Are reparations for slavery necessary? There are valid arguments for both sides, however, there are numerous reasons why reparations would not be beneficial. Reparations should not be made to African Americans because of the high cost as well as complexity, it could erupt additional complications with other groups, and reparations have already been made. First, reparations would be expensive. According to a journal published on Social Science Quarterly, Craemer estimated that slavery reparations could potentially cost anywhere between 5.9 trillion dollars and 14.2 trillion dollars. Such numbers were estimated by gathering the total work hours for all the African American slaves during 1776 to 1865. This number was multiplied by the “amount
…show more content…
For instance, Native Americans were forced out of their land by Americans and placed into reservations that were comparative to a “third world,” according to A Program of Partnership With Native Americans. Chinese Americans suffered from the Oriental Exclusion Act which prohibited Chinese Americans from coming into America. Also, Mexican Americans affected by the Mexican-American War were denied the right to move into their prior country that Americans unrightfully took. Of course, these groups did not experience the exact type of treatment that African Americans received. However, Coates noted that reparations would cost up to 34 billion dollars every year over the course of decades while Craemer estimated reparations could potentially cost anywhere between 5.9 trillion dollars to 14.2 trillion dollars total. Therefore, if African Americans were to get such extravagant reparations, don’t the other groups deserve at least something as …show more content…
Of course, it can be agreed that slavery of African Americans was immoral as African Americans suffered through heinous maltreatment, cruelty, and unfair discrimination. However, due to the long passage of time, individuals existing today have no direct connection to it. To make individuals pay for actions committed by other people would not be fair. Not only would it be unfair to those who have to pay, but it would be extremely expensive and the process of carrying out such reparations would be extremely complex. In addition, reparations for slavery could potentially emanate additional reparations for other groups such as Native Americans, Chinese Americans or Mexican Americans. Hence, reparations for slavery should not be
For instance, Native Americans were forced out of their land by Americans and placed into reservations that were comparative to a “third world,” according to A Program of Partnership With Native Americans. Chinese Americans suffered from the Oriental Exclusion Act which prohibited Chinese Americans from coming into America. Also, Mexican Americans affected by the Mexican-American War were denied the right to move into their prior country that Americans unrightfully took. Of course, these groups did not experience the exact type of treatment that African Americans received. However, Coates noted that reparations would cost up to 34 billion dollars every year over the course of decades while Craemer estimated reparations could potentially cost anywhere between 5.9 trillion dollars to 14.2 trillion dollars total. Therefore, if African Americans were to get such extravagant reparations, don’t the other groups deserve at least something as …show more content…
Of course, it can be agreed that slavery of African Americans was immoral as African Americans suffered through heinous maltreatment, cruelty, and unfair discrimination. However, due to the long passage of time, individuals existing today have no direct connection to it. To make individuals pay for actions committed by other people would not be fair. Not only would it be unfair to those who have to pay, but it would be extremely expensive and the process of carrying out such reparations would be extremely complex. In addition, reparations for slavery could potentially emanate additional reparations for other groups such as Native Americans, Chinese Americans or Mexican Americans. Hence, reparations for slavery should not be