Slavery in America occurred between the 18th and 19th century and was ended by the enacting of the Thirteenth Amendment. When one considers that there was reparation for slave owners who were “loyal to the union” as they were compensated by government for the “loss of their slaves” to the tune of up to $300. This compensation was in addition to the loyalty clause, a reparation for loss of income sustained as a result of loss of their slaves. These slaves managed estates of their overlords and especially because they have been previously purchased from “slavers markets” on arrival from Africa.
Some slaves had generation upon generation in slavery, to the 3rd and 4th generation in some cases. So, being born to a slave automatically condemned one to a life of slavery. If the slave owners’ could be paid for loss of income, is it not also logical for descendants of slaves to be compensated when one thinks of the value they imparted on the US economy at the time?
It is difficult to stand on the fence regarding opinion of slavery when the question of humanity comes into question. But even as the issue of reparation comes up again and again, it is difficult to reach a quick conclusion regarding the form reparations would take. What is clear however is that there was injustice done to African Americans and somehow, the US need to atone for their turpitudes against humanity and against the descendants of slaves in the Land of the Free.
For a fact, the US economy back then was partially built from the misfortune of slaves who were in the service of the political and business class of the then US. History was not fair to slaves, but history can be rewritten if their descendants are somewhat compensated for the travails of their ancestors.
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