My Stance Essay

Debate 4 - Reparations for African Americans: Overdue Justice?

The era of slavery was not a particularly grand time in American history. In all actuality, the atrocities and heinous acts committed will never be accurately depicted nor justified. During the Reconstruction period, American congressmen and politicians struggled with concepts on how to successfully take strides forward in creating an equal America which best upholds the values and decrees stated within the Constitution. After the passage and acceptance of the 13^th, 14^th, and 15^th Amendments, along with the abolishment of Jim Crow laws, and the establishment of Equal Opportunity Acts and countless organizations concerned foremost with the advancement of African Americans, many citizens declare adequate reparations have not yet been made. Kibibi Tyehimba, Co-Chair for the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America, agrees with these sympathies. Debating that such actions are illogical and unconstitutional is Roger Clegg, President and General Counsel for the Center for Equal Opportunity. Both men plead their case before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. Both these men requested their stance be heard concerning H.R. 40, a House of Representatives resolution sponsored by Representative John Conyers. The ambitions of the resolution are discover the extent of injustices slavery caused and then to create an apology for those actions.

Kibibi Tyehimba begins his statement by depicting the grotesque accounts of slavery and the infinite disadvantages African Americans have been burdened with as a result. Tyehimba presents five areas in which he believes the African American people suffer greatest. These areas include the loss of African nationhood, significant disadvantages in education, unfair criminal punishment for convicted African Americans, the extreme gap between wealthy White Americans and African Americans, and the staggering difference in African American health in comparison to that of White Americans. Tyehimba continues by stating the moral and legal justification for the reparations which the African American community deserves is long overdue. In conclusion Tyehimba declares acts of reparation will only bridge the gap between white supremacy and the devastation unleashed upon the African American community due to slavery and racial acts afterward. Tyehimba feels the only way to move forward is for America to face the past and deal with it.

Roger Clegg presents a stance in stark contrast to that of Tyehimba’s. Clegg begins his discussion by proclaiming H.R. 40 is “an unnecessary and hopeless task for such a government commission.” Citing that there already has been an enormous amount of research focused upon unearthing the direct results of slavery within the African American community and that it would be absurd for any congressional committee to deem otherwise. An additional point in Clegg’s argument is that a “race-based compensation would be both illogical and unconstitutional” for African Americans are not the sole ethnic group facing trials and tribulations and to present compensations would directly go against the basis of the foundation which forms American and the American dream. Furthermore, Clegg believes “an apology would make no sense either,” as there are no longer any slave owners nor slaves alive, thereby creating an apology that would be given to no one for whom it was intended. Clegg concludes that H.R. 40 would “accomplish nothing and would cost much.”

Upon reading both statements and allowing significant time for pondering, I believe each man has valid points but one argument outweighs the other. The points which Tyehimba presents are at best ludicrous and outlandish. African Americans are allowed to freely express their heritage and nationhood and even have a month designated for such events to transpire. With the abolishment of segregation, African Americans receive the exact same educational opportunities as White Americans and African Americans even have scholarships set aside strictly for advancing their educational opportunities. The accusation concerning African Americans receive harsher penalties and even being arrested more frequently than White Americans is ridiculous and a farce. America has strict laws and the consequences for breaking these laws are the same for whoever commits the crimes. The fact that African Americans are arrested at higher rates is exactly that, a fact, and the only action which can be done to combat these facts is to eliminate the breaking of the laws; point blank and simple. Tyehimba failed to accurately depict the validity of his points; thereby one can only conclude his statement was one based on favoritism and false logic.

Not a single soul can deny the horrible events which ensued upon African Americans during the era of slavery and even up to the late 1960s; however, Americans realized their wrongs and have gone vast lengths to assure African Americans have an equal place in society. It is only natural for African Americans to harbor feelings of ill will, malice and spite, even to feel as if they are entitled to sufficient reparations; nonetheless, America has abolish slavery, granted freedoms and rights to all ethnic groups through the passage of the 13^th, 14^th and 15^th Amendments. When a white man and a minority have identical credentials and apply for the same position, the job must go to the minority as a result of Affirmative Action. Through countless strides and legislation, American congressmen and politicians have ensured the tragedy of slavery and Jim Crow laws will never again resurface. The era of slavery is a black eye for American history, but the remarkable aspect of a black eye is that a black eye will heal. No one will ever be able to sweep the accounts of slavery under the rug, and the actions which incurred with never be forgotten. African Americans have been given and continue to receive every opportunity for advancement in society, and many African Americans take advantage of these opportunities and accomplish indescribable feats which shape and mold the day to day lives of us all. Sadly it is those who refuse to accept the open hand of America and continue to dwell on the past which causes America to remain stuck between gears. White Americans should never forget slavery and the direct effects it had on those who were enslaved. African Americans should continue to take advantage of the immense opportunities supplied to them. American is a nation of unity, with work from both sides and an infinite sense of equality, citizens, regardless of ethnic makeup, will continue to prosper while pursuing happiness. The wounds of America’s past have only provided an opportunity for America to grow stronger and continue to be the great nation it is.