The Motions of Time

 My Observations:

Black people do not experience time in the same way as their White counterparts. The Black experience is not told by those who endured it, but rather by the perspective of Whiteness. We turn on the news or bear witness to Black culture, and there is a lack of understanding because the contributions that Black people have made in history are erased. In fact, this erasure is ironic because the effects of Black history are happening right in front of our eyes.

What is a process? A process is defined as a series or chain of events taken in order to obtain a particular end.
When we look at Black bodies within history especially in America, it seems as if part of the Black experience is erased. Those who do not experience Blackness, will not endure the effects of history in the same way. It is like building a house. Generally, in order to have a stable house, one must create the blueprint. Once the blueprint and logistics are finalized, it is time to start the foundation of the house. The foundation is extremely important because it will allows for the house to withstand any consequences of its environment or time. Once the house is built, it is now inhabitable. 

This logic can be applied to the Black experience. In this case, the blueprint is time. Black people were not apart of the creating process. Their oppressors were the creators of this blueprint. Unfortunately, this agenda or blueprint were created in the means of building a foundation stable enough for its creators. Meaning, that the house that was built was for White people to inhabit it and live comfortably. The foundation is oppression and racial hierarchy. 

Essentially, what I am saying is that Black people have fallen victim to an agenda. The goal of this agenda is to maintain a hierarchy, in which the benefits of their labor is given to their oppressors. It is a process, in which steps are set in place to keep Black people within a certain predicament that is hard to overcome. This can be applied to education, the workforce, or even living communities. History continuously repeats itself. For example, segregation and "red-lining," is something that we consider to be of the past. However, if we look at our own communities or communities surrounding us, segregation still exists under the gaze of "modern segregation." The only difference is that the driving force is gentrification. Predominantly Black communities are becoming gentrified, which pushes them out of their neighborhoods in order to make room for White people. It is as if there is no such thing of Black existence. 

Prompt: 

To what extent do Caney's arguments about reparations regarding anthropogenic climate change apply to the issue of reparations for slavery?

Climate change has an impact on everyone, but when it comes down to the most vulnerable, the impact is different. Black and Brown communities face the brunt of climate change because of the lack of resources that these communities are exposed to. Black people tend to find themselves in a continuous fight for Black humanity and justice. This continuous fight does not only apply to equality and the worth of Black lives, but also environmentally. Black people contribute to the fight against Climate change, but it is not credited to the same extent as White people. In terms of reparations regarding anthropogenic climate change, Caney's argument addresses the question of who should bear the brunt of climate change? It considers this question by discussing the problems of the Polluter Pays Principle. This principle is the practice that those who produce pollution should bear the costs of managing to prevent damage to the human population and the environment. He stresses the fact that calls for reparations can be made in a variety of way, in this case the call for environmental reparations and justice. Although, people are entitled to protection from the effects of climate change, when reparations are brought into the mix it becomes a difficult situation. Caney argues that we should not put the responsibilities on the perpetrators nor the beneficiaries because everyone have a moral responsibility, but that does not dispute the fact that less vulnerable within society deserves protection. 

Additional Sources:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4CEKlDswSI

The Racial Politics of Time -- Brittney Cooper | TEDWomen 2016