I love Ta-Nehisi Coates, however I hate this idea that he keeps calling Bernie Sanders "a radical." Sanders isn't radical. On an international sense he is a moderate. His ideas of "radical" because America is so corrupt and right wing that he seems radical, but he isn't. Scandavian countries have already adopted the majority of what he proposes. Every other modernized nation in the world has some type of single payer healthcare, Germany and other nations have adopted tuition free universities, so this idea that Bernie Sanders is radical is simply untrue.
+Michael Lamar Simeon I tend to agree. The political paradigm has shifted so far right that a position Sanders takes, a more moderate socialism, is seen as radical. The idea that elections not be bought is a 'radical' idea (not excluding higher tax rates for the wealthy, closing loopholes, breaking up bank monopolies, infrastructure programs, police accountability) actually shows how sad the state of politics is that intellectuals find this 'radical' and not 'sensible'.
+Michael Lamar Simeon Totally agree, I live in Vienna. If you check "Taxes" in Europe you will see he is not radical. We have compulsory health care, university fees that are payble, etc etc. etc. To call him a "radical" is to know nothing about Europe. Here we pay 50% taxes when you earn 60K, in the US you pay 37% when you earn 250K !!
+Michael Lamar Simeon this isn't an international election. It's a national one and in the context of U.S. politics he's always been a radical. And comparing largely homogeneous countries that are less than a fraction of our size is a bit silly. And let me tell you from personal experience, Scandinavia isn't the bright beacon of sunshine people like to pretend it is. European countries consistently get used as examples of how the U.S. should work without addressing the many many issues they have internally, such as the ridiculous racism against refugees and Roma peoples, or the vast cultural differences which more than show up in politics. It's a fine argument on paper. One I would support, in a perfect world. But the reality is vastly different and there needs to be a middle ground between the extreme left and extreme right. We'll that's assuming we're talking about equality and not reparations.
+Michael Lamar Simeon Thats true. A single payer system has been introduced by the conservative party in germany. A lot of conservatuve partys in Europe supprt Sanders propsals. According to the logic that Sanders is a radical all the conervative partner partys of the US republican party in Europe are also radical.
Gregor Robak Well that's true. But the Eurozone isn't exactly doing to well these days and the healthcare system isn't the best. The solution is more affordable healthcare. Healthcare in Thailand for example is outstanding an affordable. With many Europeans going there for medical treatments.
What is happening to you ppl? There is someone who is undeniably deep thinker and very smart person. He has an opinion and has his own (and frankly understandable) reasons for it. He is capable of such deep retrospective that he is able to logically overcome some of his own arguments in order to com to "right" conclusion. And all I see here are this 1/2 racist comments. I am white and EU and I don't care about US or race - I just think this man deserves some respect. I like Bernie and I think he would show respect himself.
+SlowerMindsKeepRight Yes. But there is actually more to it: If there is someone that supports bernie from start it is cool. But when there is someone who was against him, then processed some info about him, came to different conclusions, changed his mind and is now endorsing bernie instead of opposing him -> now that is strong. Especially when it is someone like Ta-Nehisi: respected, smart and with far reach in respect to his community. This all just proves simple fact: most of ppl that stop for 20 minutes and listen to Bernie will vote for him.
+Balaz Hidegety I think most semi-racists are just cowards who never learned to word-up to their "buddies." Who are actually not their friends, but just bullies and loudmouth neighbours they have become aquainted with. Appeasement of cowards is common among semi-racists.
+Balaz Hidegety I thoroughly disagree. That's not "fact". As a highly educated African-American man I have listened to every debate and campaign speech that Bernie Sanders has made and I don't support him for president. Ta-Nehisi Coates has long been an advocate for reparations and Bernie is by far the closest candidate to do anything that would exclusively benefit the black community. That's why he's supporting him. Which I think is fine. But to claim that "most ppl" would support Bernie after listening to him just isn't true.
+Erick Prince-Heaggans Why do people think they need reparations now. It is too late for them. How about just working to make society better not giving payments out to a bunch of people.
+Dee B none of them support reparations. anyway Bernie said he wouldn't try it not that he doesn't like the idea. there are many things that can easily be done now. Hillary has a horrible record for black issues. at least Bernie has championed civil rights and would actually reform the judicial system (which the president has executive control over) and strengthen the economy and make more jobs. these will help the black community overwhelmingly.
Dee B push him on it he's likely the only one to support it if you push him on it. Name another candidate with a better platform that supports reparations? Can't? At least he's being honest. And he didn't say you don't deserve them cuz God knows you do. He said it would be divisive which is true as only 12 percent last I checked want them.
Dee B 12 percent of all races polled bro. GODDAMNIT BRO LISTEN TO ME. I DON'T FUCKING THINK YOU UNDERSTAND WHERE I AM COMING FROM. LOUD AND MOTHER FUCKING CLEAR BRO. WHO THE FUCK ELSE HAS DONE ANYTHING MORE THAN SANDERS FOR BLACKS? NOT A GODDAMN PERSON. SO WHAT? YOU WANT BLACKS TO JUST NOT VOTE? OR VOTE FOR THE BITCH WHO PUSHED PRISON PRIVATIZATION AND MINIMUM SENTENCING? WHO STILL DOESN'T THINK POT SHOULD BE LEGAL? I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING. MY PEOPLE WERE NEARLY WIPED OFF THE FUCKING PLANET BY WHITE PEOPLE. MY PEOPLE GOT REPARATIONS BUT THE GOVERNMENT HASN'T HONORED THOSE EITHER. I'M WITH YOU ON WANTING IT TO HAPPEN. BUT IT'S NO REASON TO TURN FROM THE BEST CHOICE YOU HAVE NOW
OMG! I love this! When I heard, "my son influenced me," I was actually really happy. Because as a young person myself, I'm happy to see that our voice is being heard and the older people are hearing what we say and actually taking it seriously and seeing that our points are valid!
+Humanity NEEDS to die! because it would fall on deaf ears when it comes to other candidates, why not try and convince a person who shows sympathy in the matter.
+Humanity NEEDS to die! Because they want to make Bernie look bad to the black voters. If they single him out as being against it then he will look like the only one. They don't point out that none of the candidates are for it. It's the establishment that wants him to look bad and not win this election.
+Humanity NEEDS to die! The Black parties I've been to, had music, dancing, and talking like this, no drinking tons of alcohol, but lots of political breaking-it-down. No sacred Cows. Now I live in Vermont, and same thing happens at White parties. The only cows here are out in the pasture, and the dancing is Contra dancing.
Dee B I was saying that in hopes that you yourself would read... so lets recap The question was: None of the other candidates support it, so why focus on Bernie, and not the others? You answered with: "ITS NOT OBVIOUS?? BERNIE IS A JEW WHO SUPPORTS BOTH GERMANY AND USA TO GIVE REPARATIONS TO JEWS BUT NOTHING TO BLACK PEOPLE.. ITS THE WORSE HYPOCRASY" -------------------------------------- Before I even asked you source I found this... "The Vermont senator joined 18 colleagues in co-sponsoring the Holocaust Rail Justice Act, a bill to help survivors and families sue France’s national railway company, SNCF, for reparations." "Clinton, too, has a history of explicit support for Holocaust reparations. During her husband’s administration, she was given an award by the World Jewish Congress for helping obtain reparations from the Swiss and German governments." fusion.net/story/257749/bernie-sanders-reparations-hillary-clinton-holocaust/ Happy Belated Valentines day =D.
For me I say: What would reparations do if we don't have an economy that's fairer to people of color? We need to make sure that the economy is fairer in order to benefit us Reparations: Giving a fish Economic Justice: Teaching how to fish
+vidhead85 Bingo. I'm also confused as to exactly how proponents of reparations want things to be logistically handled. What price tag do you put on slavery per person? How "black" do you have to be in order to receive them? When reparations are received is there any way of saying, "oh okay, I guess slavery is paid for now, and everything's better?" It just doesn't work that way, and any massive sum of federal money would be much better invested in the programs Sanders is suggesting to provide economic justice, not just handing people money, which undoubtedly would mostly just be given right back to the private sector in spending.
+vidhead85 I commend your point. Ta-Nehisi Coates is talking in places about "specific identifiable people" who were the target of "specific racial policies." To the extent that is the case I take supporting that as non-controversial, to me and those I associate with at least. I would note that requiring businesses to pay reparations for harm is one of the most effective ways to to get the business community to change their behavior. In the case of redlining, we might extend that financial culpability to our government. I think what the topic reparations brings to mind for most people, and where it gets complicated and controversial, is when African Americans en masse get a reparations check for simply being African American. While I found Coates' argument in his article morally compelling and persuasive, I don't think we are close to the necessary support to act on it as a nation. But the march to do the right thing always starts somewhere.
+vidhead85 its about addressing identifiable instances where businesses and government discriminated or outright harmed solely because citizens were black, actionable as class action or individual suits. i didnt hear Coates or Goodman mention getting a check for being black. Its not about compensation for enslaved ancestors, as some are quick to assume when they hear a sweeping word like reparations, which is probably part of the perception problem. (Slavery, though morally reprehensible, was legal at the time) This is about post-14th amendment unconstitutional exclusionary practices, provable in a court of law, and deserving of financial judgments, just like any other civil action.
+Gianne Willett But how will it get through congress ? Reparation isn't a populist view with strong legs . How the hell is Bernie gonna get the support to make it happen ? Remember , he speaks for the people and by the people . Youre asking him for the impossible . If he was a damn Jew he wouldn't be marching with Dr King and gotten arrested for protesting to end segregation . What a damn Jew *rolls eyes*
+Lobo Presenta anything dealing with African issues gets no play in American politics, history shows! we should be at the point hundreds of years that no politician will risk. his/her career to push for our issues even an African one, the system doesn't work that way! #rageagainstthemachine
Framing Bernie's camapaign as one for reparations would racialize this political debate. This can not be in the best interest of any minority, because it further divides a working class who's political success depends upon unity and solidarity among all working people. As a counrty so divided among racial lines it is necessary to promote and institutionalize upward social mobility for all disenfranchised.
I was wrong about this guy. He makes some valid points. I cast him, wrongly as a shill. Interested to read his book as well. Very thoughtful perspective on the subject of race in America.
If the US wanted us to have reparations we already would've had them. Simply put the US never wanted Black _people_ and had no intention of ever making our ancestors/descendants proper citizens which is why suffering continued. Its a sad fact I know but we need a new plan beyond fruitlessly fighting for some of us to get paid who knows how much which is where Sanders' come in. Raising wages, paid leave, providing free college, lessening mass incarceration, single payer healthcare, and general investments in the working/poor class will help far more as getting a little money won't stop mass poverty, discrimination, over policing, etc.
This is a great interview. I remember first seeing Coates on the Daily Show. Always interesting to hear his take on a lot of issues the country faces today.
Coates is right about the specificity of injury based on race and the need to address that. What Bernie and Obama both seemed to imply was heavier investment of resources in impoverished communities would effectively act as reparations. But there does seem to be something missing from the equation, as it does not identify prevailing racial predation. Yet the required solution for institutionalized racism seems more complex than mere cash reparations, and I worry that reparations will provide a single "reset" button for classists and bigots to point to and justify half measures and propagate racist sentiment into the future. Nevertheless, there's no real downside to providing actual capital to descendants of historically oppressed communities as an independent starting act, save the "political" aspect. We do need a specific solution in addition to the universalist one.
Did not know about Mr. Coates, but will surely be looking into him. His objectivity in these matters are truly refreshing. Arguments not so easily come upon from a lot of black, liberal thinkers and writers.
+Jacob Chavez F'real! One reason other countries can afford universal health coverage and free or affordable post-secondary education is they don't have massive military budgets. It's amazing what services countries can pay for if they don't have to fight expensive wars all over the world.
+Jacob Chavez The real reparation is the possibility to educate yourself if you are not rich, to have health care, to have a pension, etc. The entire world had many injustice all around and we just have to let it go as a time we don´t want anymore. We all have to work in equality and social mixing, and this will not happen if there is no education, jobs, health care and pension guarantee. My point from a South American.
+Alex Meyers we'll that's because i'm assuming you're allied with the worlds most powerful military. It goes both ways. You don't need a military because the U.S. has one.
Erick Prince-Heaggans Oh thank you America for protecting me from all the threats of the world. America is the most threatening anti-democratic force of the 20th century and so far in the 21th century. No other country has done more to destabilize sovereign nations around the world. So forgive me if I don't jump to thank the American war machine.
I hear ya, bro! But where I come from we your logic, 'putting the cart before the horse.' Lets just start by creating a united democracy first! Go Bernie!
I disagree on the terms of reparations for slavery, because then we could argue that basically anyone in America who's not WASP, White Jewish, or Germanic American deserves some sort of reparations in some way for some relative who was done disservice, but in terms of specific case-by-case instances where people lost their homes or were denied things promised under the G.I. Bill with supporting documented evidence to prove so, Coates has convinced me that there may be merit in such a thing, especially when the precedent exists with Holocaust survivors as he had stated.
+Russkiy Smiffy because his the only candidate who would be open to this. He understand what a huge impact this sort of policy can bring, and has talked about it before i believe. He is just worried it will change his message with the american people and we don't know how Americans feel about giving back to African Americans to be honest. Things were screwed from the start when they assassinated Lincoln before he could bring truth to his promise of reparations to the freed slaves. After his assassination, no one even broached the subject let alone helped the freed slaves community prosper in any way. Black people were excluded from help from the government that told them they were free but were not protected when it came to living with the same people who owned/saw them as inferior to even hire let alone school. Laws had to have been passed to change how people approached treating black people so that they could have a fair shot in making it, and i believe it wasn't even close to being fair until the late 80s. I think this country has a horrible case of amnesia and want to point fingers now and ask why are you not going well to the black community.
But you do know that Bernie will make that first step to reparations and then they'll be possible afterwards. No way would he get elected if he is pro-reparations now. I am white and all for it but it's just not going to happen in the next 4 years
Besides a lot of policies he proposes, like decriminalisations of marijuana and overall decrease in incarceration, as well as expanding social security and a $15/hour minimum wage is going to be so good for a lot of people in the black community since decades of injustice pushed many of them into poverty.
yes but don't think for a second its reparations in a different way. This is the country doing good for its tax payers. Remember now, black people put in more taxes then they receive in services/welfare on the poor black community. This is just reallocation of the funds in a good way which is a start to helping poverty for all Americans, nothing surgical for the poor/dangerous black areas of certain cities. I like the decriminalization, when drugs are cheap, the incentive to sell goes down so drug dealers will have to do other things to get rich quick that don't involve drugs or they will have to come into society and get it the right way. I just hope that our community doesnt hold too much anger and hatred for how long it has taken america to help, god knows we have given up on the system doing right, Vote Bernie y'all.
+Suyash Shreekant Racism is a choice bigots make regardless of facts, circumstances, logic, or anything but whim. Don't make excuses for them. Be a man and stand in solidarity with those who oppose them.
+baronvonsatan Reparation will only harden the arguments of those who accuse blacks of being lazy, and willing to live on government freebies. It would also be wrong to those who aren't blacks but perhaps Native Americans, or Mexicans and yes even whites who are as poor or poorer than those receiving reparation. It's a one sure way to divide a country beyond repair. It's short sighted and would do more harm than good.
+Suyash Shreekant if you look at the unemployment in america today, you will see that its 9.5% for the black community, and its a huge 90% of the black community paying into the tax system that for so long failed to address their issues. We need to acknowledge this and help change some of the impoverished areas in this country. Think of it like cancer. You have a spot in your body that is hurting you, do you choose to ignore it or do you go in and fucking fix that shit so it doesn't spread or continue to hurt. We need reform and we need change to the justice system that is cruel to the minority community.
LazyGamer101 I agree with you on changing the justice system, creating more jobs, and helping communities. Its the labelling which I am concerned about, calling it reparation would cause trouble.
I am not for blanket reparations but in the instance Ta-Nehisi Coates references here, I am 100% for them. I think these specifications need to made so that white liberal progressives can get behind them. When I hear, "reparations for slavery" I just can't see how that could happen realistically and therefore do not support it. For people who've been racially discriminated against based on recent years (and are still alive) I 100% support reparations! Thank you Ta-Nehisi Coates for specifying! I say take this to Bernie yourself! Ask Bernie to sit down and talk about this with you. I don't see why he wouldn't support it especially if you can get the support of the people, which I believe you could get if you presented your case this way. I am white and totally convinced on this basis you just presented here. We gotta fight for this world to become a just place, let's do it together!
They moved us to reservations and have slowly chipped away at that land. They ignore our rights as sovereign nations making deals with foreign nations for resources on our lands. we stand with you.
although you kind of pissed me off with your nonsensical and partisan rhetoric, i welcome you to the love train Mr. Coates, glad you are finally seeing the light.
+My Unself "nonsensical and partisan rhetoric" - it's easy to take this stance, when it doesn't impact you at all. If the economy didn't impact you, you'd say the same thing about it. The people who are 'drug free' feel the same way about prohibition. Saying one group is disproportionally impacted and abused isn't partisan. It's factual. *YOU* feel it's partisan because you personally don't want to be a 'race traitor', because you want to plug your ears and say 'LA LA LA' and act like your inaction isn't harmful. Inaction is not without consequence. Apathy is not without consequence. Ignorance is not without consequence.
+My Unself Finally seeing the light because he admitted he's going to vote for the same person as you? Let's not equate grudgingly voting for a politician of your liking to arriving at some enlightened state.
both of you taking my comment way out of proportion, i have much respect for Mr. Coates, however until this very specific interview his rhetoric was such that he had mainly discussed the issues that he opposes. this is the first time that i hear him speak in an elaborate manner describing the entire picture as a whole, explaining in detail why he specifically chose to criticize Bernie in his article and avoid speaking of Clinton or everyone else that is not in support of 'reparations'. this is the first time that i hear him speak of the positives as well as what he considers as negatives (as well as who he actually supports and why). so yes, i stand by my phrasing, his rhetoric was partisan. i am willing to walk back the "nonsensical" term if you found that to be offensive, but with all due respect it seemed like nonsense the way he reacted at first without including all of the parameters.
+My Unself Don't listen to them. Coates wrote a huge hit piece. I was upset when he wrote it. But has he written one about Clinton? Will he write one now about Clinton or even our current president? I doubt it.
***** I totally get that. It is divisive. I'm just saying, it's not a justified divisiveness. You feel left out, you feel like you're being held at fault (sins of the father), therefor, you feel it's not fair. This discounts the LITERAL SLAVERY that was conducted. But, hey, some people don't like the policy, so let's pussyfoot around it, right? Fuck. That. Noise. Know what else was controversial? Freeing the damn slaves in the first place. You can't wait until it's no longer controversial, it never will be, because the complacency gets passed down and solidified with every generation. With every generation that passes, the idea of reparations becomes more and more far removed, and those who oppose it feel less and less responsible. I get that. But it doesn't make the need any less real.
I agreed with Coates in 2016. 2020 has more democratic options, but the Green Party still has the best platforms for reparations, health care and everything else.
Longterm sustainability; investing and rebuilding (including intrapersonally) what racism and classicism has torn down. Including addressing white supremacy. Far better than reparations as it deals with the roots, trunk, branches, and fruit.
I don't think we should even be talking about reparations anymore. We are way past the point where anyone should have to pay the ancestors of those who suffered for the actions of our ancestors. Sins of the father. That being said, I do feel the obligation to repay the black community in another way, by truely bringing about economic equality. Segregation in the aftermath of slavery was disasterous, and it is the reason black people tend to be poorer than whites today. I believe that Bernie Sanders is solid on that front, speaking regularly on the subject. Handing out money is not going to achieve that goal. Real, meaningful reparations would be simply elevating the black community to the same level as the white community, allowing equal opportunity to exist in reality rather than just in the aspirational pipe dreams of conservatives.
***** Israel has to deal with Hamas, a terrorist organization. I GLADLY pay my taxes so we can help their armed forces. Modern black people aren't at war with anybody. False comparison.
Shawn Gunnison Yes. I don't think I can add more to that. I am just so glad the term "regressive" caught on this fast. It exemplifies those who claim to be "Liberal" yet constantly speak against the values they're supposed to spouse and protect.
+tehkoalainsurgency I am not even going to reply to your ignorance. Just look up black wall street to find out who black people are war with. Keep your blinders on.
+tehkoalainsurgency One last thing my little youth. One mans terrorist is the next mans freedom fighter. Hamas never attacked US but Israel attacked the US. Think about it son or you one of those fake jews too?
***** Until you don't show me an argument, how is anyone going to take you seriously? You just compared a group of people living in a conflict-free zone like the U.S. and compared them to people who are in an actual conflict. One of the pillars of regressive rhetoric is to avoid the argument by concluding the other side is "ignorant" while providing ZERO evidence for this claim. It's not going to end well for you.
I think the most important distinction to make is that Bernie Sanders is against reparations because he has difficulties thinking in terms of race. He's a person that when looking on someone sees who they are regardless of skin tone, and is a person who believes that the first and most crucial step in fair racial politics is to make sure people are treated equally whether they are black or white. Separating those demographics from each other may work temporarily, but in the end it will only polarize an already controversial thing. It will strengthen American racism. And in terms of how resources are allocated, would you rather have cash prizes for a select amount of people, or a quality school that would take you in no matter how much money you owned? Would you have a bunch of people buying the luxury wares they never got to before(that is just how people generally spend a surplus of money), or would you have them end up with permanent jobs that made them enough money to not worry about the future? One of those things repares the problem. The other opens the wound. I realize this may be a false dichotomy. But still, I hope it's clear why one is worth going all-in on without complicating the matters with the other.
Very reasonable man. His specifics about the "reparations" made them sound a lot less infeasible than I previously thought. I don't necessarily agree with it, but it sure makes a lot more sense and to hear him say that he still votes for Sanders is reassuring. He knows that Sanders is the closest to what he wishes for by a long shot.
Reparations is not going to solve institutional racism. That is an issue with the consciousness of society as a whole both black and white. But I do believe scarcity is the root of the problem, once people are lifted up out of a bad environment they have the optimism to raise the level of their consciousness to a positive level that will have an effect on how other races see them in general. Thinking about the form of reparations given, I would say in the form of a tax credits for several different industries.
Not what reparations would look like as much as what the response to bringing attention to these programs as reparation would look like? In other words, how do you think the racially biased conservatives would react if you presented these programs as a way to make it up to minorities?
I've always had a problem with the idea of reparations specifically for the black community, as opposed to large scale investment in education, healthcare, housing and job placement specifically for the poor. Reparations strike me as being divissive and counterproductive, not to mention that they exclude native Americans who usually aren't even part of the discussion. Coates is obviously a smart and reasonable guy though, so I'd be interested to hear more of his argument.
Wow.....I didn't expect this from Coates'. Voting for Bernie Sanders? I'm surprised he has any faith in politicians or the political process in America. Hopefully this is not the beginning of his compromise. I will say it looks like he is grudgingly voting for him though.
I'm not from the USA, but I have a question. Barring an armed uprising, how would you go about changing things if you reject participating in the political process? Every movement "wins" when actual legislation results from their activities.
+lifestraight Voting doesn't mean you have to have faith that politics can fix all our problems, it just means you see some difference between the choices and don't want other people to be making that choice for you.
Marklar3 Other people ARE making that choice for you. It is silly to think your vote actually counts for something in America. i have voted. I have participated in the political process on a federal and local level and was disappointed both times. I just don't buy into or believe in the political process as a vehicle for progressive change.
+Rashad Muhammad Oh yes. Cynical, even. Apathetic. Nevertheless some struggles are eventually successful. The political process isn't a vehicle for change, but it has to be used eventually if you want to achieve anything. If all people do is elect Sanders, he won't be able to achieve anything. If I understand it correctly, even with a Democrat majority, as this party stands now, most would be against his agenda. That is why he's trying to grow a movement, to elect new people, to have a viable voter force to counteract lobbying somewhat, etc.
I ask the black community, black leaders, and black elected officials:Why is there no organized concentrated effort to push back against the seemingly universal support by minority groups for allowing undocumented immigration to happen and to flourish?Obama, Sanders, talk of creating living wage jobs for the African American communities while championing the undocumented immigrant population. Why does nobody see these efforts somewhat contradict each other. Whatever the color of poor American citizens maybe, we are losing jobs to the undocumented work force or at the very least, are victims of dropping pay rates because of this demographic driving them down. Fact. Full disclosure, I am for fair immigration reform, I live in a sanctuary city and have seen the pluses but see No One allowed to speak of the minuses out of fear of being called racist. Immigration status is the issue. I dare the Latino lawmakers to say they'd have the same conviction fighting for the rights of the undocumented if Mexico was say Kenya, Mongolia, Indonesia, or Turkey.I think Sanders even caught some heat from the Latino community for some comments he made about America's need to take care of it's own first, namely the Black community.Poll legal American born Hispanics who's ancestors, long ago fought for civil rights, in the Border State, how they fell about undocumented migrants, 73% of who are from Latin countries.You want to see a "sample" of how these communities get along? See Los Angeles.Why would you help a people come into the country and stay in the country when it is a direct conflict in your survival.Any thoughts?
I'm 1005 with you Ta-Nehisi, I'm just a bit conservative with the timeline of it's implementation. Sanders at the very least should support John Conyers' long standing bill to INVESTIGATE reparations so can find out what it would cost, what it would look like, and how to implement it. Then, once our economy has recovered and tax base risen to where we can make this reality, we do it. Nothing else really makes much sense. This isn't to say that this isn't what Mr. Coates supports, but rather being a bit more realistic about this thing that should've happened eons ago.
One whishes he had written in his article that he is angry because he expected more from Bernie and that he would have also mentioned that Hillary was against but that he never expected any better then that from her, that would have made the whole issue logical, i still think that was a hit piece since he had lazer focus on Bernie only which he ended up regrretting as we all saw now.
Thank you for explaining the word "reperation". I'm totally on board. Make you wonder though. A significant part of the country goes nuts when black people dare complain about gettin killed for no reason other than they look scary. What would happen if a president would try to do the right thing and talk about reperation?
+Rotnorg it's a damn shame isn't it? They would rather sit and watch areas in this country hurt rather than help it so it doesn't slowly bleed money and hurt a specific community. History will remember our inaction and we will look back and hate ourselves like the generations before.
heres where I agree and disagree at once. Sanders plans will help the black communities. he admits that. but he several times said that the focus shouldn't be on all of us universally but on blacks. here's the thing. reparations are incredibly earned and need to happen. but this economy isn't helping anybody at the moment. and it's obviously hurting blacks even worse. to me fixing the economy should be a first priority. but I do appreciate his commitment to keep reparations in the public eye. But Coates please do us all a Favor and ask Clinton why she won't support reparations. hell she won't even enforce the reparations my people got for the near extinction of my people. play fairly if you are going tup call one out then call the rest out as well. really make a spectacle of it. because as it stands you still sound like an attack machine against Bernie. I know you aren't. but make it clearer and stop dancing around the fact that nobody running for president not even a black man (Carson).
Reparations make no sense this day and age. If any former slaves or children of slaves are alive(zero). They should get them. Nowadays you don't know what people would do with them.
You know, when I read his piece on Sanders' opposition to reparations, while I thought it was unfair to single out Bernie, I also wouldn't attack him for being a "Hillary shill" like everyone else seemed to, because I knew he was too smart for that. Glad to hear he's still going to support Bernie.
I believe the hang up for a lot of people is the specific term 'reparations'. If this was instead explained to uneducated people as something like 'payments through the court of law for damaged rendered' a lot more people would support it.
As Mr. Coates said people with damages need reparations. I think that these all sound like city and state issues. These for the most part they do not seem to be Federal Issues. Why would a Presidential Candidate even worry about these issues as Mr. Coates said that it does not need a universal solution when the federal government paints broad strokes and the local and state have the ability to apply more detailed strokes with their own laws. What would be interesting is to see some data on states that have the lowest levels of Minority Poverty, Incarceration and the highest levels of education and house ownership with prime rate mortgages in those communities. What are the policies that make it work in those places?
The Alaska Native Settlement Claims Act from the late 70's or the reparations paid to Jewish holocaust survivor in 2016 are examples of reparations in practice. There's no shortage of ideas.
I meant I havent heard a clear idea in terms of what reparations for african americans specifically would mean. What exactly would that mean in practice, how much money and to who
Lets say we give every black American $10.000 it will not change anything in the end. It will cost 4 trillion dollars but a year later Black people will end up the same place as before. So I agree with Obama and Sanders invest that 4 trillion dollar in inner citys, invest it in jobs and education.
When you listen to what Sanders actually said, he essentially does support reparations. Sanders argues a disproportionate amount of funds and opportunities should be directed toward those most in need, which he specifically acknowledges most largely means blacks. He is basically proposing reparations without calling it by that name. And when you listen closely to Coates, he in a sense understands that Sanders is supporting reparations. But he disagrees on the basis of strategy, not principle. Coates wants a more direct approach in attacking racism. Coates is sympathetic to Sanders approach, though. He admits that he used to be against reparations. This is an issue that doesn’t just divide the races but also within the races. Depending on when and what specifically is asked, around 30 to 40% of blacks in the US don’t support reparations. Yes, a majority does support them, but it isn’t a massive majority.
Reparations would be great if at all possible, but just as any politician knows it would never past muster or would come up for a vote in either part of the Congress, not the House of Reps. or the Senate and therefore is a Quixotic notion. Coates who is a marvelous writer with a comprehensive understanding of politics and society surely knows this and would concede the point of it being inevitable to defeat. And this would do nothing but ignite resentment in many communities that perhaps might have their own beef with the government over ill treatment, treatment certainly not as egregious as that which has burden black Americans, but ill treatment nevertheless. I'm sure Irish Americans, Italian Americans, Jewish Americans, and of course Hispanic Americans have all felt the sting of prejudice. Hell even poor whites in Appalachia and here in the south which I am descended from have a litany of grievances against government. I am from North Carolina and I would remind Mr. Coates that not only were blacks victims of Eugenics, but poor whites as well, uneducated whites, mentally ill whites. People from all racial backgrounds were targets of the sterilization program and all that was required is they be poor and not understand what was being perpetrated against them simply because it wasn't properly explained, and often was done surreptitiously. Sanders and as well president Obama's approach are the most viable and Killer Mike opinion which is in accordance with Sanders is also a very logical one. Regardless I appreciate the fact Mr. Coates has made it clear he supports Senator Sanders.
Bernie says reparations have no chance in congress and are divisive. Meh. The right answer is 'fuck yeah, I support reparations. What a stupid question."
OK.. HE'S NOT RADICAL!!! only in the US would you think Senator Sanders is radical!!! he's middle right republican from the 30's (think FDR).. HE IS NOT A RADICAL.. get over it.. His platform is very, very mainstream and in the majority of peoples wants/needs
+Ru Drisi sure, but white privilege needs to end first and foremost and then unjust laws that work against the rights of ethnic communities need to be abolished. Then the history books should speak of a more accurate history, not a PC history that is friendly to White People.
This part: "... and there's also the way that racism in America injures attempts at social policies. Every time social policies are put forth in America, there's a rather large part of the public that's concerned about black people being included in those policies." (Not exact quote but I think close enough.) This is in part exactly why I don't understand how reparations could ever come to pass in the US... and how I don't see how they'd work. Is the idea in any shape or form to give black people a chunk of money? I do think that simply giving people money directly can be enormously effective empowerment btw. My concern is that - there's no amount of cash in hand that can rectify the lasting impact of the institution of slavery - well, there might be, but it would be fantasy sums. We are talking about the life-determining effects of things like growing up in a ghetto with lead paint, hearing gun shoots at night, having a parent who works double shifts and isn't home when you need her, and a bad school. Some naturally gifted people survive and thrive after all that, but most don't. I mean - at some point it's the dysfunctioning institutions the money has to be poured into, not individuals. If the schools function really well, and social services and police and so on... and of course if jobs are available and pay living wages - those are the things poor (black and white) people need, and it can't really be bought by individuals. But in the US, it's nearly impossible to get any such policies passed to begin with. How bad would it be after reparations were paid out? So black people would soon be in pretty much the exact same position as before, and it would be even harder to get institutional changes, which is already extremely hard.
Coates is so wrong. If South Africa had Coates instead of Mandela, they wouldn't have ever arrived at forgiveness. Sometimes, as unfair and wrong as it is, you have to forgive if you want the world to improve. If justice is demanded and taken, too often the other side interprets the "justice" as vengeance... and then want vengeance themselves.
Hi. I live in Austria where we have all those things that Obama and Sanders promised. Ta-Nehisi says "I would like to believe". Well, then see EUrope. It is possible. You don´t have to be rich to go to university. Health care is compulsory. People that earn more than 60K a yyear pay 50% taxes. Nothing is free, it´s simply redistributed.
Coates... no one is saying the goals are going to be achieved quickly or easily. And when you mention "white supremacy"... you're ignoring the political reality that any big investment would require coalitions of people and enough agreement to get passed. As unfair and wrong as it is, focusing on the sin might prevent folks from eventually coming together and investing in a solution.
I just don't get how reparations really would help people who are stupid enough to fall for predatory loans. How stupid do you have to be to refinance without reading the fine print? How will giving the grandchildren of slaves a big chunk of money help? Look at how lottery winners do. Education seems like the much more sensible way to go. Unfortunately nothing about this reasoning or the details are discussed in this segment.
We can't go back and make right laws that were broken generations ago by giving money or land! If Abortion was made illegal tomorrow we wouldn't go back and charge those that had abortions with murder! We have so much opportunity in this country....when will some people stop being victims and enjoy the opportunities that each man has. There is no perfect society, every person gets hated on in some way. Rising above requires hard work and thankfulness....not accusations and bitterness.
Too late... 22 trillion in debt and now have many more races taking priority. Stay educated, quit preying on each other, help fellow man and pull each other up. Give a man a fish he eats for a day teach a man to fish and he well eats well the rest of his life.
This is a good moment to remind everyone that at this very moment slaves in Africa are taking minerals out of the ground to build the device on which you are reading these lines. I am for reparation, but much more urgent would be to end the slavery that is happening right now at this very moment!
8:15 Low income black communities were not "targeted with predatory loans" and if you had one modicum of common sense you would realize that's not true. Why would banks want to give loans to people they KNEW wouldn't be able to pay them back? What happened was the government FORCED the banks to give sub prime loans to low income families (which are disproportionately black) with the "Fair Housing Act", which lead to the housing crisis.
I sincerely do not understand this argument for reparations. Who would reparations go to? What would they entail? When we already have a massive bigoted, christian, right wing conservative population in the US who complain about welfare (unjustly) this (in my mind) would only fuel fires of hatred and division. If reparations means investing time and money into impoverished areas in order to improve schools, police, provide jobs etc. then I am all for it, but that doesn't appear to be what activists are suggesting. Am I missing something?
+Nick Watson Did you watch the whole video(not trying to be a dbag, just asking haha)? But yea, He's talking about specific cases where individuals have been discriminated because of color, for say housing/employment. Like any other group (ie LGBT or whatever) if you have proof of discrim, you can obtain 'reparations' under the law. I think the problem is semantics, and how we have politicized the word. I think Sanders is all for what Coates is asking for here (he believes in every area criminals need to be prosecuted, and this extends to civil cases as well). I think the problem is that when Sanders was asked the question, he thought of reparations as some blanket policy where every person of color would receive some kickback. He doesn't believe in that of course, and didn't want the media to assume he was.
Reparations doesn't mean cutting a check...don't get me wrong a couple million for the the hundreds of years of torture of my ancestors, destruction of black wall street, Jim Crow, and the agenda for war on drugs in order to destroy black lives would be nice, however I believe exemption from taxes for the next 5 to 600 years would be great or free college education would be adequate.
reparations cant happen for 1 reason: We would have to make things right with native Americans first, this would be nearly impossible. Secondly, the Japanese people we put into camps, Irish, german, and polish discrimination in the early 1900's ect. We have been an equal opportunity discriminator.
They should give them reparations. African-Americans will not save it, they will only spend it on bling-bling; in a year the economy will get back all the money they received.
Ta-Nehisi, you're a good man. You are helping change this country for the better.
This is a really great segment! Thank you Democracy Now.
What an amazing human being Ta-Henisi, a true intellect as well. And sure he makes the right choice by Berning!
I love Ta-Nehisi Coates, however I hate this idea that he keeps calling Bernie Sanders "a radical." Sanders isn't radical. On an international sense he is a moderate. His ideas of "radical" because America is so corrupt and right wing that he seems radical, but he isn't. Scandavian countries have already adopted the majority of what he proposes. Every other modernized nation in the world has some type of single payer healthcare, Germany and other nations have adopted tuition free universities, so this idea that Bernie Sanders is radical is simply untrue.
+Michael Lamar Simeon I tend to agree. The political paradigm has shifted so far right that a position Sanders takes, a more moderate socialism, is seen as radical. The idea that elections not be bought is a 'radical' idea (not excluding higher tax rates for the wealthy, closing loopholes, breaking up bank monopolies, infrastructure programs, police accountability) actually shows how sad the state of politics is that intellectuals find this 'radical' and not 'sensible'.
+Michael Lamar Simeon Totally agree, I live in Vienna. If you check "Taxes" in Europe you will see he is not radical. We have compulsory health care, university fees that are payble, etc etc. etc. To call him a "radical" is to know nothing about Europe. Here we pay 50% taxes when you earn 60K, in the US you pay 37% when you earn 250K !!
+Michael Lamar Simeon this isn't an international election. It's a national one and in the context of U.S. politics he's always been a radical. And comparing largely homogeneous countries that are less than a fraction of our size is a bit silly. And let me tell you from personal experience, Scandinavia isn't the bright beacon of sunshine people like to pretend it is.
European countries consistently get used as examples of how the U.S. should work without addressing the many many issues they have internally, such as the ridiculous racism against refugees and Roma peoples, or the vast cultural differences which more than show up in politics.
It's a fine argument on paper. One I would support, in a perfect world. But the reality is vastly different and there needs to be a middle ground between the extreme left and extreme right. We'll that's assuming we're talking about equality and not reparations.
+Michael Lamar Simeon Thats true. A single payer system has been introduced by the conservative party in germany. A lot of conservatuve partys in Europe supprt Sanders propsals. According to the logic that Sanders is a radical all the conervative partner partys of the US republican party in Europe are also radical.
Gregor Robak Well that's true. But the Eurozone isn't exactly doing to well these days and the healthcare system isn't the best. The solution is more affordable healthcare. Healthcare in Thailand for example is outstanding an affordable. With many Europeans going there for medical treatments.
What is happening to you ppl? There is someone who is undeniably deep thinker and very smart person. He has an opinion and has his own (and frankly understandable) reasons for it. He is capable of such deep retrospective that he is able to logically overcome some of his own arguments in order to com to "right" conclusion. And all I see here are this 1/2 racist comments. I am white and EU and I don't care about US or race - I just think this man deserves some respect.
I like Bernie and I think he would show respect himself.
+SlowerMindsKeepRight Yes. But there is actually more to it: If there is someone that supports bernie from start it is cool. But when there is someone who was against him, then processed some info about him, came to different conclusions, changed his mind and is now endorsing bernie instead of opposing him -> now that is strong. Especially when it is someone like Ta-Nehisi: respected, smart and with far reach in respect to his community. This all just proves simple fact: most of ppl that stop for 20 minutes and listen to Bernie will vote for him.
+Balaz Hidegety
I think most semi-racists are just cowards who never learned to word-up to their "buddies." Who are actually not their friends, but just bullies and loudmouth neighbours they have become aquainted with. Appeasement of cowards is common among semi-racists.
well said
+Balaz Hidegety I thoroughly disagree. That's not "fact". As a highly educated African-American man I have listened to every debate and campaign speech that Bernie Sanders has made and I don't support him for president. Ta-Nehisi Coates has long been an advocate for reparations and Bernie is by far the closest candidate to do anything that would exclusively benefit the black community. That's why he's supporting him. Which I think is fine. But to claim that "most ppl" would support Bernie after listening to him just isn't true.
+Erick Prince-Heaggans Why do people think they need reparations now. It is too late for them. How about just working to make society better not giving payments out to a bunch of people.
I LOVE to hear that Mr. Coates is voting for Bernie!
+Dee B none of them support reparations. anyway Bernie said he wouldn't try it not that he doesn't like the idea. there are many things that can easily be done now.
Hillary has a horrible record for black issues.
at least Bernie has championed civil rights and would actually reform the judicial system (which the president has executive control over) and strengthen the economy and make more jobs. these will help the black community overwhelmingly.
+Jinok Kim ME TOO.
+Dee B
look up what
the news medias
not telling us
nato not bombing
isis barack hussie
are puppets
to globalist bankers
Dee B push him on it he's likely the only one to support it if you push him on it. Name another candidate with a better platform that supports reparations? Can't?
At least he's being honest. And he didn't say you don't deserve them cuz God knows you do. He said it would be divisive which is true as only 12 percent last I checked want them.
Dee B 12 percent of all races polled bro.
GODDAMNIT BRO LISTEN TO ME. I DON'T FUCKING THINK YOU UNDERSTAND WHERE I AM COMING FROM. LOUD AND MOTHER FUCKING CLEAR BRO. WHO THE FUCK ELSE HAS DONE ANYTHING MORE THAN SANDERS FOR BLACKS? NOT A GODDAMN PERSON. SO WHAT? YOU WANT BLACKS TO JUST NOT VOTE? OR VOTE FOR THE BITCH WHO PUSHED PRISON PRIVATIZATION AND MINIMUM SENTENCING? WHO STILL DOESN'T THINK POT SHOULD BE LEGAL?
I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING. MY PEOPLE WERE NEARLY WIPED OFF THE FUCKING PLANET BY WHITE PEOPLE. MY PEOPLE GOT REPARATIONS BUT THE GOVERNMENT HASN'T HONORED THOSE EITHER.
I'M WITH YOU ON WANTING IT TO HAPPEN. BUT IT'S NO REASON TO TURN FROM THE BEST CHOICE YOU HAVE NOW
OMG! I love this! When I heard, "my son influenced me," I was actually really happy. Because as a young person myself, I'm happy to see that our voice is being heard and the older people are hearing what we say and actually taking it seriously and seeing that our points are valid!
None of the other candidates support it, so why focus on Bernie, and not the others?
+Humanity NEEDS to die! because it would fall on deaf ears when it comes to other candidates, why not try and convince a person who shows sympathy in the matter.
+Humanity NEEDS to die! Because they want to make Bernie look bad to the black voters. If they single him out as being against it then he will look like the only one. They don't point out that none of the candidates are for it. It's the establishment that wants him to look bad and not win this election.
+Humanity NEEDS to die! The Black parties I've been to, had music, dancing, and talking like this, no drinking tons of alcohol, but lots of political breaking-it-down. No sacred Cows. Now I live in Vermont, and same thing happens at White parties. The only cows here are out in the pasture, and the dancing is Contra dancing.
+Dee B Source?
Dee B I was saying that in hopes that you yourself would read... so lets recap
The question was: None of the other candidates support it, so why focus on Bernie, and not the others?
You answered with: "ITS NOT OBVIOUS?? BERNIE IS A JEW WHO SUPPORTS BOTH GERMANY AND USA TO GIVE REPARATIONS TO JEWS BUT NOTHING TO BLACK PEOPLE.. ITS THE WORSE HYPOCRASY"
--------------------------------------
Before I even asked you source I found this...
"The Vermont senator joined 18 colleagues in co-sponsoring the Holocaust Rail Justice Act, a bill to help survivors and families sue France’s national railway company, SNCF, for reparations."
"Clinton, too, has a history of explicit support for Holocaust reparations. During her husband’s administration, she was given an award by the World Jewish Congress for helping obtain reparations from the Swiss and German governments."
fusion.net/story/257749/bernie-sanders-reparations-hillary-clinton-holocaust/
Happy Belated Valentines day =D.
For me I say: What would reparations do if we don't have an economy that's fairer to people of color? We need to make sure that the economy is fairer in order to benefit us
Reparations: Giving a fish
Economic Justice: Teaching how to fish
+vidhead85 Bingo. I'm also confused as to exactly how proponents of reparations want things to be logistically handled. What price tag do you put on slavery per person? How "black" do you have to be in order to receive them? When reparations are received is there any way of saying, "oh okay, I guess slavery is paid for now, and everything's better?" It just doesn't work that way, and any massive sum of federal money would be much better invested in the programs Sanders is suggesting to provide economic justice, not just handing people money, which undoubtedly would mostly just be given right back to the private sector in spending.
+vidhead85 I commend your point. Ta-Nehisi Coates is talking in places about "specific identifiable people" who were the target of "specific racial policies." To the extent that is the case I take supporting that as non-controversial, to me and those I associate with at least. I would note that requiring businesses to pay reparations for harm is one of the most effective ways to to get the business community to change their behavior. In the case of redlining, we might extend that financial culpability to our government.
I think what the topic reparations brings to mind for most people, and where it gets complicated and controversial, is when African Americans en masse get a reparations check for simply being African American. While I found Coates' argument in his article morally compelling and persuasive, I don't think we are close to the necessary support to act on it as a nation. But the march to do the right thing always starts somewhere.
+vidhead85 its about addressing identifiable instances where businesses and government discriminated or outright harmed solely because citizens were black, actionable as class action or individual suits. i didnt hear Coates or Goodman mention getting a check for being black. Its not about compensation for enslaved ancestors, as some are quick to assume when they hear a sweeping word like reparations, which is probably part of the perception problem. (Slavery, though morally reprehensible, was legal at the time) This is about post-14th amendment unconstitutional exclusionary practices, provable in a court of law, and deserving of financial judgments, just like any other civil action.
Paul Snyder I actually think Bernie would support that version, including possibly removing the government's legal immunity.
+GrapplingIgnorance Logistically handled the same way in which Israel receives billions annually from the u.s. gov
I hear you brother... But why didn't you call Clinton out on it.
bc he never expected her to care about reparations. he expected more from Sanders
Very immature in his understanding of how world works versus how we want it to work.
+Dee B Yea, that "DAMN JEW" racism is a bitch huh
+Gianne Willett But how will it get through congress ? Reparation isn't a populist view with strong legs . How the hell is Bernie gonna get the support to make it happen ? Remember , he speaks for the people and by the people . Youre asking him for the impossible . If he was a damn Jew he wouldn't be marching with Dr King and gotten arrested for protesting to end segregation . What a damn Jew *rolls eyes*
+Lobo Presenta anything dealing with African issues gets no play in American politics, history shows! we should be at the point hundreds of years that no politician will risk. his/her career to push for our issues even an African one, the system doesn't work that way! #rageagainstthemachine
I support Bernie Sanders.
+Tony Williams Thank YOU! Please spread the word!
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Framing Bernie's camapaign as one for reparations would racialize this political debate. This can not be in the best interest of any minority, because it further divides a working class who's political success depends upon unity and solidarity among all working people.
As a counrty so divided among racial lines it is necessary to promote and institutionalize upward social mobility for all disenfranchised.
+Max Mustermann Agreed. This is a wedge issue.
+Max Mustermann Losing strategy that has been historically detrimental to groups in the minority.
Who wants to bet this will not be on MSM?
+ZgemboBeterovic It won't because he already wrote his hit piece on Sanders.
I was wrong about this guy. He makes some valid points. I cast him, wrongly as a shill. Interested to read his book as well. Very thoughtful perspective on the subject of race in America.
+Frank Brenner He's writing the Black Panther series for Marvel Comics right now believe it or not
If the US wanted us to have reparations we already would've had them. Simply put the US never wanted Black _people_ and had no intention of ever making our ancestors/descendants proper citizens which is why suffering continued. Its a sad fact I know but we need a new plan beyond fruitlessly fighting for some of us to get paid who knows how much which is where Sanders' come in.
Raising wages, paid leave, providing free college, lessening mass incarceration, single payer healthcare, and general investments in the working/poor class will help far more as getting a little money won't stop mass poverty, discrimination, over policing, etc.
This is a great interview. I remember first seeing Coates on the Daily Show. Always interesting to hear his take on a lot of issues the country faces today.
I see his argument! He's right !
About time!
Now I understand better, why he is pushing Sanders hard on reparations. thank you for this great interview.....
Coates is right about the specificity of injury based on race and the need to address that. What Bernie and Obama both seemed to imply was heavier investment of resources in impoverished communities would effectively act as reparations. But there does seem to be something missing from the equation, as it does not identify prevailing racial predation. Yet the required solution for institutionalized racism seems more complex than mere cash reparations, and I worry that reparations will provide a single "reset" button for classists and bigots to point to and justify half measures and propagate racist sentiment into the future. Nevertheless, there's no real downside to providing actual capital to descendants of historically oppressed communities as an independent starting act, save the "political" aspect. We do need a specific solution in addition to the universalist one.
Did not know about Mr. Coates, but will surely be looking into him. His objectivity in these matters are truly refreshing. Arguments not so easily come upon from a lot of black, liberal thinkers and writers.
No billions for reparations, but 4.7 trillion for a war budget?
4.1*
+Jacob Chavez F'real! One reason other countries can afford universal health coverage and free or affordable post-secondary education is they don't have massive military budgets. It's amazing what services countries can pay for if they don't have to fight expensive wars all over the world.
+Jacob Chavez The real reparation is the possibility to educate yourself if you are not rich, to have health care, to have a pension, etc. The entire world had many injustice all around and we just have to let it go as a time we don´t want anymore. We all have to work in equality and social mixing, and this will not happen if there is no education, jobs, health care and pension guarantee. My point from a South American.
+Alex Meyers we'll that's because i'm assuming you're allied with the worlds most powerful military. It goes both ways. You don't need a military because the U.S. has one.
Erick Prince-Heaggans Oh thank you America for protecting me from all the threats of the world. America is the most threatening anti-democratic force of the 20th century and so far in the 21th century. No other country has done more to destabilize sovereign nations around the world. So forgive me if I don't jump to thank the American war machine.
I hear ya, bro!
But where I come from we your logic, 'putting the cart before the horse.'
Lets just start by creating a united democracy first!
Go Bernie!
I disagree on the terms of reparations for slavery, because then we could argue that basically anyone in America who's not WASP, White Jewish, or Germanic American deserves some sort of reparations in some way for some relative who was done disservice, but in terms of specific case-by-case instances where people lost their homes or were denied things promised under the G.I. Bill with supporting documented evidence to prove so, Coates has convinced me that there may be merit in such a thing, especially when the precedent exists with Holocaust survivors as he had stated.
All the candidates don't support the reparations but they only focus on Bernie, wtf???
+Russkiy Smiffy because his the only candidate who would be open to this. He understand what a huge impact this sort of policy can bring, and has talked about it before i believe. He is just worried it will change his message with the american people and we don't know how Americans feel about giving back to African Americans to be honest. Things were screwed from the start when they assassinated Lincoln before he could bring truth to his promise of reparations to the freed slaves. After his assassination, no one even broached the subject let alone helped the freed slaves community prosper in any way. Black people were excluded from help from the government that told them they were free but were not protected when it came to living with the same people who owned/saw them as inferior to even hire let alone school. Laws had to have been passed to change how people approached treating black people so that they could have a fair shot in making it, and i believe it wasn't even close to being fair until the late 80s. I think this country has a horrible case of amnesia and want to point fingers now and ask why are you not going well to the black community.
But you do know that Bernie will make that first step to reparations and then they'll be possible afterwards. No way would he get elected if he is pro-reparations now. I am white and all for it but it's just not going to happen in the next 4 years
Besides a lot of policies he proposes, like decriminalisations of marijuana and overall decrease in incarceration, as well as expanding social security and a $15/hour minimum wage is going to be so good for a lot of people in the black community since decades of injustice pushed many of them into poverty.
yes but don't think for a second its reparations in a different way. This is the country doing good for its tax payers. Remember now, black people put in more taxes then they receive in services/welfare on the poor black community. This is just reallocation of the funds in a good way which is a start to helping poverty for all Americans, nothing surgical for the poor/dangerous black areas of certain cities. I like the decriminalization, when drugs are cheap, the incentive to sell goes down so drug dealers will have to do other things to get rich quick that don't involve drugs or they will have to come into society and get it the right way. I just hope that our community doesnt hold too much anger and hatred for how long it has taken america to help, god knows we have given up on the system doing right, Vote Bernie y'all.
Ta -Nehisi is awesome
Sanders is not radical, his views are mainstream. The media likes to say he's radical. In Canada and the UK he's a moderate.
Reparations would end up being more divisive, and would increase racism.
+Suyash Shreekant Racism is a choice bigots make regardless of facts, circumstances, logic, or anything but whim. Don't make excuses for them. Be a man and stand in solidarity with those who oppose them.
+baronvonsatan Reparation will only harden the arguments of those who accuse blacks of being lazy, and willing to live on government freebies. It would also be wrong to those who aren't blacks but perhaps Native Americans, or Mexicans and yes even whites who are as poor or poorer than those receiving reparation. It's a one sure way to divide a country beyond repair. It's short sighted and would do more harm than good.
+Suyash Shreekant if you look at the unemployment in america today, you will see that its 9.5% for the black community, and its a huge 90% of the black community paying into the tax system that for so long failed to address their issues. We need to acknowledge this and help change some of the impoverished areas in this country. Think of it like cancer. You have a spot in your body that is hurting you, do you choose to ignore it or do you go in and fucking fix that shit so it doesn't spread or continue to hurt. We need reform and we need change to the justice system that is cruel to the minority community.
LazyGamer101 I agree with you on changing the justice system, creating more jobs, and helping communities. Its the labelling which I am concerned about, calling it reparation would cause trouble.
Well let's not do anything that might offend the racists! Because clearly those are the people worth caring about, right??
I learned a lot. thank you for the great insight.
Mr.Coates had to support Sanders,he is intelligent and an idealist.Obama failed us when
he made his promises,Sanders won't.
I don't forgive the poor judgement in timing.
how is Reparations devisive
why dont mr coates ask hillary clinton about reparations.
+Kenneth Jackson You should watch the video he answers your Q
Great discussion
I am not for blanket reparations but in the instance Ta-Nehisi Coates references here, I am 100% for them. I think these specifications need to made so that white liberal progressives can get behind them. When I hear, "reparations for slavery" I just can't see how that could happen realistically and therefore do not support it. For people who've been racially discriminated against based on recent years (and are still alive) I 100% support reparations! Thank you Ta-Nehisi Coates for specifying! I say take this to Bernie yourself! Ask Bernie to sit down and talk about this with you. I don't see why he wouldn't support it especially if you can get the support of the people, which I believe you could get if you presented your case this way. I am white and totally convinced on this basis you just presented here. We gotta fight for this world to become a just place, let's do it together!
Keep your support Coates. Turncoats and shills are not welcome.
They moved us to reservations and have slowly chipped away at that land. They ignore our rights as sovereign nations making deals with foreign nations for resources on our lands. we stand with you.
and we stand with you sis.
although you kind of pissed me off with your nonsensical and partisan rhetoric, i welcome you to the love train Mr. Coates, glad you are finally seeing the light.
+My Unself "nonsensical and partisan rhetoric" - it's easy to take this stance, when it doesn't impact you at all. If the economy didn't impact you, you'd say the same thing about it. The people who are 'drug free' feel the same way about prohibition.
Saying one group is disproportionally impacted and abused isn't partisan. It's factual. *YOU* feel it's partisan because you personally don't want to be a 'race traitor', because you want to plug your ears and say 'LA LA LA' and act like your inaction isn't harmful. Inaction is not without consequence. Apathy is not without consequence. Ignorance is not without consequence.
+My Unself Finally seeing the light because he admitted he's going to vote for the same person as you? Let's not equate grudgingly voting for a politician of your liking to arriving at some enlightened state.
both of you taking my comment way out of proportion, i have much respect for Mr. Coates, however until this very specific interview his rhetoric was such that he had mainly discussed the issues that he opposes. this is the first time that i hear him speak in an elaborate manner describing the entire picture as a whole, explaining in detail why he specifically chose to criticize Bernie in his article and avoid speaking of Clinton or everyone else that is not in support of 'reparations'. this is the first time that i hear him speak of the positives as well as what he considers as negatives (as well as who he actually supports and why).
so yes, i stand by my phrasing, his rhetoric was partisan. i am willing to walk back the "nonsensical" term if you found that to be offensive, but with all due respect it seemed like nonsense the way he reacted at first without including all of the parameters.
+My Unself Don't listen to them. Coates wrote a huge hit piece. I was upset when he wrote it. But has he written one about Clinton? Will he write one now about Clinton or even our current president? I doubt it.
***** I totally get that. It is divisive. I'm just saying, it's not a justified divisiveness.
You feel left out, you feel like you're being held at fault (sins of the father), therefor, you feel it's not fair. This discounts the LITERAL SLAVERY that was conducted. But, hey, some people don't like the policy, so let's pussyfoot around it, right?
Fuck. That. Noise.
Know what else was controversial? Freeing the damn slaves in the first place. You can't wait until it's no longer controversial, it never will be, because the complacency gets passed down and solidified with every generation.
With every generation that passes, the idea of reparations becomes more and more far removed, and those who oppose it feel less and less responsible. I get that. But it doesn't make the need any less real.
I agreed with Coates in 2016. 2020 has more democratic options, but the Green Party still has the best platforms for reparations, health care and everything else.
Glad he can disagree on issues and still agree Bernie is the best chance we have
Longterm sustainability; investing and rebuilding (including intrapersonally) what racism and classicism has torn down. Including addressing white supremacy. Far better than reparations as it deals with the roots, trunk, branches, and fruit.
I don't think we should even be talking about reparations anymore. We are way past the point where anyone should have to pay the ancestors of those who suffered for the actions of our ancestors. Sins of the father.
That being said, I do feel the obligation to repay the black community in another way, by truely bringing about economic equality. Segregation in the aftermath of slavery was disasterous, and it is the reason black people tend to be poorer than whites today. I believe that Bernie Sanders is solid on that front, speaking regularly on the subject. Handing out money is not going to achieve that goal. Real, meaningful reparations would be simply elevating the black community to the same level as the white community, allowing equal opportunity to exist in reality rather than just in the aspirational pipe dreams of conservatives.
I was really pissed off at this guy last month. After this not so much.
REPARATIONS?! No wonder the Right reacts the way they react when they hear this type of BS. When is this begging going to end?
***** Israel has to deal with Hamas, a terrorist organization. I GLADLY pay my taxes so we can help their armed forces. Modern black people aren't at war with anybody. False comparison.
Shawn Gunnison Yes. I don't think I can add more to that. I am just so glad the term "regressive" caught on this fast. It exemplifies those who claim to be "Liberal" yet constantly speak against the values they're supposed to spouse and protect.
+tehkoalainsurgency I am not even going to reply to your ignorance. Just look up black wall street to find out who black people are war with. Keep your blinders on.
+tehkoalainsurgency One last thing my little youth. One mans terrorist is the next mans freedom fighter. Hamas never attacked US but Israel attacked the US. Think about it son or you one of those fake jews too?
***** Until you don't show me an argument, how is anyone going to take you seriously? You just compared a group of people living in a conflict-free zone like the U.S. and compared them to people who are in an actual conflict.
One of the pillars of regressive rhetoric is to avoid the argument by concluding the other side is "ignorant" while providing ZERO evidence for this claim.
It's not going to end well for you.
I think the most important distinction to make is that Bernie Sanders is against reparations because he has difficulties thinking in terms of race. He's a person that when looking on someone sees who they are regardless of skin tone, and is a person who believes that the first and most crucial step in fair racial politics is to make sure people are treated equally whether they are black or white. Separating those demographics from each other may work temporarily, but in the end it will only polarize an already controversial thing. It will strengthen American racism.
And in terms of how resources are allocated, would you rather have cash prizes for a select amount of people, or a quality school that would take you in no matter how much money you owned? Would you have a bunch of people buying the luxury wares they never got to before(that is just how people generally spend a surplus of money), or would you have them end up with permanent jobs that made them enough money to not worry about the future?
One of those things repares the problem. The other opens the wound.
I realize this may be a false dichotomy. But still, I hope it's clear why one is worth going all-in on without complicating the matters with the other.
Very reasonable man. His specifics about the "reparations" made them sound a lot less infeasible than I previously thought. I don't necessarily agree with it, but it sure makes a lot more sense and to hear him say that he still votes for Sanders is reassuring. He knows that Sanders is the closest to what he wishes for by a long shot.
Reparations is not going to solve institutional racism. That is an issue with the consciousness of society as a whole both black and white. But I do believe scarcity is the root of the problem, once people are lifted up out of a bad environment they have the optimism to raise the level of their consciousness to a positive level that will have an effect on how other races see them in general. Thinking about the form of reparations given, I would say in the form of a tax credits for several different industries.
🌏 for bernie
Not what reparations would look like as much as what the response to bringing attention to these programs as reparation would look like?
In other words, how do you think the racially biased conservatives would react if you presented these programs as a way to make it up to minorities?
That end was was cringey, but hearthwarming at the same time. That coy look as Ta-Nehisi looks over at his son, like, 'why'd you get me into this?'.
I've always had a problem with the idea of reparations specifically for the black community, as opposed to large scale investment in education, healthcare, housing and job placement specifically for the poor. Reparations strike me as being divissive and counterproductive, not to mention that they exclude native Americans who usually aren't even part of the discussion. Coates is obviously a smart and reasonable guy though, so I'd be interested to hear more of his argument.
Wow.....I didn't expect this from Coates'. Voting for Bernie Sanders? I'm surprised he has any faith in politicians or the political process in America. Hopefully this is not the beginning of his compromise. I will say it looks like he is grudgingly voting for him though.
I'm not from the USA, but I have a question.
Barring an armed uprising, how would you go about changing things if you reject participating in the political process? Every movement "wins" when actual legislation results from their activities.
+lifestraight Voting doesn't mean you have to have faith that politics can fix all our problems, it just means you see some difference between the choices and don't want other people to be making that choice for you.
Marklar3 Other people ARE making that choice for you. It is silly to think your vote actually counts for something in America. i have voted. I have participated in the political process on a federal and local level and was disappointed both times. I just don't buy into or believe in the political process as a vehicle for progressive change.
+Nixfi but you can understand how the status quo could make one jaded and skeptical...right ?
+Rashad Muhammad Oh yes. Cynical, even. Apathetic. Nevertheless some struggles are eventually successful. The political process isn't a vehicle for change, but it has to be used eventually if you want to achieve anything.
If all people do is elect Sanders, he won't be able to achieve anything. If I understand it correctly, even with a Democrat majority, as this party stands now, most would be against his agenda. That is why he's trying to grow a movement, to elect new people, to have a viable voter force to counteract lobbying somewhat, etc.
I ask the black community, black leaders, and black elected officials:Why is there no organized concentrated effort to push back against the seemingly universal support by minority groups for allowing undocumented immigration to happen and to flourish?Obama, Sanders, talk of creating living wage jobs for the African American communities while championing the undocumented immigrant population. Why does nobody see these efforts somewhat contradict each other. Whatever the color of poor American citizens maybe, we are losing jobs to the undocumented work force or at the very least, are victims of dropping pay rates because of this demographic driving them down. Fact. Full disclosure, I am for fair immigration reform, I live in a sanctuary city and have seen the pluses but see No One allowed to speak of the minuses out of fear of being called racist. Immigration status is the issue. I dare the Latino lawmakers to say they'd have the same conviction fighting for the rights of the undocumented if Mexico was say Kenya, Mongolia, Indonesia, or Turkey.I think Sanders even caught some heat from the Latino community for some comments he made about America's need to take care of it's own first, namely the Black community.Poll legal American born Hispanics who's ancestors, long ago fought for civil rights, in the Border State, how they fell about undocumented migrants, 73% of who are from Latin countries.You want to see a "sample" of how these communities get along? See Los Angeles.Why would you help a people come into the country and stay in the country when it is a direct conflict in your survival.Any thoughts?
#feeltheBern
I'm 1005 with you Ta-Nehisi, I'm just a bit conservative with the timeline of it's implementation. Sanders at the very least should support John Conyers' long standing bill to INVESTIGATE reparations so can find out what it would cost, what it would look like, and how to implement it. Then, once our economy has recovered and tax base risen to where we can make this reality, we do it. Nothing else really makes much sense. This isn't to say that this isn't what Mr. Coates supports, but rather being a bit more realistic about this thing that should've happened eons ago.
One whishes he had written in his article that he is angry because he expected more from Bernie and that he would have also mentioned that Hillary was against but that he never expected any better then that from her, that would have made the whole issue logical, i still think that was a hit piece since he had lazer focus on Bernie only which he ended up regrretting as we all saw now.
Thank you for explaining the word "reperation". I'm totally on board. Make you wonder though. A significant part of the country goes nuts when black people dare complain about gettin killed for no reason other than they look scary. What would happen if a president would try to do the right thing and talk about reperation?
+Rotnorg it's a damn shame isn't it? They would rather sit and watch areas in this country hurt rather than help it so it doesn't slowly bleed money and hurt a specific community. History will remember our inaction and we will look back and hate ourselves like the generations before.
Yeah, let's give Oprah more money.
heres where I agree and disagree at once. Sanders plans will help the black communities. he admits that. but he several times said that the focus shouldn't be on all of us universally but on blacks.
here's the thing. reparations are incredibly earned and need to happen. but this economy isn't helping anybody at the moment. and it's obviously hurting blacks even worse.
to me fixing the economy should be a first priority. but I do appreciate his commitment to keep reparations in the public eye.
But Coates please do us all a Favor and ask Clinton why she won't support reparations. hell she won't even enforce the reparations my people got for the near extinction of my people.
play fairly if you are going tup call one out then call the rest out as well. really make a spectacle of it. because as it stands you still sound like an attack machine against Bernie. I know you aren't. but make it clearer and stop dancing around the fact that nobody running for president not even a black man (Carson).
Not this brother...
Reparations make no sense this day and age. If any former slaves or children of slaves are alive(zero). They should get them. Nowadays you don't know what people would do with them.
I can only hope that one day ,we realize that this not only a black and white world. many have suffered throughout history.
You know, when I read his piece on Sanders' opposition to reparations, while I thought it was unfair to single out Bernie, I also wouldn't attack him for being a "Hillary shill" like everyone else seemed to, because I knew he was too smart for that. Glad to hear he's still going to support Bernie.
I believe the hang up for a lot of people is the specific term 'reparations'. If this was instead explained to uneducated people as something like 'payments through the court of law for damaged rendered' a lot more people would support it.
As Mr. Coates said people with damages need reparations. I think that these all sound like city and state issues. These for the most part they do not seem to be Federal Issues. Why would a Presidential Candidate even worry about these issues as Mr. Coates said that it does not need a universal solution when the federal government paints broad strokes and the local and state have the ability to apply more detailed strokes with their own laws. What would be interesting is to see some data on states that have the lowest levels of Minority Poverty, Incarceration and the highest levels of education and house ownership with prime rate mortgages in those communities. What are the policies that make it work in those places?
One of the problem with reparations is that there's no universal vision of what it would actually mean in practice
The Alaska Native Settlement Claims Act from the late 70's or the reparations paid to Jewish holocaust survivor in 2016 are examples of reparations in practice. There's no shortage of ideas.
I meant I havent heard a clear idea in terms of what reparations for african americans specifically would mean. What exactly would that mean in practice, how much money and to who
So is he endorsing her?
Don't be scared! #FeelTheBern #WeAreBernie #GetOutAndVote #CaucusForBernie #PrimaryForBernie #VoiceYourChoice #VoteTogether
Lets say we give every black American $10.000 it will not change anything in the end. It will cost 4 trillion dollars but a year later Black people will end up the same place as before. So I agree with Obama and Sanders invest that 4 trillion dollar in inner citys, invest it in jobs and education.
When you listen to what Sanders actually said, he essentially does support reparations.
Sanders argues a disproportionate amount of funds and opportunities should be directed toward those most in need, which he specifically acknowledges most largely means blacks. He is basically proposing reparations without calling it by that name.
And when you listen closely to Coates, he in a sense understands that Sanders is supporting reparations. But he disagrees on the basis of strategy, not principle. Coates wants a more direct approach in attacking racism.
Coates is sympathetic to Sanders approach, though. He admits that he used to be against reparations. This is an issue that doesn’t just divide the races but also within the races. Depending on when and what specifically is asked, around 30 to 40% of blacks in the US don’t support reparations. Yes, a majority does support them, but it isn’t a massive majority.
This is why they lost and he is going to lose again
Reparations would be great if at all possible, but just as any politician knows it would never past muster or would come up for a vote in either part of the Congress, not the House of Reps. or the Senate and therefore is a Quixotic notion. Coates who is a marvelous writer with a comprehensive understanding of politics and society surely knows this and would concede the point of it being inevitable to defeat. And this would do nothing but ignite resentment in many communities that perhaps might have their own beef with the government over ill treatment, treatment certainly not as egregious as that which has burden black Americans, but ill treatment nevertheless. I'm sure Irish Americans, Italian Americans, Jewish Americans, and of course Hispanic Americans have all felt the sting of prejudice. Hell even poor whites in Appalachia and here in the south which I am descended from have a litany of grievances against government. I am from North Carolina and I would remind Mr. Coates that not only were blacks victims of Eugenics, but poor whites as well, uneducated whites, mentally ill whites. People from all racial backgrounds were targets of the sterilization program and all that was required is they be poor and not understand what was being perpetrated against them simply because it wasn't properly explained, and often was done surreptitiously. Sanders and as well president Obama's approach are the most viable and Killer Mike opinion which is in accordance with Sanders is also a very logical one. Regardless I appreciate the fact Mr. Coates has made it clear he supports Senator Sanders.
Bernie says reparations have no chance in congress and are divisive. Meh. The right answer is 'fuck yeah, I support reparations. What a stupid question."
OK.. HE'S NOT RADICAL!!! only in the US would you think Senator Sanders is radical!!! he's middle right republican from the 30's (think FDR).. HE IS NOT A RADICAL.. get over it.. His platform is very, very mainstream and in the majority of peoples wants/needs
What is a President Sanders going to do that a President can't do????
"Reparations" is a divisive bad idea that promotes one class of citizens above all others. Let's all move forward from where we are now.
+Ru Drisi
sure, but white privilege needs to end first and foremost and then unjust laws that work against the rights of ethnic communities need to be abolished. Then the history books should speak of a more accurate history, not a PC history that is friendly to White People.
This part:
"... and there's also the way that racism in America injures attempts at social policies. Every time social policies are put forth in America, there's a rather large part of the public that's concerned about black people being included in those policies."
(Not exact quote but I think close enough.)
This is in part exactly why I don't understand how reparations could ever come to pass in the US... and how I don't see how they'd work. Is the idea in any shape or form to give black people a chunk of money? I do think that simply giving people money directly can be enormously effective empowerment btw. My concern is that - there's no amount of cash in hand that can rectify the lasting impact of the institution of slavery - well, there might be, but it would be fantasy sums. We are talking about the life-determining effects of things like growing up in a ghetto with lead paint, hearing gun shoots at night, having a parent who works double shifts and isn't home when you need her, and a bad school. Some naturally gifted people survive and thrive after all that, but most don't.
I mean - at some point it's the dysfunctioning institutions the money has to be poured into, not individuals. If the schools function really well, and social services and police and so on... and of course if jobs are available and pay living wages - those are the things poor (black and white) people need, and it can't really be bought by individuals.
But in the US, it's nearly impossible to get any such policies passed to begin with. How bad would it be after reparations were paid out? So black people would soon be in pretty much the exact same position as before, and it would be even harder to get institutional changes, which is already extremely hard.
Coates is so wrong. If South Africa had Coates instead of Mandela, they wouldn't have ever arrived at forgiveness. Sometimes, as unfair and wrong as it is, you have to forgive if you want the world to improve. If justice is demanded and taken, too often the other side interprets the "justice" as vengeance... and then want vengeance themselves.
why would black people want reparations?
Hi. I live in Austria where we have all those things that Obama and Sanders promised. Ta-Nehisi says "I would like to believe". Well, then see EUrope. It is possible. You don´t have to be rich to go to university. Health care is compulsory. People that earn more than 60K a yyear pay 50% taxes. Nothing is free, it´s simply redistributed.
Coates... no one is saying the goals are going to be achieved quickly or easily. And when you mention "white supremacy"... you're ignoring the political reality that any big investment would require coalitions of people and enough agreement to get passed. As unfair and wrong as it is, focusing on the sin might prevent folks from eventually coming together and investing in a solution.
Bernie Sanders #ReparationsDenier
Bernie Sanders #ReparationsDenier
I just don't get how reparations really would help people who are stupid enough to fall for predatory loans. How stupid do you have to be to refinance without reading the fine print? How will giving the grandchildren of slaves a big chunk of money help? Look at how lottery winners do.
Education seems like the much more sensible way to go. Unfortunately nothing about this reasoning or the details are discussed in this segment.
That interview with Bernie has a terrible background music track.
We can't go back and make right laws that were broken generations ago by giving money or land! If Abortion was made illegal tomorrow we wouldn't go back and charge those that had abortions with murder! We have so much opportunity in this country....when will some people stop being victims and enjoy the opportunities that each man has. There is no perfect society, every person gets hated on in some way. Rising above requires hard work and thankfulness....not accusations and bitterness.
Too late... 22 trillion in debt and now have many more races taking priority. Stay educated, quit preying on each other, help fellow man and pull each other up. Give a man a fish he eats for a day teach a man to fish and he well eats well the rest of his life.
I stopped listening after he said Bernie was a "devout socialist".
+Taurus Fiend or envowed? idk
I....I have no idea what you're talking about.
***** we all have those moments, I've overreacted also. :)
This is a good moment to remind everyone that at this very moment slaves in Africa are taking minerals out of the ground to build the device on which you are reading these lines. I am for reparation, but much more urgent would be to end the slavery that is happening right now at this very moment!
Bankers are the common denominator?
Glad West ran this dude off.😂
8:15 Low income black communities were not "targeted with predatory loans" and if you had one modicum of common sense you would realize that's not true. Why would banks want to give loans to people they KNEW wouldn't be able to pay them back? What happened was the government FORCED the banks to give sub prime loans to low income families (which are disproportionately black) with the "Fair Housing Act", which lead to
the housing crisis.
I sincerely do not understand this argument for reparations. Who would reparations go to? What would they entail? When we already have a massive bigoted, christian, right wing conservative population in the US who complain about welfare (unjustly) this (in my mind) would only fuel fires of hatred and division. If reparations means investing time and money into impoverished areas in order to improve schools, police, provide jobs etc. then I am all for it, but that doesn't appear to be what activists are suggesting. Am I missing something?
+Nick Watson Did you watch the whole video(not trying to be a dbag, just asking haha)? But yea, He's talking about specific cases where individuals have been discriminated because of color, for say housing/employment. Like any other group (ie LGBT or whatever) if you have proof of discrim, you can obtain 'reparations' under the law. I think the problem is semantics, and how we have politicized the word. I think Sanders is all for what Coates is asking for here (he believes in every area criminals need to be prosecuted, and this extends to civil cases as well). I think the problem is that when Sanders was asked the question, he thought of reparations as some blanket policy where every person of color would receive some kickback. He doesn't believe in that of course, and didn't want the media to assume he was.
Reparations doesn't mean cutting a check...don't get me wrong a couple million for the the hundreds of years of torture of my ancestors, destruction of black wall street, Jim Crow, and the agenda for war on drugs in order to destroy black lives would be nice, however I believe exemption from taxes for the next 5 to 600 years would be great or free college education would be adequate.
This guy only want to see color and race EVERYWHERE... That's not helping.
reparations cant happen for 1 reason: We would have to make things right with native Americans first, this would be nearly impossible. Secondly, the Japanese people we put into camps, Irish, german, and polish discrimination in the early 1900's ect. We have been an equal opportunity discriminator.
+scott ferrentino Unfortunately germany didnt pay reparations to the Jews.
He has a punchable face, but he's come to the right side.
They should give them reparations.
African-Americans will not save it, they will only spend it on bling-bling; in a year the economy will get back all the money they received.
Louis Litt.... anyone?
#Bigot Lives Matter
Tulsi Gabbard, presidential candidate 2020, supports reparations. Donate $1 to get her on the debate stage. Tulsi.to/donate