[Keisha26535]

Reparations are a widely debated issue in the African American community and I am of the belief that those who are against are usually those who do not understand the need for it. There are older people who are actually for reparations, such as U.S. Rep. John Conyers(D-Detroit) who has put forth a bill every year since 1989 to study the need for reparations. I am a younger person who thinks it is absolutely imperative that this government realize the wrongs of its past and make retributions for those wrongs. Reparations are not about handing out paychecks to black people. It is about making sure everyone has a fair start in life. I don’t want to give a history lesson, but I will say this, slavery existed in this country for 250 years. During that time black people in America were not even considered human beings. It was a crime for them to learn to read or write, they could not participate in business transactions, they could not vote, beatings and lynchings were a common part of their lives and most importantly they were often bought and sold away from their loved ones. Slaves contributed to every aspect of the growth of America, but received no compensation or recognition. This was at a time when the American government was giving away land for individuals to develop and prosper from. When slavery ended in 1865 the treatment of black people like slaves did not end. Black people continued to be prevented from voting, due to the illiteracy among freed slaves they were consistently swindled out of their money and property, and attempts to own their own homes or businesses were often met with threats of violence. This behavior continued well into the 1900s and as immigrants from many European nations were allowed to come to America in search for a better life, people from Africa were kept out while the black people already here saw themselves being treated as if there were unwanted foreigners. There is no doubt black people were able to make strides despite all the roadblocks and obstacles pitted against them. This just showed they had perseverance, it didn’t mean things were getting easier for them. Continued in next response.

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Name : Keisha26535, City : Detroit, State : MI, Country : United States, 

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