Reparations

[JackTheRipper]

Firstly, I hate that the term "african-american" is thrown in anytime a black person is involved. Its a joke to imply that just because they are black means they are a descendant of Africa. Black people have come from other places, you know.

Anyways, I don't think reparations should be paid because aside from the fact that they suffered not one second from it, but because that answers what? Money automatically solves the injustice and pain those ancestors suffered? I'm sorry, but it seems like most blacks who call for reparations simply see it as a way they could make an easy buck. Which is sad if that's the truth.

[Keeper]

jacktheripper said:

Firstly, I hate that the term "african-american" is thrown in anytime a black person is involved. Its a joke to imply that just because they are black means they are a descendant of Africa. Black people have come from other places, you know.

This is a discussion about slavery. African-American is therefore the applicable term.

[I am a huge CUNT]

Yeah, this was a century ago. Not now.

The "African Americans" who want reparations, don't even give a shit about it. They just want the money. They don't care about the issue, they just want the damn cash so they can go out and by some new "J's" or something. They don't care. They just don't care.

Like Bears said, what about the people who spend their current lives living in prison for a crime they didn't do? That is THEIR life. Not their great great great great great x5 grandma.

Should I get reparations every time a black person says something racist to me?

[JacktheRipper]

I'm just going to say this. I've got a 103 degree fever right now with the flu running wild in Oxford right now, so keep this civil. So far so good, but I know where this kind of discussion can lead.

[Keeper]

I cannot believe how many of you fail to understand the whole reason why this country would give reparations. Do you think when the Japanese-American received reparations, that it really helped them. Of course not, but it symbolically cleaned the U.S.'s hands of what they had done.

The United States (aside from the state of Virginia) has NEVER even apologized for slavery, nor have they apologized for their treatment of the Native Americans. Both are issues that the country needs to resolve. They won't apologize though, because if they do, they'll owe reparations. That is where the problem comes.

The ignorance around DC is shocking at times. As a white male, you have a HUGE benefit in society. Reparations are warranted, they just won't happen because of logistics.

[I am a huge CUNT]

No one apologizes because no one living right now did it.

Why do we need to cleanup something that our ancestors did? Are people on DC ignorant just because we don't agree with you?

[Keeper]

msuspartan2 said:

Are people on DC ignorant just because we don't agree with you?

Because of remarks like this:

msuspartan2 said:

Should I get reparations every time a black person says something racist to me?

An apology at the least should be made, because it's the morally correct thing to do. The United States is a nation of contradictions; we want others to admit to their wrongdoing, yet we can't admit to ours. This isn't a matter of who was alive, as just because those people are dead doesn't mean that it hasn't had an absolutely massive effect on a huge portion of the population.

[JackTheRipper]

Keeper, I agree with Spartan in the sense that we shouldn't apologize or pay reparations because WE didn't do anything. Our apologies won't make what happened better and it sure as shit would not appease those who are still upset about it.

And by the way, my comment about the "african-americans" thing wasn't directed at this thread, but rather when anyone uses the term about anyone who's black.

[Keeper]

jacktheripper said:

And by the way, my comment about the "african-americans" thing wasn't directed at this thread, but rather when anyone uses the term about anyone who's black.

I was just clarifying on the topic; I agree with you when it comes to the word's use.

[Maize]

I want to start with saying that the ignorance on here is amazing. I didn't imagine the responses to this topic would be about how it is unfair. Almost when white people use the term "reverse discrimination" about affirmitive action.

I think we all have the shit twisted. See, we all are Africans. It took us 25,000 years to become white. So all this time we have been seperating ourselves from.... ourselves. Being Native American, I can understand, but not to the severity, of the racism in this country.

I believe reparations should be paid in a message to those people (and the rest of the world), that America is a land of equal opportunity, liberty, and all that SHOULD make us truly Patriotic. Not just a flag, taking off your hat, and hating muslims; but understanding the value of equality and that actions of the past are repaid in history. And our generation is already going to pay out the ass for all the blood we have on our hands, so why not make out a check to increase our position.....

[JackTheRipper]

maizeandblue15 said:

I want to start with saying that the ignorance on here is amazing. I didn't imagine the responses to this topic would be about how it is unfair. Almost when white people use the term "reverse discrimination" about affirmitive action.

I think we all have the shit twisted. See, we all are Africans. It took us 25,000 years to become white. So all this time we have been seperating ourselves from.... ourselves. Being Native American, I can understand, but not to the severity, of the racism in this country.

I believe reparations should be paid in a message to those people (and the rest of the world), that America is a land of equal opportunity, liberty, and all that SHOULD make us truly Patriotic. Not just a flag, taking off your hat, and hating muslims; but understanding the value of equality and that actions of the past are repaid in history. And our generation is already going to pay out the ass for all the blood we have on our hands, so why not make out a check to increase our position.....

Firstly, its not ignorant to have an opinion that differs yours as long as you're making a mature and somewhat sane statement, which those in opposition have.

Secondly, how are we all african? I know that my family came from germany, poland and italy, so how does that makes us all african?

I'm sorry, but the ignorant ones are those who blast others for not agreeing with them.

[Maize]

Maybe "ignorant" isn't the right word, but I don't see how someone can deny a human equal rights and protection under law.

Scientists dated all of human life back to Africa, now we are talking to the first indication of humans on the Earth. And all came from Africa, then through evolution, a early hunting-gathering mantality, and climate changes - changes occured, but it is a scientific fact that the human species originated in Africa. Now if you don't believe in evolution, forget everything I said, and plus then you can justify your subtle racism with religion.

[Keeper]

maizeandblue15 said:

I want to start with saying that the ignorance on here is amazing. I didn't imagine the responses to this topic would be about how it is unfair. Almost when white people use the term "reverse discrimination" about affirmitive action.

I think we all have the shit twisted. See, we all are Africans. It took us 25,000 years to become white. So all this time we have been seperating ourselves from.... ourselves. Being Native American, I can understand, but not to the severity, of the racism in this country.

I believe reparations should be paid in a message to those people (and the rest of the world), that America is a land of equal opportunity, liberty, and all that SHOULD make us truly Patriotic. Not just a flag, taking off your hat, and hating muslims; but understanding the value of equality and that actions of the past are repaid in history. And our generation is already going to pay out the ass for all the blood we have on our hands, so why not make out a check to increase our position.....

Great post, my Native American heritage (though not that strong) helps me to understand it as well.

[Maize]

Good to hear Keeper. I'm a quarter Chippewa (the ones that own the Detroit Casinos ), what are you?

[Keeper]

maizeandblue15 said:

Good to hear Keeper. I'm a quarter Chippewa (the ones that own the Detroit Casinos ), what are you?

Mohawk

[JackTheRipper]

maizeandblue15 said:

Maybe "ignorant" isn't the right word, but I don't see how someone can deny a human equal rights and protection under law.

Scientists dated all of human life back to Africa, now we are talking to the first indication of humans on the Earth. And all came from Africa, then through evolution, a early hunting-gathering mantality, and climate changes - changes occured, but it is a scientific fact that the human species originated in Africa. Now if you don't believe in evolution, forget everything I said, and plus then you can justify your subtle racism with religion.

Who here is advocating that anyone should be denied equal human rights? Show me a post where anyone said that slavery was right or that we aren't all equal. And my "subtle" racism? Because I don't agree reparations should be paid? Seriously?

[jct32]

I'm going to say I'm against it. If we are just paying for enslaving their ancestors.

Yea, sure slavery was horrible, but at the time it was ended if you lived in the south is was really much better to be a slave than to be a black freeman. You had a steady job, and you had food and shelter. Many slaves endured extreme racism after slavery was ended. Now, if they would have stayed on the plantation they would have some respect from their master as long as they worked.

Now, I don't think we should apolgize for slavery, it was key for our economic success when our country was young, and when we ended it, the south was hit hard. I certinely don't support it though. I don't think it is right to enslave someone.

If we were going to pay repeartions it would have to be for the extreme racism/discrimination that ensured after slavery was ended. Then that would open a pandora's box as anyone who feels they have been discrimated against would ask for reperations then.

I kinda contradicted myself right there but o well.

[Buzz Killington]

keepereusc said:

The United States (aside from the state of Virginia) has NEVER even apologized for slavery, nor have they apologized for their treatment of the Native Americans.

You know how much I hate being a stickler, but the great state of New Jersey recently apologized for slavery. Besides Springsteen, one thing they've done right.

[Claytons Crew]

For one this will never happen. Ever. Reason being is that it will be way to hard to figure out who's who. Let's just take Kobe Bryant as an example. Let's just say his great, great Grandfather was a slave. Kobe is what? 26? He was not even THOUGHT of when slavery was going on. He was born a free man. I'm assuming tax dollars would be used to pay, correct? Why should I pay someone for something I had no control over and neither did the guy I'm paying? It might not make sense in words but I don't know how to word it any better.

Slavery is over, it's done. There is nothing I can or could have done about it. There is nothing Kobe can or could have done about it. So why should he earn money for doing nothing? Did Kobe suffer from anything? He's only 26...slavery wasn't happening when he was born.

If this is the case and it does happen, I'm sure the Gay people are going to want money too. There going to say they have been decimated against for ever and they need money for it.

Money is the good of all evil. Paying somebody something that they weren't even abused for is ridiculous. Even if I was African-American I would feel the same way. If I didn't have to do it, why am I getting paid? I would feel bad actually. Thats like taking money that should be my grandfather's because he went through the pain and suffering.

[I am a huge CUNT]

keepereusc said:

An apology at the least should be made, because it's the morally correct thing to do. The United States is a nation of contradictions; we want others to admit to their wrongdoing, yet we can't admit to ours. This isn't a matter of who was alive, as just because those people are dead doesn't mean that it hasn't had an absolutely massive effect on a huge portion of the population.

Keeper, I understand where you are coming from as far as an apology and how it's not right. But why would I make an apology for something that I didn't do?

Sure, if it's something I did, I would definitely apologize and do anything I could to make things right. But you can't go anywhere around black people and say something about them, and automatically you are considered racist. It's absolutely ridiculous how many people use their race to fight someone they don't like, or to sue someone.

That's what I think people like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are doing. They want face time. They want money. They want us to pay for something we didn't do.

Hell, I get ripped on every day almost because I'm Mexican. People ask if I have my green card with me and make jokes and everything. Should I get reparations?

BTW Keeper, I also didn't want the ignorant comment to come off as a shot at you. It's just DC has been throwing around the term ignorant lately.