Are you serious?

Absolutly. I am about as responsible for slavery as my boyfriend is for women sold and bought in previous generations. I do not think of them as being any different, People all over have been abused and denied rights, blacks are not alone in their unpleasent past.

In that case, I won't read your comment either.

You have learned well grasshopper.

Ooops, I guess I have bumped this, how can I unbump it?

You can't really. If it was an accident I dont think it should be down voted...ahh well stuff happens.

To answer 2manys 2 year old question, I think that it wouldnt be THAT rediculous to so something to pay reparations but to hand out money as a way of saying sorry is dumb.

Rather if there was a memorial or an event that was planned that symbolized that we are sorry for slavery it wouldnt be that horrible. The event would still cost money but it would be the difference between giving a homeless guy money to do what he whants with it or buying him a sandwich because he is hungry.

As far as the whole reparations thing goes, I do not feel as though a monetary hand out is necessary. However programs such as affirmative action were definitely a step in the right direction. (even though it was just voted to get rid of it here in Michigan Universitites a couple years ago).

I say this b/c Slavery isn't the issue here. It is the legal segregation aspect. Slavery officially ended with the Civil War, and i dont think anyone is alive from that era. So no one should be punished today, for that.

However, legal segregation, went through the 1970's. (and the US armed forces until 1948)Segregation meant that everything that was open to african americans was severely inferior; Jobs, Schools, Hospitals (doctors),Movie Theatres, Housing, even water fountains.

So really it is not the distant ancestors, whom i dont even know, that were enslaved that bring substance to the talk of reparations...but its the mothers & fathers, the grandmothers and grandfathers, of my generation (im 24) who actually lived through Legal segreagation.

People alive who actually were attacked by Police dogs, sprayed with Government Issued firehoses in the street, and many many other occurences.

All in all, i say monetary compensation is not needed. However, programs like affirmative action were.(b/c it is taken away now, or trying to be). I mean think of the hole, that the african americans as a people had to climb out of. Most didnt, and are not making it.

No reparations, just an equal opportunity in everything, b/c i'm still a firm believer in things should be earned. I personally feel i am owed nothing b/c i was born with enough opportunity at my feet. but like i said, its the people who may be 45-50+ that may still hold ill-sentiment. and should they get something?

Okay my rant is over :-) i just wanted to bring another light to this issue.