What makes this an interesting debate is the sheer fact that many African Americans, who might be decedents of slaves, are calling the idea of slavery reparations a terrible idea. Armstong Williams, in Should America Pay?even writes that "the reparations bill simply takes for granted that all minorities are victim- (166). He voices his displeasure by saying that the reparations movement is an actuality a step back for African Americans in a nation of whites (Williams, 167). However, Williams's standpoint on the issue is hardly about the money. Williams tries to make a clear point about how the reparations movement is a tragic misguided movement aimed to make the African American community feel victimized. He writes that "they [leaders of reparations movements] fervently maintain that all full-grown, capable minorities ought to blame the missed opportunities of their lives on the slaver that transpired centuries ago as though their pains were interchangeable with those endured by slaves- (165). However, as strong as the point may be, many amongst the privileged are falling into the idea of victimization. Thus, Williams states that instead of fighting for "social retribution,"" the African American community should fight for "individual rights- (166). .
On a more legal level, slavery reparations stray from the personal demoralization that Williams mentions of being a black and wanting slavery reparations. Peter H. Schuck, a professor of law at Yale Law School, mentions the many flaws of the law suit that is fighting for reparations. Schuck characterized the lawsuit as a shear monstrous paperwork task that some person or organization would need to sit down and resolve. He mentions very fundamental reasons as to why the lawsuit needs serious help in the legal department. He writes the four major reasons:.
1. How would it [reparations law] define the beneficiary class?.
2. How would beneficiaries prove their entitlement?.
