Current Events > A reparations topic...

(+) Yeah! (+)

I searched and only found one topic. (Some guy got booed for not agreeing with it, or something?)

Anyway, can we have a civil, educated topic that doesn't devolve into flaming and trolling one another? I know that's a lot to ask anywhere, let alone on CE, but I'd like to think there are some people on here who can keep their emotions in check long enough to type a well thought out response to other comments...

I realize that there hasn't even been a talk about these things in the Government, so there aren't any real details, but I'm asking what you think.

So, I have a few thoughts/questions, and they ARE NOT meant to incite anger in anyone:

1. How would reparations work? (A one-time payment of X amount, or annual/monthly/weekly payments?)
2. Would every generation whose ancestors were slaves get this money*? (Or would there be a cutoff - like, if you were born by X date, you get it, but after that date and you don't?)
3. How would this affect the economy?

Sorry for the long post, I'm a curious person and would like to know what others think about this topic, since I obviously missed the topic when it was "current," a few days ago.
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EscapeFromHell posted...

Anyway, can we have a civil, educated topic that doesn't devolve into flaming and trolling one another?

Lol.
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*=Assuming reparations would be paid in the form of money and not land, stocks, etc.
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Reparations would be another temporary government program that ends up lasting forever.
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Im ignorant but I think a program should be set up to where reparations are givin to black men that show promise in the business industry. Because then they can build their businesses and employ others in the community. That way the money also stays in their community and doesn't just get spent at white businesses and givin back immediately. Whites messed up by not doing it earlier, where all the money would of just ended up back to them immediately because they owned everything for sale.
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tennisdude818 posted...

Reparations would be another temporary government program that ends up lasting forever.

So, you don't think they'd do a one time, only for those who are alive today type of approach? Like, would it be a type of program similar to welfare or something?
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Lost_All_Senses posted...

Im ignorant but I think a program should be set up to where reparations are givin to black men that show promise in the business industry.

Interesting idea, but how would you define, show promise in the business industry?
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EscapeFromHell posted...

tennisdude818 posted...

Reparations would be another temporary government program that ends up lasting forever.

So, you don't think they'd do a one time, only for those who are alive today type of approach? Like, would it be a type of program similar to welfare or something?

It sounds like proponents of reparations want some form of community level investment that would replace or complement individual payments. Its hard to know who is a descendant of slaves. Would we all take government supervised DNA tests? Do we follow the one drop rule? Do we pay Somali immigrants in Minnesota? The simpler thing would be to pour money into black areas rather than hand out cash.

Thats why I think it would be an ongoing government program that works as efficiently and effectively as any other government program.
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EscapeFromHell posted...

How would this affect the economy?

There's already a shortage of housing. If you take money from those who save and invest and give it to a disadvantaged minority, all you're doing is raising housing prices and reducing capital investment/economic growth.

EscapeFromHell posted...

Lost_All_Senses posted...

Im ignorant but I think a program should be set up to where reparations are givin to black men that show promise in the business industry.

Interesting idea, but how would you define, show promise in the business industry?

That's why I stated my ignorance, cause I don't have the experience to figure out that stuff. Im just trying to think of how to keep it in the community once it gets there. We already know how a lot of rappers immediately give the money right back. It's gotta go to the people who want to build instead of stunt.
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So, do people think this money will be taken from one group and given to another? I'm new to this whole thing, (which is why I created the topic,) so I don't know much about it.

Will everyone who has a job have to pay more taxes, or just the 1%? Should people be forced to pay for something that they (and they're ancestors) never did?

This is all so confusing and while I understand the thought process, I'm not sure I get where the money would come from or if it would be "fair" to tax people in the name of a political shift. (Dems are obviously talking about this in an attempt to secure more of the African American vote - I doubt reparations will actually happen...)
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I don't know why this conversation always centers around slavery, as if black people weren't still terrorized and oppressed to a major degree in this country through at least the 70s.

EscapeFromHell posted...

Should people be forced to pay for something that they (and they're ancestors) never did?

They benefited from things their ancestors did, things that black people's ancestors weren't allowed to do, so...
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https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/400-current-events/77805395
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IMNOTRAGED posted...

I don't know why this conversation always centers around slavery, as if black people weren't still terrorized and oppressed to a major degree in this country through at least the 70s.

EscapeFromHell posted...

Should people be forced to pay for something that they (and they're ancestors) never did?

They benefited from things their ancestors did, things that black people's ancestors weren't allowed to do, so...

By that logic, black people today are benefitting from things that happened back then, so they should pay for reparations too? Help me understand what you mean, because if a white person DIDN'T benefit from black people being terrorized in the 70s, then why should they pay for reparations? Also, how would you prove those people DID benefit from the terrorizing of black people in the 70s? (I'm trying to understand where you're coming from, but I'm having a hard time.)
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EscapeFromHell posted...

Anyway, can we have a civil, educated topic that doesn't devolve into flaming and trolling one another?

Don't forget the unicorn.
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DevsBro posted...

EscapeFromHell posted...

Anyway, can we have a civil, educated topic that doesn't devolve into flaming and trolling one another?

Don't forget the unicorn.

Clever and helpful. Thanks.
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EscapeFromHell posted...

DevsBro posted...

EscapeFromHell posted...

Anyway, can we have a civil, educated topic that doesn't devolve into flaming and trolling one another?

Don't forget the unicorn.

Clever and helpful. Thanks.

You're welcome.
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"Ancestors"

Does CE even know that the Emancipation Proclamation only outlawed chattel slavery and that it wasnt until 1951.....yes FIFTY ONE.... all forms of slavery were outlawed. The South did not just stop making blacks slaves because ol Abe said so. Many horrible forms of slavery, which the government knew about, continued in an officially ok manner until just about 68 years ago.

And lets be honest, slavery still exists
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All living slaves should be given 1 million dollars from their former masters and a free home in the country they originated from.
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Blue_Inigo posted...

"Ancestors"

Does CE even know that the Emancipation Proclamation only outlawed chattel slavery and that it wasnt until 1951.....yes FIFTY ONE.... all forms of slavery were outlawed. The South did not just stop making blacks slaves because ol Abe said so. Many horrible forms of slavery, which the government knew about, continued in an officially ok manner until just about 68 years ago.

And lets be honest, slavery still exists

I did not know that, but still, why should you or anyone else be held accountable for something your ancestors, (yes "ancestors" - as in someone further back than a grandparent) did or DIDN'T do?

I'm Native American, so I don't have a dog in this fight, but I'm curious who would pay for this and how it would be decided who has to pay for it.
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CharlesBronson posted...

There's already a shortage of housing.

fact check: no there isn't
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averagejoel posted...

CharlesBronson posted...

There's already a shortage of housing.

fact check: no there isn't

A shortage of affordable housing.
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Show me the money. The first thing I'd do is buy some land.
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EscapeFromHell posted...

Blue_Inigo posted...

"Ancestors"

Does CE even know that the Emancipation Proclamation only outlawed chattel slavery and that it wasnt until 1951.....yes FIFTY ONE.... all forms of slavery were outlawed. The South did not just stop making blacks slaves because ol Abe said so. Many horrible forms of slavery, which the government knew about, continued in an officially ok manner until just about 68 years ago.

And lets be honest, slavery still exists

I did not know that, but still, why should you or anyone else be held accountable for something your ancestors, (yes "ancestors" - as in someone further back than a grandparent) did or DIDN'T do?

I'm Native American, so I don't have a dog in this fight, but I'm curious who would pay for this and how it would be decided who has to pay for it.

Didnt the Cherokee own slaves?
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I think reparations is an idiotic concept and I refuse to discuss it.

However I do believe that the level of neglect the government has shown towards minority populations and areas is criminal.
A change needs to be made, and the government needs to invest in it's people.

Step 1:
Education reform.
Schools are crumbling, teachers are underpaid and overworked, supplies are non existent.

Step 2:
City/neighborhood infrastructure.
Repair streets. Have better access to DMV and other government services.
Provide tax incentives for businesses to open/run in the area.

Step 3:
Better sex, health, and reproductive education.
Free condoms at walk in clinics/community centers.
Make counseling more available.
Improve mental and physical health.
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Its certainly a topic worth discussing and exploring. The government has more than enough resources to hire people to study the idea
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pikachupwnage posted...

averagejoel posted...

CharlesBronson posted...

There's already a shortage of housing.

fact check: no there isn't

A shortage of affordable housing.

which is far more a problem with greedy landlords than it is a problem with reparations. this suggests to me that, in order for reparations to have a significant effect, there would have to be significant restrictions placed on landlords. perhaps some sort of guaranteed housing program.
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meestermj posted...

I think reparations is an idiotic concept and I refuse to discuss it.

However I do believe that the level of neglect the government has shown towards minority populations and areas is criminal.
A change needs to be made, and the government needs to invest in it's people.

Step 1:
Education reform.
Schools are crumbling, teachers are underpaid and overworked, supplies are non existent.

Step 2:
City/neighborhood infrastructure.
Repair streets. Have better access to DMV and other government services.
Provide tax incentives for businesses to open/run in the area.

Step 3:
Better sex, health, and reproductive education.
Free condoms at walk in clinics/community centers.
Make counseling more available.
Improve mental and physical health.

Agree with this 100%.
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EscapeFromHell posted...

By that logic, black people today are benefitting from things that happened back then, so they should pay for reparations too? Help me understand what you mean, because if a white person DIDN'T benefit from black people being terrorized in the 70s, then why should they pay for reparations? Also, how would you prove those people DID benefit from the terrorizing of black people in the 70s? (I'm trying to understand where you're coming from, but I'm having a hard time.)

https://aeon.co/ideas/land-and-the-roots-of-african-american-poverty

Yet given that it effectively remained in place until 1934, well over 1.5 million white families both American-born and immigrant eventually profited from it. And, although the process was rife with fraud, as many homesteaders sold their plots to corporations, the original claimants pocketed the income from land sales, establishing a basis of wealth and capital. By the end of the Act, more than 270 million acres of western land had been transferred to individuals, almost all of whom were white. Nearly 10 per cent of all the land in the entire US was given to homesteaders for little more than a filing fee.

Jim Crow laws furthered this by reserving the best opportunities for white people while continuing to prevent black families from accumulating wealth.

https://www.pbs.org/race/000_About/002_04-background-03-02.htm

The landmark Social Security Act of 1935 provided a safety net for millions of workers, guaranteeing them an income after retirement. But the act specifically excluded two occupations: agricultural workers and domestic servants, who were predominately African American, Mexican, and Asian. As low-income workers, they also had the least opportunity to save for their retirement. They couldn't pass wealth on to their children. Just the opposite. Their children had to support them.

Like Social Security, the 1935 Wagner Act helped establish an important new right for white people. By granting unions the power of collective bargaining, it helped millions of white workers gain entry into the middle class over the next 30 years. But the Wagner Act permitted unions to exclude non-whites and deny them access to better paid jobs and union protections and benefits such as health care, job security, and pensions. Many craft unions remained nearly all-white well into the 1970s. In 1972, for example, every single one of the 3,000 members of Los Angeles Steam Fitters Local #250 was still white.

Could go further (redlining, the GI Bill, the "war on drugs", etc) but that covers my general point. Black american families have, on the whole, been prevented from accumulating wealth in this country. Opportunities that were instead give to other people.
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I'm not opposed to the idea of reparations, but since poor people are disproportionately people of colour, I think it would be more beneficial to those communities to implement policies that benefit poor people -- especially since the wealthy people in those communities don't need the extra money.

providing basic needs for people -- housing, food, healthcare, education -- would be a good starting point, and if implemented well, would benefit everyone.
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I never understood the idea that money owed specifically to black people should be enjoyed by everyone
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EscapeFromHell posted...

Anyway, can we have a civil, educated topic that doesn't devolve into flaming and trolling one another?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ns6OAytgKwc" data-time="
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tennisdude818 posted...

Didnt the Cherokee own slaves?

I'm not Cherokee, and good luck taxing any Native Americans.
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BeantownHero posted...

I never understood the idea that money owed specifically to black people should be enjoyed by everyone

is this in reference to my post?
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