A policy of
reparation that emulates the recent reparation by German companies to Jewish citizens who were enslaved for profit by companies in WW2. As that provided a legal precedent, the concept gained favor among some Black groups as a way to make up for the "
40 acres and a Mule" White society promised and reneged on. For an
overview of the systemic and habitual
reneging, see Japanese
-American history,
Native American history and Hawaiian history. Though the concept of reparation is viewed by most Black Americans as a lark, the majority of White society continues to believe that Black society is a
monolithic entity seeking to instill guilt and loot the coffers of good upstanding White citizens. As this is certainly not the case, this is proof positive of the long standing contention that White societies tend to underestimate and stereotype members of other groups (denied of course by most White Americans).
While it is true that Black societies also engaged in black-on-black slavery, it is also true that every civilization on the planet has engaged in slavery, as it is a perverse condition and testimony to the cruelty of mankind towards his fellow man. As white-on-white slavery also exists/existed, that did not seem to be a relevant defense for German companies such as
Bayer. To justify one's participation in such a depraved act by virtue that others also engaged in it reveals the shallow nature of even the most educated, who generally only revert to pre-packaged rhetoric for lack of a better constructed argument.
It is also the nature of some insecure, race-centric antagonists to point out the inventions of all 'White' societies as if they were 'American' inventions, without regard that Rene De Cartes, the French philosopher who co-invented
analytical geometry (the predecessor of Calculus) would more likely identify himself as 'French' since the term 'White' is so indistinguishable as a descriptor (among MOST Caucasian countries except Americans) it is virtually useless. This insecurity also manifests itself in overt omissions of French superiority in science; the
nuclear energy they are so proud of was discovered by the
Curries, one French, one a Pole educated and living in France. At this time in the U.S., the French are currently viewed in a derogatory manner by Americans quick to claim their successes in a random division based on pigmentation, but also likely to refer to them as 'cheese-eating surrender monkeys' and point out their lack of military sucess. And it should be noted that during
Currie's time
Warsaw was in a part of Poland controlled by the
Czar, who oppressed the Polish people and attempted to diminish their history and culture.
In conclusion, the very argument for
reparations rests on the same logic the Jewish reparations were based. Not the slavery, but the profit. As you view the
antebellum mansions in the South (a testimony to the power of profit) and recall the economic and manufacturing power the United States became as a result, you should be reminded that your prosperity also rests on the backs of millions of slaves, and not entirely on your own (or borrowed) ingenuity. This as a whole sheds light on some particularly unsavory 'White-America Society's' racist, elitist and sexist tendencies, seeking to diminish the contributions of others while exaggerating their own without regard to context or accuracy. Which is precisely why we're going to sue your arrogant asses! That you understand.
"I'll never live to see slavery
reparations, but I can
tie up the court system forever."
"I would rather have equality in society rather than slave reparations."
"White people would rather pay millions to kill Iraqis than pay a Black person any slave reparations."
"America would rather pay some
fat person a large settlement for eating at McDonalds than to pay slave reparations."
