General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Are you in favor of reparations to African Americans? [View all]Arthur_Frain
(2,181 posts)When I was young and supposed to be liberal. I even thought I could sell it to the conservatives, because of the biblical overtones it had.
I suggested that we give all African Americans a 7 year tax jubilee. For those who havent read the OT in some time, those old time Jews were big on 7 year jubilees. Taxes and debts were forgiven, slaves were freed, wives werent beaten for (most of) a year.
Thing is I did this kind of tongue in cheek. At this point, any reparations IMHO, are going to end up being symbolic. For the very reason you compartmented your poll, disallowing individual reparations. Because thats the rub right there isnt it?
I dont think we are ever going to get around to this because there is no way to come up with a solution that is going to please enough people to have any meaningful success by being enacted. Even in my tongue in cheek suggestion, how do you determine eligibility? How many generations back do you have to trace American ancestry?
Reparations are long overdue. Considering our sorry track record in point of fact, I wont be holding my breath that anything at all gets done. Ever.