My people came through Ellis Island in the 1880’s. Basically because we were European trash. Historically we had nothing to do with slavery or the genocide of the indigenous peoples of this continent. So we have no responsibility for that.
I’d be the first to admit that we took advantage of an American economy that was built on those injustices. Do we owe reparations on that basis? In that case, anyone who immigrates today is also taking advantage of an economy built on slavery and should also owe reparations. Or anyone receiving foreign aid abroad.
You could make this about larger economic justice. The 1% gained > 1T$ of net worth during COVID. But you have made this about race. Which is exactly what keeps us from focusing on real and substantial economic justice… as Bob and Joe are both in poverty making minimum wage, but Bob is holding Joe down because he is white and Joe is black— while the CEO they work for is doing stock buy backs to squirt cash at shareholders.
