The Importance Of Reparations To African Americans

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Throughout the years African Americans have suffered both mental and physical pain and unjustness. “The existence of Slavery in its most cruel form among them, has a tendency to brutalize the humane and finer feelings of their nature. Daily witnesses of human suffering—listening to the agonizing screeches of the slave—beholding him writhing beneath the merciless lash—bitten and torn by dogs—dying without attention, and buried without shroud or coffin—it cannot otherwise be expected,” (205-207). Many believe that reparations should be given based on reasons stated above. However reparations are “the making of amends for a wrong one has done, by paying money to or otherwise helping those who have been wronged.” Reparations are amends owed to the victims of American slavery. Moreover paying reparations hundreds of years later does not make up for the suffering African Americans faced, rather it pays off their relatives. Reparations were and are a way to compensate for appalling actions many Americans have committed, unfortunately it is too late for these amends to be made.…show more content…
One side argues that reparations are owed to the relatives of slaves for the injustices slaves faced during that time, and could potentially mend the bridge between African-Americans and whites. Nevertheless, paying reparations to the relatives of slaves does not help those who have been wronged, rather it pays the family for something that occurred hundreds of years ago. Reparations are punishing relatives of slave owners who had nothing to do with the matter. While the idea of reparations was good it is too late to repay those who suffered during the time of

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