Questions for proponents of reparations
While there is a growing cry for reparation payments, what has been
noticably absent (often even pointed out by proponents) is a lack of a
clear plan for how such reparation payments will be made. It is my opinion
that the problems with reparation payments can be seen in this confusion.
To show this, I have put below a list of questions for those who are
pro-reparations. Feel free to give me your replies regarding this, noting
that I will reserve to right to use your answers on this web site,
and that if you do not approve of this you are advised not to reply. I'm
coming out in the open for this in a way that's risking far more than
simply my opinions being made known, so I don't believe this is an
unreasonable request.
List of questions
- The most important question: who will receive payments? This is divided
into many sub-questions, but we'll take them one at a time. So for
starters, how will you determine whether or not someone is "black"? Will
there be a commitee, or an agency made (or will an existing one be used?).
- In the case where it cannot easily be determined by skin color alone,
will family geneology be used? (Relatedly, one would then have to apply
question #1 to one's ancestors.) If so, what percentage of a person's lineage
would need to be "black" in order for them to qualify for payments? 1/2? 1/8?
1/32? And if they were only a percentage "black", would they only receive
partial reparation payments?
- Will those who are determined to be "black" also be
required to pay the taxes necessary to fund such reparations, in effect
paying reparations to themselves? If they are exempted in any way, then how
"black" would someone need to be to qualify for exemption?
- If a "white" could prove through family records that none of their direct
ancestors ever owned slaves would he be exempt from paying?
- If a "white" moved here just last year, would he be required to pay?
- If a "black" moved here just last year, would they be
eligible for reparation payments?
- If a "white" could prove that at least one of his ancestors were
slaves, would he be eligible to receive reparations?
- If it could be proven through family records that none of a
"black's" ancestors had been slaves, would he still be eligible for
reparation payments?
- Since we each have many "ancestors", how do
we deal with different ancestors having different fates? For example, if a
"black" man had both a slave and a slave owner as his ancestor, should he get
reparations? What if only one of any of his 126 ancestors from the last six
generations were a slave: would he still be eligible?
- Will payments take into account the total wealth and/or income of the
receiver? Or, to put it in terms that others have put it, will Oprah
Winfery and Michael Jordan be eligible to receive reparation payments? What
about black politicians, people who already have the ability to create laws
that all citizens of all colors must follow under the threat of
incarceration?
- Will "whites" below the poverty line be required
to pay (even if they are paying to Oprah and Jordan, and "black"
politicians?)
- Will "blacks" who have publicly spoken against reparations, such as
Walter Williams or Larry Elder, be eligible for reparations?
- And for the final question: will payments be something that will
continue indefinitely, or that will be made either once or for a limited
period of time? And if the latter, would getting reparation payments
exactly the way that you want them close out this issue forever, or are
there conditions under which additional future payments might be needed
(and if so, what are those conditions)?
There will likely be more questions added over time. Although it's
not going to be seen that way by everyone one I think just the above is a
strong argument for how utterly inconsistent the notion of reparation
payments for pre-Civil War is with the principles of just compensation for
wrongs committed.
So if you are in favor of reparation payments, please feel free to send
me answers to the above answers if you choose. I'm very honestly curious to
hear what you have to say.
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