WASHINGTON — I recently gave (approving) space to a novel reparations proposal by Yale psychiatrist James Comer and invited readers to respond. ("Tax deductions might make reparations work", May 28). The responses, while covering virtually the entire gamut of opinion, have clustered around the negative end.
The proposal — to remind — is that African Americans be allowed to divert up to 95 percent of their federal income taxes to a foundation (or a series of foundations) created to help eradicate the effects of slavery and its aftermath. The money would fund education, family life and economic development programs, including the enlistment of members of the black middle class and others as tutors, youth counselors and role models.
Here are a sampling of the reader responses:
"You try to put forth for America to mull over without assessing guilt. One cannot ignore guilt because reparations are about guilt and victimization. … To suggest that African Americans should be the major financiers of reparations is ironic to say the least."
And on the opposite end:
"Reparations? If any are due, you and yours are greatly indebted to those who altered the base of your lineage and shifted it from its base in Africa to its new homeland in America."
A few struck me as openly racist. But most of those who objected to the Comer proposal — and to reparations in general — were more philosophical. For example:
"Yes the proposal has merit and good intentions, but isn’t this what we’ve had for decades — for example, affirmative action, quotas, Head Start, earned income tax credits, preferential awarding of contracts to minorities, scholarships. I have no problem with these trying to help and correct as long as needed. Head Start is one of the best projects available. The new reparations drive can only cause more racial division." Or:
"There is no doubt that slavery was a great evil perpetrated on black people in the early years of our nation. It would be so simple if it were only white people who were at fault, that the victims of past wrongs could easily be identified … (but) some white folk who never benefited from the practice went to war to end it." Others:
"Now I personally feel that this country owes African Americans some kind of monetary reparations based upon past slavery (but) this proposal reeks of nothing more than a higher class of welfare. No one can positively affect my behavior without first consulting me."
"As a white American, I can’t think of a better use for my taxes. Sign me up!"
"Although I share in the abhorrence of such an act as slavery, I do not feel responsible for it. The slave trade was initiated in Africa, and continues today on that continent."
"The black man is always wanting something for nothing. They came here on a boat for free and have been wanting something free ever since."
"What are you going to do for Native Americans (which is part of my heritage) who experienced attempted genocide at the hands of your government? And what about the various groups who will want to hop on this wagon and dedicate their tax dollars only to their particular causes?"
"I admire you greatly, but have you slipped a cog? I can’t think of anything that would be more divisive for America. … Blacks were grossly mistreated during and after slavery, but to dwell on that is self-defeating. History is full of man’s inhumanity to man, and one time or another all races have experienced same."
"When black Americans get off their collective butt and start working to earn their position in society, and get rid of this notion that somehow everybody owes them a living, then maybe you get somewhere. … As long as you continue to promote this victim attitude and insist on being addressed as African Americans, you’ll always be on the outside looking in."
"Let’s get real. We are in this together. With all its faults, America is still the best country in the world. The object of all Americans, and all ethnic groups, should be to let bygones be bygones. Drop all bias and prejudice, and start here to build a better and stronger land where injustice and bigotry can be abolished, starting at the individual level."
A few words of caution: First, the letters excerpted here don’t represent a proportional sample of those who responded (and those who responded don’t necessarily represent a cross section of America). And second: Backers of reparations, depending, as they must, on the American majority (or their representatives), have their work cut out for them.
William Raspberry can be reached at The Washington Post Writers Group, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, DC 20071-9200 or willrasp@washpost.com.
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