Reparations as Intraelite Competition

Neo-Ciceronian Times ^ | July 10, 2019 | Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus

[Yashcheritsiy]

We’ve been hearing a lot of talk recently about reparations, the idea that certain demographic groups in Western countries (but especially the USA) “owe” other demographic groups because of past injustices, whether real or imagined. Typically this talk is cast in racial tones – whites owe racial minorities for oppression, despite whites taking the historically unprecedented steps of abolishing formal slavery, granting minorities “civil rights,” and allowing minorities the opportunity to participate fully in their societies – something that virtually no other group of people in history have done. There has been a low level of background noise along this line for decades in academia. However, other groups in the intersectionality alliance are also trying to get in on the action as well. Gays demand that they be given redress for past intolerance of their perversions. Immigrants demand that western societies atone for the past “sins” of colonisation, in many cases where this colonisation was extremely beneficial to them, and even in cases where this colonisation never actually occurred. Pretty much everybody with a perceived axe to grind is trying to hop on board this gravy train.

[Yashcheritsiy]

An essay on social theory and power.

[I want the USA back]

They will get nothing from me!

[mbarker12474]

Sho 'nuff. Have all you wont.

[dp0622]

Here’s my essay.

I don’t give a #$#$ whether other cultures or countries benefited from invasions or slavery in the long run or not.

Stuff happens.

Live with it.

[bgill]

They first need to get reparations from those African tribes who captured fellow Africans and sold them into slavery.

[marron]

"Reparations" means someone decides who gets how much. And the guy who decides how much you get, and how much I get, is our king. He owns both of us.

Actually, reparations are about the acquisition and use of power...

Exactly. And another good point:

the pious chittering from the religious Left about “speaking for the powerless” with respect to racial minorities and “refugees” is such a red herring. These groups obviously already have those with power “speaking for them,” since they are their retainers. If this wasn’t the case, then we wouldn’t even be talking about reparations for blacks in America and “refugees” would already be being booted back to their countries of origin.

And finally:

It’s fallacious to think that “reasoned debate” will have any major role in allaying any of this, however. The only argument against power is power.

Well stated. The whole thing is worth a read and a re-read.

Cheers

[marron]

I’m fine with reparations as long as Democrats pay for it from their party coffers.

[bk1000]

We owe nothing more than the opportunity to grow and thrive. Anything more is a handout taken from someone who earned it.

[maxwellsmart_agent]

In 1753, Jacob Urban immigrated to what was to become the United States from what was then Germany. He fought in the Revolution and then moved to Pike County, Pennsylvania. In the Census, you can see the name trickle down the Coal Strip. Those are my father's side of the family. During the 1800’s, the Fennell side of the family came to this country. That was my mother's side of the family. Both sides fought in the Civil War to free the slaves. Some were wounded, some were killed. Now democratic politicians are trying to get elected promising reparations. This is abhorrent to me. I say no!