With the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution in December 1865, slavery was officially abolished in all areas of the United States. Though this caused uproar in the south, while the slaves were quite pleased. .
At first, the African-Americans were just happy to be free: then as time has moved on, they have become determined to get more. By more: they don't just desire an apology, they desire reparation. African American political leaders feel the need for a financial "apology." Basically, they want the U.S. Government to reimburse the descendants of the black slaves for all the pain and suffering that they endured, with a very large check. .
The USA is the only country where reparations for slavery have become a serious possibility. Already, economists are on the job. They are preparing a sum for the individuals who would qualify to receive a monetary "apology." Basically, the article states the idea of paying African Americans for something that happened several centuries ago is unjust. The Thirteenth amendment was put into place to stop slavery, and it did! So why should our government pay well over $200,000 per individual for something that wasn't even illegal during the years it was practiced? .
The author Randall Robinson states "I don't think that there is very much appreciation in America of a casual relationship between the present condition of the black community and the 246 year crime of American slavery, how it debilitated a whole people psychologically, socially and economically - .
The article argues back by stating that the people in charge of this "rebellion" are very wealthy African American lawyers who sure wouldn't mind having a few more dollars in their pockets. They feel that they are quite hurt traumatically by the way their ancestors were treated. .
Reparation for slavery is like putting a giant band-aid on the situation. But by what they are saying, this pain for them won't go away.