THOUGHTS ABOUT YESTERDAY TODAY AND TOMORROW

THOUGHTS ABOUT YESTERDAY TODAY AND TOMORROW – as seem through my black eyes I have been following the Congressional Committee’s discussion on Reparation for the American Descendants of Slavery. As a historical fiction writer of black family life the concept of reparations is not new to me. What is new is the many interpretations of what reparation is and what it is intended to do and not do. Some people see it as something of value to be taken from white people and given to black people. Some don’t see the need for it–believing the harm to black people by the US Government is too far in the past. Others think reparation would do more harm than good for the already fragile black-white race relationships. It is this point of view that I find most curious even a little strange: it seems to anticipate an angry white response to even the discussion of reparation and perhaps an aggressively physical response if it should become a reality. This fear is well founded in the past white barbaric retaliation to the slightest sign of black economic progress. It’s as if these fearful people see inside the minds of whites and wish to avoid provoking their anger. I think a congressional commission to study reparation–its definition, its scope, and its duration it the just and honorable way to go. The commission must be guided by the specific harm done to African slaves and their American descendants, be guided by the appropriate remedies for bringing good physical, psychological and economic well-being to the whole of American Descendants of Slavery–particularly those descendants still shackled in the prisons of poverty. The commission should not be guided by fear of white retaliation. TODAY DEFINES YESTERDAY AND PREDICTS TOMORROW. We (AMERICANS) can only make our tomorrow today.

ADOS IDENTIFIABLE GROUP FOR REPARATION..

ADOS IS AN IDENTIFIABLE GROUP TO MAKE A LEGAL CLAIM FOR AMERICAN SLAVERY-DISCRIMINATION REPARATION Many groups and individuals have at times laid out a case for reparation. The identity of those groups and individuals have, more often than not, been at least ambiguous and at most virtually useless – for legal purposes. It would be misguided to think that all black groups or individuals with a slavery-discrimination grievance should seek redress from the American Government. Groups and individuals whose ancestors or themselves suffered harm under slavery-discrimination in another country should seek redress from that country. There is yet no world sovereign government with its own judiciary – not forgetting an enforcement arm. The best bet now is for groups within the diaspora to support each other where goals are common. American Descendants Of Slavery’s only reason for being is to secure reparation for ADOS.