On Reparation
On the piece The Morality of Reparation Bernard Boxill argues that reparation makes sense and calls for its implementation. He argues that doing so will elevate the condition of the poor and contribute to correcting some of the injustices of the past. He argues that:
“If the minimum formal requirement of justice is that persons be given equal consideration, then it is clear that justice requires that compensatory programs be implemented in order to ensure that none of the participants suffers from a removable handicap.”
I agree with Boxill and his assertions because they are entirely reasonable considering the systematic prosecution and injustice Blacks have endured during the history of our nation. Doing so will send a powerful message to the Black Community that America has accepted the inhumanity and cruelty of slavery and Jim Crow laws and that it is ready to move forward. Blacks have contributed in massive way towards the development of this country and made it what it is today. They were enslaved and tortured systematically and their basic human rights have been infringed upon in a major way. This have left a psychological scar on the minds of many African-Americans and it is crucial that these sentiments are corrected.
Blacks are not the first group to ask for reparation in the world. Germany continues to pay reparations to Israel and to the Jewish people for the great injustices done to them by the German state under Hitler and his Nazi Regime. Even here at home, Native Americans enjoy free education and other benefits which is designed as a compensation of the injustices done against them. To deny Blacks a similar treatment will be an indirect endorsement of the injustices done against them.
I can understand people taking objections to the Boxill’s assertions by arguing that they were not the people who committed the sins and thus are not liable for the wrong deeds done by their ancestors. But society at large have benefited and continues to benefits from the injustices done against African-Americans and hence it is only appropriate that these injustices are dealt with.
Really? Give everyone a mule and their forty acres. I concede that injustices have been done to the African American but I disagree that reparations will elevate the African American stature especially not financially. Now on the other hand if they restructured the social infrastructure that is utilized by the African American and equip them with tools to make their life better economically and socially, I would be averse to that. Its almost like a parent buying off a child’s pain by giving him candy so the child can forget that he was whupped!
Sure, why not? I didn’t mention direct cash payments and I am sorry if this is what you have deduced from the blog. What I meant was that the government should provide more opportunities such as in education, jobs and community outreach to the Black Community since it is a group that has been historically oppressed and needs to a helping hand to catch up to other groups. Following the Native American Compensation plan is one way one of correcting these historical injustices.
It is heartbreaking to see poor Black people forced into homelessness and poverty in our cities and towns. Certainly, society has an obligation to help them.
I apologize for misunderstanding your emphasis. At times I feel that Black people are used to the hand out and end up misusing the system. Working in the health field I watch as thousand of dollars are spent on unnecessary medical treatments and medications just because they get “free” insurance. There has to be some checks and balances to any reparations that are distributed. It might sound cold but I really dislike seeing someone accept their circumstances in life and actually rejoice in it. Do something about it and I will, by any means, help you climb that ladder. But, if you are content on getting that Food Stamp, that MFIP, that Section 8 etc then you really do not deserve anything no matter what happened with their ancestors. Its not like their ancestors (slaves) sat around and twiddled their thumbs. These people were economical with their time when they weren’t working on master’s field they had their own fields and took care of their own. The ones who were more restless and driven tried to escape every chance they got. They were not anything like the men and women who stand in line for hours to get free stuff.
Pardon my rant but I really really dislike the ‘you owe us something” attitude!
Well the thing is that, society has an obligation to help out the poorest of its members. Besides, these poor people who rely on government hand-outs could very well have had paid thousands of dollars in tax money throughout the years they have been employed. What do you suggest that people who can’t work as a result of a serious illness who have to rely on medicaid do? Die out, perhaps? I think this is immoral and runs contrary to common-decency. Everyone has a right to healthcare and assistance from homelessness and hunger.
If we reject these government assistance to the needy, then we should also reject the entire Tax System, getting gov’t off our backs in terms of how we live and who we marry. I think I have an inherent right to get high. Government shouldn’t tell me not to light a joint because it contradicts some law.
There are alot of ways government can do to help the needy. The main job of the any government is to protect. There is nothing wrong if government i protecting people from hunger, homelessness and illness. This is why we pay taxes
I am not out to create my own utopia here Primate. I am by no means against handouts. Everyone has ups and downs and we created a safety net thus by all means it should be utilized. Its the disproportionate usage that irks me. The long and short of it is that I don’t like abusers of the system hence my caustic approach towards the prevalent attitude of “you owe us”.
PS:- You don’t want to know about my opinion about taxation and our government’s role in our society
These are hard times. “Banks are becoming cathedrals,” and it is a result of the economic stagnation that we are witnesses lately. As a resident of MinniAPPLES I don’t have to remind you the acute shortage of jobs and opportunities. People are suffering me friend. I have dozens of college friends who can’t find jobs with their degrees and you can imagine the challenges those without college education face.
It is just that some people have it worse than others. Years of slavery and Jim Crow Laws have left a psychological scar on the minds of majority of African-Americans, and though this doesn’t excuse the failures of some, yet it is wrong to discount it as a factor. Even today, a Black person is less than likely to be hired compared to a White Person or any-other person for that matter. There are quite entrenched problems African-Americans face, and hence solutions should keep their history and conditions in perspective