UN Report: US Owes Black People Reparations for a History of "Racial Terrorism" - Page 2

Oerets · #1 09-28-2016, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Joad

The best thing we could do is pass and implement Universal Single Payer Healthcare, and tuition free college for all those who qualify academically . That would benefit the poor more than anyone and since minorities are disproportionately poorer it would help even things up.

YEP! We agree but with a small addendum of mine added.

Barney

JCricket · #2 09-28-2016, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Joad

The best thing we could do is pass and implement Universal Single Payer Healthcare, and tuition free college. That would benefit the poor more than anyone and since minorities are disproportionately poorer it would help even things up.

As to a free education, I would go one step further. If a person is getting welfare, one requisite could be that they are in fact educating themselves, even if it is part of what we have to pay to them to do so. You want welfare, you must also get an education. Note just a token class, but a real education.

I would even go as far as making it part of families who need welfare. Mother need to be sent to school. Put their kids in daycare while mom is in class. Put her kids in school too, make sure they get what they need to be educated. I am nuts overboard on this. Set up dorms and communities for this if needed. Support these folks to get what they need to break out of the poverty trap.

JCricket · #3 09-28-2016, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donquixote99

If someone has a wound that is bleeding, no one complains about the futility of 'throwing bandages at the problem.' And if they need some stitching up, you get them that. And if they need some nursing, and some antibiotics, that too. You do what it takes to heal the wound, or it doesn't heal well, and breaks back open.

How things are in terms of economic justice, both for you and the guy getting out of the hospital, is important. It's not to be disregarded or deferred, but it's another question.

I am a declared s******st. You show me the program that educates, provides for, and improves any person in need and I am on board, fully and completely. A simple handout does not do it. It may be needed as part of the process, but in itself it does not SOLVE the problem.

donquixote99 · #4 09-28-2016, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCricket

I am a declared s******st. You show me the program that educates, provides for, and improves any person in need and I am on board, fully and completely. A simple handout does not do it. It may be needed as part of the process, but in itself it does not SOLVE the problem.

A simple handout would not be an effective program to materially better anyone. It would be an tangible symbol of acceptance that harm has been done, but it would likely do more harm, overall, than good. It's nowhere near my idea of 'reparations,' which boils down to 'what it takes to heal us.'

'Us.' Not 'them.'

donquixote99 · #5 09-28-2016, 05:11 PM

Reparations is a bad word. Pisses people off. People think the moral blame for slavery, and lynchings, is landing on them, and they haven't enslaved or lynched anyone.

But people are still dying, and it's still because of history that won't die. If you don't want the blame, then fine, not many ever have. You're in the good majority.

But the potential for hate is inside each of us. It's just human. And if you think now that the people who say 'black lives matter' are wrong, you are part of the problem.

It will never end, until we decide to make an end. And that means going ahead and taking some of the blame, whoever you are, and whether you think you deserve it or not.

donquixote99 · #6 09-28-2016, 05:42 PM

'Everybody gets a check' is an ignorant idea, and the fact that everyone thinks that when reparations are brought up is one reason why it's a bad word.

Did you read? "The reparations could come in a variety of forms, according to the panel, including "a formal apology, health initiatives, educational opportunities ... psychological rehabilitation, technology transfer and financial support, and debt cancellation."

Whatever therapy is best for healing, to continue my 'heal the wound' metaphor.

And far from the least is the thing that will cost the least: a 'truth and reconciliation' process.

To quote the UN Committee again:

Quote:

In particular, the legacy of colonial history, enslavement, racial subordination and segregation, racial terrorism and racial inequality in the United States remains a serious challenge... Despite substantial changes since the end of the enforcement of Jim Crow and the fight for civil rights, ideology ensuring the domination of one group over another, continues to negatively impact the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of African Americans today.The dangerous ideology of white supremacy inhibits social cohesion amongst the US population.

We ought to just admit this publicly, and apologize for it.