Anyone in their right mind would agree that slavery was wrong, something which should have never happened. Unfortunately it did. The repercussions of slavery have led to many years of discrimination of African Americans and segregation between whites and blacks. Although segregation and discrimination have been outlawed, signs of racism are still seen and experienced today. Many people feel that reparations for slavery to ancestors of slaves would solve our mistakes of the past. David Horowitz, a writer, wrote an ad, "Ten Reasons Why Reparations for Slaver is a Bad Idea - and Racist Too." This ad created quite a controversy across the nation. Many people confiscated magazines and newspapers that printed this ad. I think its an outright shame that people can not submit their ideas and opinions. In agreement with Horowitz, one can see how reparations are not the answer to make amends for and correct the wrongs that were inflicted upon black American slaves. .
In addressing the idea of reparations, an African American columnist, Jack White, wrote "sorry isn't good enough, [w]ithout some form of reparations, apologizing for a historical wrong is a empty gesture" (Metro 4). This statement is outrageous. Most Americans are saddened that slavery, which allowed horrendous treatment of humans beings, occurred. In fact, "resolved by the House of Representatives (the senate concurring) that the congress apologizes to African Americans whose ancestors suffered as slaves under the constitution and laws of the United States.(Metro). This apology, issued by the United States House of Representatives, to the descendents of slaves, is not enough for many African Americans. David Horowitz explains how "most living Americans have no connection (direct or indirect) to slavery" (Horowitz). How can we blame and make so many people pay for something which they directly or indirectly have no connections to whatsoever.
