My Two Cents About Reparations

I believe that reparations should be given to the descendants of slaves.

Now before you react…

Just hear me out.

Here in the United States, slavery wasn’t just a social issue.

It was an economic one.

Yes, there was an economy before slavery.

But slavery expanded that economy.

Built it.

Strengthened it.

And it did so on the backs of people who were never paid.

Let’s be clear about that.

Millions of people…

Working…

For free…

For over 250 years.

That’s not just history.

That’s unpaid labor on a massive scale.

And even after 1865, when slavery was abolished, things didn’t suddenly become fair.

Former slaves—and their descendants—were often paid far less than their white counterparts.

Still struggling.

Still trying to build something from nothing.

My own great-grandmother, born in 1913, told me she worked at a dry cleaners making $0.13 a day.

Thirteen cents.

Now ask yourself…

How do you build a life on that?

How do you buy a home?

A car?

Feed your family?

Create stability?

You don’t.

So when people talk about reparations…

And ask, “Why now?”

My answer is simple:

It’s about time.

Now yes…

There are African-Americans who have overcome poverty and achieved incredible success.

And that deserves recognition.

Respect.

Celebration.

But let’s not confuse exceptions with the rule.

There are still generations of families living in poverty.

Still trying to climb out.

Still facing barriers that didn’t just appear overnight.

And yes, personal responsibility matters.

It does.

But so does context.

So does history.

So does understanding how long-term disadvantages shape mindset, opportunity, and access.

Because not everyone starts from the same place.

And when you stack generations of limited access, low wages, housing barriers, and systemic obstacles…

It creates a cycle that is not easy to break.

So when I hear conversations about reparations, I don’t hear “handout.”

I hear:

“Unpaid debt.”

And one way to begin closing that chapter…

Is to acknowledge it in a tangible way.

Because let’s be honest.

If reparations were given, a large portion of that money would circulate right back into the economy.

The government already knows that.

But what’s often overlooked is this:

Reparations could provide opportunity.

Opportunity to invest.

To build.

To stabilize.

To finally get ahead instead of constantly trying to catch up.

Because right now, for many people, it feels like trying to climb…

With something still pressing down on you.

You save for a home—denied.

You fix your credit—still questioned.

You work hard—still behind.

Not because you didn’t try.

But because the starting point was never the same.

So let me say this clearly:

Reparations should not be viewed as charity.

If you were owed wages from a job…

You would expect to be paid.

If your family left you something…

A house.

Land.

A car.

You would fight to claim it.

Because you understand what it took to earn it.

So imagine knowing your ancestors worked, sacrificed, endured…

And that what they built was never returned to them.

Would you just let that go?

Or would you fight for what you believe is right?

That’s why this conversation continues.

That’s why it keeps coming up.

That’s why it’s not going away.

You don’t have to agree.

And I respect that.

But if you can understand that last example…

Then you can at least understand why people feel the way they do.

And sometimes…

Understanding is the first step toward real change.

Alright… I’m done with my two cents too 😌