Slave Reparations

[sdalton]

What are your views on the big push in politics for the great-great-grandchildren of slaves demanding monetary reparations for their ancestors being slaves?? I for one will be glad to pay any person ALIVE who use to be a slave. It offends me that these people think they are owed anything. It sounds like some of these people just want another free handout. None of my ancestors owned slaves in this country, and even if they did, all those involved are dead and gone, and have already answered to a higher power. I am all for giving say $500,000 to any living ex-slave, who was enslaved in the USA.



A little history lesson. My ancestors were treated far worse than any slaves of that time. My ancestors were Irish.

Back then, the Irish and Chinese were treated worse than slaves. When hard labor was needed, that might endanger the lives and welfare of those doing the work, the Irish or Chinese were hired. Slaves were personal property and worth a great deal of money, up to a few thousand dollars. The Irish and Chinese could be hired for less than a quarter a day. If these immigrants died, no big deal, just hire a few more. If a slave died, they were out a great deal of money.



Slavery was not the right thing to do, but at the time it was practiced all over, not just the USA. We just were one of the last to ban it.



Now that I think of it, we still have slaves in the USA. They are mostly European women who are promissed jobs here. Where they get here, they are made prostitutes in brothels. They are bought and sold. They are treated worse than our slaves of old. They are killed if they try to escape, and our government just turns a blind eye, or downplays it.

 

[Texas Diesel]

You, me, or anyone else we know has never owned a slave. (re: Black slaves)



You, me, or anyone else we know has ever been a slave. (re: Black slaves)





How then do you, me or anyone else we know have claim for compensation? (re: Black slaves)





This is a campaign point for the "Rev" Jesse, who is NOT a Reverend. His Ordination came as a Honorary degree GIVEN to him by a small black Bible college. He is a fraud and so is his message, he is setting the cause of the Black man back decades.

 

[jlccc]

A few more thoughts

As mentioned by sdalton, slavery was practiced everywhere at the time. Will it surprise you to know that it was even practiced by those who were later captured and made slaves themselves by the European/American slavers?



I'll also wager that the descendants of those slaves are now much better off in America than they would be in Africa today. So, instead of reparations, I propose that we provide a ONE WAY TICKET to Africa for any "descendants of slavery" who don't properly appreciate their situation here in the U. S.



Yes, Jesse Jackson is setting the black man back decades.

 

[Oliver88]

Totally ridiculous. Enough said.

Greg

 

[FATCAT]

Race wars would insue

If reparations were to somehow pass congress and money from the treasury were to be paid out to each black in the US ... I would dare say that there would be mass resentment around this country including some race wars in the urban areas if not in the sub-urban areas.



Reparations would set back race relations 70+ years and I dare say would give rise to groups like the white suppresses and KKK who would exploit the resentment by non-blacks being taxed to pay the reparations.



Am I wrong?

 

[jwdeeming]

My ancestors fought, bled and died for the Union Army. The slaves were the direct benefactors of that sacrifice. So I want MY reparations from THEM. That's certainly as logical as the other arguement.



This is the direct result of entitlements mutating into something that our over-lawyered society is too confused to get out of.

 

[Gray Ghost]

I for one am d*** tired of hearing yall owes me. Don't owe them or anyone else anything.

 

[Oliver88]

Earlier I said "enough said" but I guess not. My ancestors fought for the Confederate army. From what I gather through readings of old family letters. My relatives were fighting for their rights and taxes. Sure, slavery was a part of the war of northern aggression but I don't think anyone in any part of this country owes anyone anything for slavery.

Greg

 

[Oliver88]

I have also heard it said that if your family roots are in the south there is some black blood somewhere in your family if you can find it. Well, I'm gonna find mine and get my part of reparations.

Greg

 

[Texas Diesel]

This gonna get deep - fast.



I was born in LA, family fought on the Confederate side, nothing but pride fills my heart. I am German by heritage and we lost more family during WW2, 5 uncles to be exact, they were fighting Hitlers army.



History lesson: The Civil War was not, repeat NOT fought over the slaves. Period. We (in the South) always knew this but main stream America chose to believe otherwise. When I was a child growing up in South Texas, I was indoctrinated with the belief that the War was to free the slaves. My dad silently made me to understand that there was more to it. Fact: Abe Lincoln ( Honest (!?) Abe ) had slaves in his house, as did every other wealthy land owner. AFTER the war got started he released his slaves and made slavery the "battle cry" of the war. He had a good spin-doctor. My two children were taught these exact same things (that the war was not over freedom for the slaves but States right to self rule) in school in the 90's.



The war was fought over the same problems we have today, the EPA cramming emission standards down our throats is an example of the problems associated with a central government.



I believe that we should understand the historical past, in truth, not political correctness.

 

[Steve M]

I'm Irish and American Indian myself. I'm entitled to an hour's pay for an hour's work. No more, no less just like everyone else in this country.

They seem to forget that it was their own people in Africa that shackled them and "sold" them to the slave traders at the coast. Most of which were criminals and America was an easy and profitable way to rid Africa of their undesirables. They should be grateful that their ancestors were brought to this country where they have the opportunity to succeed in life. The two stopovers in the Bahama Islands created a whole new race of people. Would they rather be still in aids infested Africa with no hope of success? We got the worst of them and gave them the best opportunity. Go figure...

We should have picked our own damn cotton.

 

[Jumbo Jet]

I am for paying the reparations.



It will be a boost to the economy. Probably some of it will make it into the legitimate taxable economy early on, while some will have to go through the drug economy, etc.



Remember the 40 acres and a mule? How many of those 40 acres still belong to the families of the original recipients? My family was the glad recipient of two nice parcels of land that was bought at the court house auction.



Just because you give it to them doesn't mean they will keep it.



I guarantee you that most of the money paid out for reparations would eventually make it's way back to the generous donors.



My biggest problem would be the amount that Jesse and Al would wind up with.

 

[sdalton]

Jumbo Jet, Just how is it that you feel I myself, or anyone else owes anything in reparations? Just how did the people demanding reparations earn the right for reparations?? No. Were they slaves?? Were their parents slaves?? No. Were their Grandparents slaves?? Very unlikely. Their Great- Great-Grandparents?? Maybe, but how does that entitle their offspring, several generations down the line.

I think they should sue the African Nations where they originated from, for selling them to slave traders, and collaborating with the slave trade.

I think those that feel guilty for being white and think slave reparations are due, by all means give them your money, and let us see how much comes back to the economy.

Jumbo, it isn't a matter of is the money going to come back, or will it help the tax situation, it wont. Too little money. The fact of the matter is that slave reparations are not deserved. It boils down to someone trying to get something for nothing. They are using racism, and the guilty conscience of politically correct white Americans to get a free handout. I am not saying you are like this, but when you make a statement like you did, please explain the logic behind your reasoning. Taxes, and trickle down theories just doesnt make much sense. If it did, then give everyone who was ever oppressed some money, and watch the economy flourish.



Steve M. , My mother picked cotton for several years, when she was young, and doesn't bitc* about having to do it. It helped feed the family and her parents told her she had to do it. It made her a better person, because it showed her what real work was, and instilled a good work ethic in her.

 

[BCFAST]

Looking at the state of the peoples' health and well-being in the African nations that have lived without European/American intervention... I'd say that they owe us! We have given government housing, education oportunities, WIC checks, cheese, etc. Seems better than stuggling for survival in the wilds of African jungle, desert . . or in the streets of Mogadisu. I say they owe a thank you reward to the ancestors of the slave owners.

 

[merryman]

Well by golly I am all for reparations-----provided they also pay me for my part of the country that you guys ancestors took from my ancestor, yup, I am part Indian and I have not been paid for my ancestors land yet!!

Think I will accept payment for just one square block in downtown NYC. that ought to be a fair share.

Vaughn

 

[me4osu]

I think its a load of CRAP!!

I am part (1/16 I think) Seminole Indian. I think the Trail of Tears was a dark period in American History, and a terrible injustice to those who were subject to it, but I don't need to get paid for it. I did not suffer, so why should I get paid reparations?



It is just another scheme by a minority of born takers to make a buck. I am quite certain your working, tax paying "African-American" community gets a good laugh from the whole issue.

 

[WyoJim]

My ancesters fought in the Union Army but I think the country would be better off today if the South had won the war.

 

[tntway]

it sickens me to read that the Confederate flag represents slavery... . IT DOES NOT!



what it represents to me are the good men that died fighting for what they believed in.



and NO!... i should not have to pay any stinking reparations because I had nothing to do with it.

 

[sdalton]

I agree strongly that the American indians need to be compensated. What the U. S. Government has done to them is a CRIME. Granted, back then, there were atrocities committed on both sides, but the U. S. Governments quest was the elimination of the Indians. We killed off their food, starved them out, and when we defeated them, we relocated them in the worst possible areas to survive. I say we need to give them something, in a grand gesture, to make ammends. How about give them all of Wyoming?? Or better yet, all of California. Let them each choose several acres, tax free, for ever, each, in these states. Let them Self govern those states, without being accountable to the U. S. government. Give them something to work with, other than welfare, poverty, and illiteracy. Give them their dignity and pride back.



In my opinion, the Indians had it much worse than the Negro slaves ever had it, and up to a much later date in time. I would vote for reparations for Indians before ever voting for the other.

 

[TxDieselKid]

Originally posted by Jumbo Jet

Remember the 40 acres and a mule? How many of those 40 acres still belong to the families of the original recipients

Are you sure this really happen? My history professior taught us that this was an idea that was tossed around at the time, but never infact happen.



My fav bumper sticker... .

If I would've knowen they'd a been this much trouble, I'd a picked my own cotten.



Was it on Crossfire or some show like that where he said, "we'll pay your ticket back to Africa!!!"



Andrew