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Should the US pay African Americans reparations for slavery

Poll - Total Votes: 56
Yes. That number is worth it
I wanna pay but that's too much money
I don't wanna pay but I do think they deserve something else
No. They don't deserve anything
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You can only vote on one answer.
I just ran some simple numbers.

By the time of slavery's abolition the US had condoned slavery for 88 years (1864-1776).

Around that time the average wage of someone of their occupation was $10/year making the total sum owed in 1864 to be $880.

With inflation that would be worth $22,500 today.

Assuming we literally paid every single African American (which we wouldn't) that means the US would have to give them $945B (based on a population of 42M African Americans).

Given this data, would you accept that $945B is an acceptable sum to pay to finally repay the ancestors of slaves and finally remove the idea of white guilt from US culture?
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It’s funny, this question really struck a nerve. Not [b]your[/b] fault, or even an unreasonable question. Other groups, like Native Americans, have received reparations for the things that were done to them and taken from them. I admit, I blocked a few people because of their replies here, and if I could’ve seen some of those replying to the poll, probably would’ve blocked many more. I don’t know if they realize what happened, don’t believe it or are really that cruel as people.
But I do know this:
During Reconstruction the idea of reparations was kicked around with the proposal of giving the newly freed slaves per family a parcel of land to work and a mule—a considerably smaller number of people than [b]today[/b]. But the government did not follow through and in their zeal to mollify the defeated South they allowed some of the personal freedoms that had been won to be taken away.

The descendants of the slaves didn’t even receive an [b]apology[/b] from the U.S. until the 21st century.
Personally, I don’t think a monetary amount would be possible now without bankrupting the country. And to whom would it go ? Just like everybody “became” Native American when stipends and scholarships became available, I’m pretty certain blonde-haired, blue-eyed African Americans would be coming out of the woodwork if [b]money[/b] were suddenly involved.
Because among the disadvantages of slavery were [b]laws[/b] prohibiting the education of slaves, and later Jim Crow restricting blacks from attending many schools or colleges, free or affordable college or trade school might still make sense towards some kind of redress. My slave ancestors made certain that their children went to school; I’m a third generation college graduate. Education has pulled a lot of people out of poverty. Only a small percentage would want or even need to take advantage of that type of program. But I suspect it might be considered more “fair” and have a longer term impact than handing everyone a check.
Just a thought.
(edit, grammar)
Pfuzylogic · M
@bijouxbroussard
Spike Lee had his production company named “40 acres and a mule” to remember what the government had promised and then didn’t make good on.
What troubles me is how openly racist this president is. I lost my respect for him and refuse to capitalize his last name. He deserves no respect, zero.
@Pfuzylogic I totally agree.
DaughterOfTheDust · 22-25, F
Very well written, I agree completely. @bijouxbroussard