For the sake of argument, let's agree, for the moment, that American descendants of slaves should receive reparations.
The question then arises ... what form should these reparations take? Just handing a big wad of money to someone is not necessarily in their best interests.
If we were talking about Chinese, or immigrants from the Indian sub-continent, we could be pretty sure that almost all of them would spend it wisely: starting or expanding a business, saving it, hiring another tutor for their children.
But would this be the case for the Black community? Surely, some of them would use it wisely. But isn't it obvious that there are a significant number who would not?
So, if there are going to be reparations, let them be like food stamps, which, in theory, can only be spent on food, not on drugs or alcohol. (Note: the operative phrase there is "in theory".)
Here's how I think the reparations should be used: getting inner-city Blacks out of their terrible high crime environment, where the murder rate has shot up in the last two years, for some reason.
So, let the money be used to build new high-rise apartments -- like 'the Projects' in South Chicago -- but in safe areas, where they new inhabitants will be assured of a warm welcome (not among horrible racist XYZ-phobic Trumpsters!)
Identify the areas where 75% or more of the population voted for Joe Biden, and which have average family incomes of $100 000 or greater. (The American average is about $65 000). Areas like Marin County and other parts of the Bay Area, and similar places around the country. In other words, where well-off white liberals live.
Then buy up an acre or two of land there, demolish the homes on it (after compensating the owners), and build the high-rise apartments, and move in several thousand Black people from areas like South Chicago.
The local police, in case they are harboring the same racist attitudes that inner-city police seem to develop, would need to be put on notice that they are not to harrass, arrest, or otherwise bother the new inhabitants.
The local white population would be strongly encouraged to invite their new neighbors into their homes for a welcoming meal.
This is surely the best way to spend reparations money! I know that all white liberals and progressives would welcome this development! (If they don't, they should check their privilege, or read Kendi X about liberal racism.)
Let's think outside of the box here!
The question then arises ... what form should these reparations take? Just handing a big wad of money to someone is not necessarily in their best interests.
If we were talking about Chinese, or immigrants from the Indian sub-continent, we could be pretty sure that almost all of them would spend it wisely: starting or expanding a business, saving it, hiring another tutor for their children.
But would this be the case for the Black community? Surely, some of them would use it wisely. But isn't it obvious that there are a significant number who would not?
So, if there are going to be reparations, let them be like food stamps, which, in theory, can only be spent on food, not on drugs or alcohol. (Note: the operative phrase there is "in theory".)
Here's how I think the reparations should be used: getting inner-city Blacks out of their terrible high crime environment, where the murder rate has shot up in the last two years, for some reason.
So, let the money be used to build new high-rise apartments -- like 'the Projects' in South Chicago -- but in safe areas, where they new inhabitants will be assured of a warm welcome (not among horrible racist XYZ-phobic Trumpsters!)
Identify the areas where 75% or more of the population voted for Joe Biden, and which have average family incomes of $100 000 or greater. (The American average is about $65 000). Areas like Marin County and other parts of the Bay Area, and similar places around the country. In other words, where well-off white liberals live.
Then buy up an acre or two of land there, demolish the homes on it (after compensating the owners), and build the high-rise apartments, and move in several thousand Black people from areas like South Chicago.
The local police, in case they are harboring the same racist attitudes that inner-city police seem to develop, would need to be put on notice that they are not to harrass, arrest, or otherwise bother the new inhabitants.
The local white population would be strongly encouraged to invite their new neighbors into their homes for a welcoming meal.
This is surely the best way to spend reparations money! I know that all white liberals and progressives would welcome this development! (If they don't, they should check their privilege, or read Kendi X about liberal racism.)
Let's think outside of the box here!
