Spring Break
Reparations would hurt blacks in the country
By: Collins Ezeanyim
Issue date: 4/13/04 Section: Opinion
Advances in DNA technology have improved the ability to link crimes to suspects. Recently, DNA has been used by misguided activists seeking reparations for American slavery. But these people, who waste so much energy futilely pursuing something they will never have, would do better to channel their resources on issues that truly affect the black community.
On March 29, descendants of slaves filed a $1 billion lawsuit against American and British corporations in federal court in Manhattan, according to an Associated Press story. The corporations include Lloyd's of London, FleetBoston and R.J. Reynolds. What makes this lawsuit intriguing and, frankly, somewhat disturbing is that the eight plaintiffs have used DNA technology to link themselves to blacks who brutally suffered due to the American slave trade.
All Americans recognize slavery as a permanent stain on American history. It was a disgusting, dehumanizing institution that undermined the United States' foundation as a free and democratic republic.
But unfortunately, no living slave is available to collect the restitution that he has rightfully earned. It would be acceptable if the children of the released slaves were served reparations. The plaintiffs of this lawsuit are too far removed to morally collect any money relating to the slave trade.
It is obvious that reparations activists do not only seek to gain financially, but they wish to punish someone for the past horrors caused by American slavery. The stories of how American slaves were treated would certainly make almost anyone want to lash out. Unfortunately, in the same way the victims of slavery are gone, the perpetrators of those hideous acts are also no longer around.
If the reparations activists truly wanted to do something positive, instead of suing companies that have profited from slavery in the past, they could work with these corporations to invest in inner-city neighborhoods and to support diversity-building policies such as affirmative action.
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