In times past, I have argued against reparations because I thought they were only a “thinly veiled” method of attempting to extort money by exploiting white guilt. Reparations, if utilized in an overall attempt at fairness would be a good thing.
This reparations thing came to my mind because I stumbled upon a comment by the Reverend Al Sharpton which indicated that he abhorred slavery (well, maybe not the current on-going African slavery – but colonial slavery that was officially abolished 150 years ago), a practice with which most thinking individuals would also detest.
But just as I was about to write a check to Reverend Sharpton (which I am absolutely sure he would share with needful blacks), it dawned on me that I don’t own any slaves. In fact, I am unaware of any slaves being owned by anyone in America for 150 years. These are no doubt trivial points because European-Americans lead the world in addressing injustices —even if we have to invent a feeling of guilt where there isn’t one. Americans are especially adept at throwing money at folks who either: can’t or won’t earn it themselves. It’s like stocking a pond with fish so that people who can’t fish – can. The problem is that those who are given the money always want more —which requires the unearthing of more guilt. It’s kind of like trying to eradicate a toenail fungus —white guilt never really goes away.
Rev. Sharpton contends that bringing slaves to America in chains was a terrible thing —and most thinking whites would agree. But wait, didn’t the ancestors of our current President purchase and transport slaves to America? Barack is a form of the Arabic name Baraka. Hussein is Arabic and was the name of Muhammad’s grandson. That would make President Obama a descendent of the Muslims who transported slaves to America. If 21st century white America is guilty by association for centuries old slavery — shouldn’t the President have to cough up some of his book money for his centuries old association with slavery?
Revisiting the “fairness” factor – if white Americans are going to pay blacks for the sins our fore-fathers committed, it should then follow that blacks pay some type of remunerations to whites for the benefits of our civilization that they have enjoyed. Like: flush toilets, paved roads, shoes, democracy, telephones, automobiles, and last but not least —machines that will read EBT and SNAP cards. I’m just saying —fair is fair – and fairness dictates that we utilize the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment and all drink from the same fountain of logic.
The United States has a collective spirit and it sits uncomfortable with individualism —therefore, everything is placed in its natural order by race, creed, color, and sex. Clannish communities being the natural order of life in the United States, why don’t we assign voting privileges according to each race groups’ contribution to the advancement of our civilization? Factors like: inventions, Nobel prizes for actual accomplishment, companies created – number of engineers, scientists, and physicians graduated annually, etc. would be used to establish a race’s right to enjoy suffrage. What could possibly be more socially progressive? That way those who contribute to society as opposed to being spoon-fed by the labors of the contributors could determine the future of America. Only a lunatic (or Democrat) could contend that people who take much and contribute nothing should have a part in shaping public policy. Something in the back of my mind suggests that takers would always vote for givers!
Perhaps Reverend Sharpton, with his unassailable reputation as a man of the cloth, can find a spark of fairness in my thoughts. Nah —he is probably so weighed down with eschatological matters that he wouldn’t have the time to consider my suggestions. Some malcontents within the white community regard Sharpton as a race hustler and con-man —I abhor such slanderous viewpoints and would never suggest such a thing of a man with his unblemished track record as a fair- minded humanitarian and intellectual.
Have a good week.
Bill Shuey is a freelance writer from Murphy, NC. He can be contacted at: washuey@brmemc.net.
Now that’s funny, I don’t care who you are!