Reparations
This is a mostly unpopular idea for white people in the US, because it involves a potential loss of money, as well as formally acknowledging our nation’s and ancestors’ guilt, and the fact that we currently benefit from white supremacy.
Reparations is the idea of financially compensating people for wrongs done to them, or their ancestors. It is a huge step on the way to equity. No amount of money will ever make up for our past wrongs or current benefits, but it’s mostly symbolic. Black people, and their ancestors, are owed acknowledgement and apologies for what we did.
There is no current consensus of what or how reparations will be handled, but I highly suggest you start working on your feelings about it now. This is the right thing to do. Our nation has done it in the past, for Japanese Americans interned during the second World War. We must do this for Black and Indigenous people in this country. Whether it’s money or land back, the communities should decide, and we make it happen.
No more excuses. But when we do this, it will not resolve inequity or end white supremacy. It won’t be “wiping the slate clean” or “now we’re even.” It’ll be a step in the right direction.
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