Reparations - the political side

In another forum, the Scriptures were searched for some principle believers could formulate concerning the matter of Reparations.

Political discussion was discouraged in that thread because it was to search the Scriptures for principles not politics. Any that have access to the thread and would like to consider some Scripture principle may appeal to that thread.

This thread should then deal with the political side of the how and in what manner should political representatives of ANY nation view and enact reparations.

As done in the other thread, it would be good to perhaps to look at a link in which one may focus upon the topic as it applies to the US. See: https://www.history.com/news/reparations-slavery-native-americans-japanese-internment

Now it is well established that reparations have been made to the US citizens by the government for grievous error.

The Japanese interment, the Hawaiian overthrow, the Tuskegee experiments, the Native Americans, have all received some reparations for wrong doings (though (imo) I doubt the Native Americans can ever be fully compensated).

These reparations were done to a specific group, for wrongs done directly by the government.

The move to present reparations by primarily the Democratic Party to the Blacks comes with some very problematic areas of consideration. It is easy for some to claim the need, and much harder to get to the particulars.

This thread is about the particulars, not the need.

One must acknowledge that a great amount has already been spent upon the programs to aid the Black community. Housing, education, job quota's, ... all were targeted specifically to that community's benefit.

Another is that specific laws concerning the voting rights, access rights, inclusion rights, ... have specifically targeted to that community's benefit.

But, too many, there is more to be done.

The cry heard is that injustice demands a reparation. And although great deeds have been accomplished, such were not tied into reparation thinking, and therefore, do not count in the minds of the community.

Therefore, what should be done?

Should there be a direct payment made to the direct and documented ancestors of those who were actually abused? It is clearly evident that the vast majority of slaves were not abused, yet were slaved. Does enslavery count as abuse? It is against the law, but it once was not.

Should the burden of the reparation fall upon the all states or upon those in which slavery was propagated?

It must be clear that ALL the states agreed to slavery. The Northern states enacted laws forcing the return of escaped slaves to their owners. They are just as culpable in the error as the Southern states.

Should reparation be tied to repatriation?

The Natives were paid for land taken, the Hawaiians for land and self determination taken, the Tuskegee folks for physical harm done. But no one was given back land, for they lived on the land and have rights of travel throughout the lands of their heritage to this day.

So, does repatriation back to the African contentment be an integral part of the terms of reparation?

What of citizenship? If repatriation as part of reparation take place, does citizenship automatically become a matter to consider, also. Should folks repatriated back to their original land still bear the rights of US citizenry?

What of the other nations of the world, does a world court need to be enacted to determine the plight of all enslaved from the beginning of time? What about peasants, black lists, and other forms of bondage that was enslavery but not looked upon as such?

This thread is open to any political expression that conforms to the rules of the BB.

However, racist remarks will not be tolerated and will be reported.

Try to come up with something workable in which all will be agreeable.

 

Interesting idea.

Do you see reparations and repatriation linked in scriptures?

 

Do you have an answer or waiting for one to be given?

 

This is an important point, however, the blacks reflect that continued subjugation has prevented the exercise of freedoms.

And they do have a point.

it wasn’t until the Johnson administration that “civil rights” for all was enacted.

Therefore, the perspective isn’t 100 years ago, but those born even in the last 30 years.

Black parents still have “the talk” when their children begin driving.

The fear and the perceptions have continued to this day.

The white churches are still havens of racism. Churches in the 1960’s split to form racial clubs when “separate but equal” was struck down.

Would it not be better to present a plan giving certain reparation tied with forced repatriation and loss of citizenship to any who desired?

If the slaves were illegally (morally) brought, then they should be (upon given reparation) considered illegal aliens and deported.

 

The case isn’t closed just because that is the expressed desire.

Subjugation did not end at Appomattox Court House.

 

What happened to “forty acres and a mule?”

Here is a shot documentary in which every Baptist should read.

Why, Baptist? Well, read the short report.

What a change the whole would have made.

What happened? Read this link.

The Truth Behind '40 Acres and a Mule' | African American History Blog | The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross