Since Phil kinda stole my thunder, I'll add Coates' original piece:
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/06/the-case-for-reparations/361631/
The reparations question came up in class last night and I thought Ta-Nehisi Coates' testimony relevant in terms of our identity as Americans. Many people argue that those responsible (and those affected by slavery) are long dead but Coates speaks to that rather eloquently. I think.
Someone brought up Great Britain's culpability in the slave trade and they are apparently having the some of same discussions concerning reparations in Parliament.
As far as any amount or what shape these might take, this is merely the start of a discussion to talk about that.
Anyhoo, Coate's testimony:
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2019/06/ta-nehisi-coates-testimony-house-reparations-hr-40/592042/
Great post, Art. I listened to the testimony from Dr. Phil's post (he beat you to it!) and I really liked the piece you posted from the Atlantic.
ReplyDeleteI think the topic of reparations is fascinating. This challenges me to think deeply about my own white privilege and how it has been perpetuated since as far back as the Enlightenment through slavery, Jim Crow, the Civil Rights era, and present day. There are a lot of moving parts to this discussion and unfortunately, I think it raises more questions than answers. There are immense moral, ethical, and legal considerations and challenges. Furthermore, what about all the challenges of practical implementation? How could our society possibly begin to correct such a huge wealth disparity between whites and blacks?
Would a wholesale transfer of wealth from whites to blacks even be the correct remedy?
Home ownership is certainly at the center of this discussion. To that end, the abysmal history of red-lining and other predatory practices has created some incredible inequities. However, I contend that there are deeper economic problems that cannot be fixed by a simple direct infusion of cash into the black community.
Why should a home that takes 3 weeks to construct leave any family in debt for 30 years?
Doesn’t a mortgage often leave a family constrained to maintain jobs that provide steady income? Does this reduce the opportunities for jobs with more potential upside? Furthermore, why do these mortgages continue to be packaged by large banks as collateralized debt obligations and traded just as before the 2008 financial crisis?
A considerable amount of the time and resources of any family are dedicated to making sure that they do not end up living on the street. I think if everyone had a permanent home without the threat of foreclosure or eviction our entire country would be more economically efficient and equitable.
It does raise many questions, Chase but I think that until we face them, we will never fully heal.
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