Reparation is defined as
the act of making amends, offering expiation, or giving satisfaction for a
wrong or injury. It is the payment of damages.
We All Agree that Slavery
and her children, racism, discrimination bigotry and racial supremacy were and still
are egregious ills within our American Society.
This government has
forgiven the debts of countries that were formally our sworn enemies and
supplied them with the blood, sweat and tears of our men and women in uniform.
This country has rebuilt the infrastructure of war torn nations and repeatedly
put our men and woman in uniform in harm’s way in the name of democracy and
human rights.
However, this nation has
not afforded former slaves and their decedents the same courtesy and/or
financial benefits that was granted to such countries as Afghanistan (12.9
Billion in aid in 2011), Israel (3.2 billion in 2011) and Iraq (2.14 billion
2011) and this does not include the human cost.
A fraction of such aid as
reparations for this country’s horrendous and brutal acts of slavery, racism,
discrimination as well as its clandestine policies that permitted the inhumane
and immoral lynching, murders, rapes and dismemberment of its African American
citizens (namely the black man) and their families, would go a long way in
repairing the generational, social, psychological and financial health of the
race.
Regardless of the few
exceptions that have been allowed to rise to the level of affluence, fame
and/or fortune, there is still a significant population of African Americans
who have not left the plantation, mentally, spiritually, socially and
financially. The holocaust of slavery has generational ramifications that are
just now coming to light and must be addressed on several levels none the least
of which are financial reparations.
Now, this article may be
offensive to some but it is not intended to be. The uplifting of a people
wronged does not diminish anyone but benefits everyone. (Bishop)
If you are of African American
descent, please feel free to chime in with your opinion on this ongoing
question. I will not challenge your opinion or confront your position on the
matter. I just want to give you the opportunity to be heard on the matter or at
least think about where you and your family would be financially, socially,
educationally and psychologically if we (African Americans) were afforded the
same privilege and aid that foreign nations are afforded by this country.
