A U.N. affiliated group based in Geneva Switzerland concluded that the history of slavery in the United States justifies reparations for African Americans.

The Washington Post is reporting on the conclusion of a United Nations' Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent (they are a body that reports to the international organization's High Commissioner on Human Rights) that the United States must pay reparations to the African American community to atone for slavery.  The report stated the following:

In particular, the legacy of colonial history, enslavement, racial subordination and segregation, racial terrorism and racial inequality in the United States remains a serious challenge, as there has been no real commitment to reparations and to truth and reconciliation for people of African descent. Contemporary police killings and the trauma that they create are reminiscent of the past racial terror of lynching.  Despite substantial changes since the end of the enforcement of Jim Crow and the fight for civil rights, ideology ensuring the domination of one group over another, continues to negatively impact the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of African Americans today.  The dangerous ideology of white supremacy inhibits social cohesion amongst the US population.

They concluded this recommendation after a fact finding mission in the United Sates earlier this year. Their conclusion is nonbinding on the United States.

The reported stated that these “reparations” could come in a variety of forms, including:

a formal apology, health initiatives, educational opportunities ... psychological rehabilitation, technology transfer and financial support, and debt cancellation.

 How much control do you want the U.N. to have over the United States and which parties ideology do you believe would be more inclined to bow to the pressures of the U.N.?

 Do you believe the citizens of the United States owes reparations to the black community for our past history of Slavery?  Is it up to today’s generation to pay for the horrible mistakes of many generations ago?

Slavery is unfortunately a dark stain on America’s past, but what would this generation paying for that dark stain do for the black community.  We already have civil rights laws in place and that is a very good thing, we have had and continue to have affirmative action policies.  Was this not the way to attempt to atone for the sins of our fore fathers?

How would psychological rehabilitation, technology transfer, financial support, and debt cancellation atone for those past sins?

What would these reparations do to help the black community today?  Is there a better way to continue to address the issues of leveling the playing field here in the United States?

Let’s talk about this today on The Live with Renk Show which airs Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to noon. To let me know your thoughts during the show please call (269) 441-9595.

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