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In reply to the discussion: How To Tell Who Hasn't Read The New 'Atlantic' Cover Story [View all]davidn3600
(6,342 posts)The Japanese were only discriminated against during WWII. Before and after the war things were normal.
What you are suggesting is to try and correct institutional racism that has been around since the founding of the nation. You are dealing with a far, FAR more deeper problem that has somewhat become ingrained within our entire American culture. Money doesn't solve racism. Reparations will do absolutely nothing to improve race relations in America.
You got majority of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. You got the youth up to their ears in debt. 10% of the country can't find adequate employment. And this is the middle class. Yet you want to have conversation about taking money from rich white people and handing it to poor black people because of skin color? Every American who isn't poor and black will be against that idea. The upper class will obviously be against it. The middle class will say, "what about our problems?" And the Hispanics will be against it too.
America is not a communist country. This is a capitalist, constitutional republic. The government cannot wave a hand and transfer vast sums of wealth from one class of people to another.
And I understand this isn't necessarily what the essay was about. But this is the 2-ton elephant in the room that can't be ignored. You can prove racist policies all you want but the minute you suggest reparations and/or redistribution of wealth...it's game over. People would rather the racism continue than give up their wealth. I don't like saying that, but it's the sad reality of the United States of America.