The Greatest Scam Known

"...He began to understand himself as an American. He did not live under the blind decree of justice, but under the heel of a regime that elevated armed robbery to a governing principle."

The Case for Reparations, Ta-Nehisi Coates

My Observations:

I am the product of chattel slavery within the United States of America.

My kin was captured and sold.

Raped and scorned.

Whipped and torn.

Viewed as scientific elements, and subhuman.

Not deserving of a united family.

Not deserving of an education.

Not deserving of life.

We were the currency.

We are the currency.

We deserve the fruits of our labor...

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20500

First St SE, Washington, DC 20004

600 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20002

3700 O St NW, Washington, DC 20057

3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy, Mt Vernon, VA 22121

11350 Constitution Hwy, Montpelier Station, VA 22957

Cambridge, MA 02138

37.0902° N, 95.7129° W

You do the math.

Prompt:

Darby argues that in the short-term it may be preferable to argue for black reparations in a manner that does not depend on the particular causes of racial inequalities and suggests a possible way forward. Do you agree? Explain.

I agree with Darby's argument. It is important to acknowledge that the predicament that a lot of Black people are in are due to the effects of slavery. I believe that reparations will help a lot of Black people advance in society. However, according to the NY Times, Black people are owed about $17 trillion in reparations. The way how Black people are treated today, it is evident that many governing powers do not want to see us advance into higher levels of society. Of course I agree with Darby's argument, but in order to progress forward, it is important to acknowledge the persistent racial inequalities. Almost every other race or group that experienced some form of oppression, received compensation. Black people are the only group of people that has never been compensated for essentially jump starting the world's economy. As a Black individual, it is disheartening knowing that my ancestors built a country, where my life is not valued.