REPARATIONS
The Voice Of Racism
ANTI- REPARATIONS UNEDITED
The argument against reparations is divided between those who question the economics of the proposed plans, like William Darity, Jr in last Sunday’s NY Times, and those citizens who embrace racist reasoning to think that the plans are not necessary and are just punitive. “Why are those people always looking backward? A car has a small rearview mirror and a large front window because we are supposed to be focusing on the future. Aware of what is behind us, but not focusing on it,” complained one interviewee. “We have given them opportunities that can only be considered ‘Reverse Discrimination.’ We let them go ahead of candidates that have worked hard and deserve those opportunities.” This conversation made me think of the episode of “All in the Family,” where Mike is passed over for promotion by a candidate of color and told, “Well, you of all people should understand.” And, Mike looked very
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sour, because he wanted that promotion for his young family. “Affirmative action started with President Kennedy in 1961 (with the Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity). That is 60 years for blacks to jump the line and catch up. I think we have done enough. It’s time for blacks who have succeeded to help out others from their old neighborhood.” For decades, our government has devised social programs to “lift up the oppressed minority” (not my words). While some have achieved, overall equality has not been reached. The cry from my interviewees was that the number of programs and the amount of money to be paid seemed to be infinite. “When will the blacks feel that they have gotten enough?” “When will we stop having to pay, pay, pay?” “If you got the Evanston money, then you are still eligible for more money. How many lines can one person stand in?” “Where is the list that says ‘You have been paid your
