The Big Payback
Wealth denied and wealth destroyed is wealth that cannot be given to the next generation.
In 2006, North Carolina issued a major report on the Wilmington white riot. Florida has paid compensation to the descendants of the victims of the 1923 white riot in Rosewood. Congress is now discussing compensation for victims of the Tulsa riot of 1921. These are just a few examples of reparations for blacks that already have been issued or considered.
The present value of 45 million acres of land can be the basis for the initial calculation of restitution on a national scale. The apologies that have been issued are the foundation for a full program of reparations that the nation long has needed. To move from apology to closure requires restitution.
Let us proceed.
William Darity is an arts and sciences professor of public policy studies at Duke University.
Kirsten Mullen is a writer, folklorist and director of the literary consortium of Carolina Circuit Writers.
Also on The Root:
Erin Evans reminisces about Juneteenth, Casey Lartigue Jr. considers trading reparations for affirmative action and Katrina Browne confronts slavery in the Deep North.
Discuss:
The Big Payback
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View All Comments »jdylan at 07/13/2008 1:33:55 AM
Comment:
Thank you. You honor me when you differentiate between us. Truth is cold and hard and does not digest in everyones stomach. Especially those who still pray to a god. How shameful is that to behold and believe the foolishness of good and evil. Should the truth present itself to you you would call it a devil. The truth says those who can be enslaved will be enslaved. And if they can't free themselves they have no right to be free and truly will never know how to be. Always a slave morality will follow them. Especially those enslaved by god and the fetters it places man in. Of course you do not have the ability to be free from all things; virtues, ideals, principles, morality. You lack the ability to see yourself superior to your race because you believe the lie of equality, but continuously you argue against it unknowingly. Truly you lack the ability to count to three.
Robin08 at 07/10/2008 2:49:32 PM
Comment:
Countryboy,
By the way -- this is the correct spelling of apologize.
Robin08 at 07/10/2008 2:41:42 PM
Comment:
Countryboy,
We will continue to pray for you and your ilk to one day be healed from the narrow, simpleminded mentality that causes you to see the world through the prism of racist stereotypes. Gods speed to you Countryboy.