I read in papers every so often about the government needing to pay families reparations for their ancestors having been slaves.
I am of the belief that the bloodshed of the Civil War, in part to end slavery, should be reparation enough. I feel it time to move on.
I’m sure many American Indians would be happy with an apology.
Dee Graham
Louisburg, Kan.
jus move on all tht happend before there was colored tv damit quit tryin to make easy money please yall dont care about the slaves yall jus care about the money (and yes i am black so shut up)
Posted by: adrian francis | November 24, 2010 at 07:10 AM
"Everyone who lives in this country has benefited from crimes committed long ago."
...including African-Americans.
Posted by: JUNGLEJACK | May 25, 2007 at 08:56 PM
heh heh, as someone with ancestry in all three groups (and others), I TRUMP YOU ALL!!!
sorry, couldn't resist...
Posted by: Jeff H | May 25, 2007 at 03:32 PM
The silliness of this topic is what attracts me to it. Very entertaining.
Jack - I agree.
Posted by: Sammy | May 25, 2007 at 03:03 PM
Let's dig up all who got rich off of slavery and hang them from light posts. Problem solved.
Personally I get tired of those that claim anyone who's ancesters came from Europe is somehow "born guilty". Also any who claim that people of African decent are "born victims".
Then there is the bigotry of who should be allowed to "speak for Native Americans". locobreath clearly says his wife's family is of Native American desent. Via my mother's side of the family I get a substantial amount of Native American blood.
Who is it that believes they can personally determine who should be allowed to speak as having an ancesteral link to Native Americans? What are the rules? Apparently it is not the "one drop rule" that allows folks to claim African decent. So what is it? Who is in charge of deciding?
Posted by: jack | May 25, 2007 at 02:23 PM
Please do not presume to speak for Native Americans.
Your letter, although so original and introspective, misses the mark.
Great, IMMENSE fortunes were made on the back of slavery. Everyone who lives in this country has benefited from crimes committed long ago. Nobody really expects people who have no conscience about such things to actually pay reparations.
Posted by: karennkc | May 25, 2007 at 01:25 PM
Thank you, Dee graham for stating a great truth. The blood, death & destruction of a horrible civil war should be enough.
I'm descended from white european christians but none of those folks came to this continent til the 1870s. How do 'reparations' matter to a guy like me? And how is it to be assessed?
On the other hand, my wife & her family are proud descendants from the five civilized tribes. They certainly don't have anything to do with reparations.
But they do have a great dislike of andrew jackson and would like an apology, along their land back, forthwith.
I'm sure (race riot) al sharpton will jump right on that request.
Posted by: locomotivebreath1901 | May 25, 2007 at 10:10 AM