humans and today are still fighting for equality. We are not where we use to be but we have not arrived. Dont you want your 40-acres and a mule??? I do!!!!

HolyGhost7 · #6 08-20-2002, 05:11 PM

Just another thought....

For blacks to make up such a small percentage of the human population and still have such disproportionate numbers when it comes to welfare, healthcare, education...we are still at the bottom so we definately can utilize that money to make up for what was lost all of those years we were working in peoples houses and on farms.

Im not bitter...im just giving the facts as they were given to me in my social work and african american history class

Yemaya · #7 08-21-2002, 01:58 PM

Sorry for getting off the subject but.....

luvelylocs, Chicago is great!