There has been many articles in the news recently about the
reparations movement in the States and the Disclosure Laws which force
companies to disclose any links they may have had to slavery in the
past. This has caused much debate as ones could imagine. The most recent
story I have read and one that I
have just posted a link to states
"We’re placing reparations in a much broader context,"
Mawuli Mel Davis, a defense attorney from Atlanta, told
BlackAmericaWeb.com in a recent interview. "We see
reparations as a way to impact the future of our children."
"Some see reparations as being about the past," said
Davis, who is also a coordinator of the reparations movement.
"But although it’s grounded in the past, it really speaks to
contemporary issues that directly plague our communities."
As a visitor to the States I agree. I have visited/driven through
both the richest areas and the poorest areas of New York, New Jersey and
Washington. One thing struck me forcibly and that is although you might
see black people in the richest areas, you hardly ever see white people
in the poorest areas. Washington especially struck me as a city in two
halves. We stayed on the outskirts of the town where it was rundown,
motel land. The centre of town is clean, rich and very nice. The
outskirts are dirty, poor and horrible and mostly inhabited by black
people.
If the big companies in America really want to make reparations to
black people I think they should spend some money doing up the ghettos.
Resurfacing the roads. Building better schools and universities.
Building better facilities eg youth clubs, adult education colleges,
hospitals, health centres and better homes. Maybe this would help black
people especially the youths to take pride in their neighbourhoods.
Better education would lead to better jobs and the ability to climb out
of poverty. Scholarships to help black youths get a college education.
Jobs which those companies could also provide. Accommodation and/or
transport to get to those jobs. Also of course funds for repatriation
for those who wish to forward to Africa.
I could go on and as I don't live in the States I might not have the
complete picture but from the little I've seen (and this is supposed to
be the more enlightened North) there is too much segregation. Black
areas, Chinese areas, White areas etc etc etc. What's all that about? In
all my visits I don't think I've seen a Native American??? Although I've
seen their crafts on sale in many places. They need reparations too.
Most of their land was stolen and many of their people
slaughtered.
Maybe I shouldn't criticize as it is not my country and the UK is
hardly perfect, this country owes the rest of the world big time ....
still just some thoughts.
Isis Marydread
