Analysis Of The Article ' The Case For Reparations '

Ta-Nehisi Coates’ essay, The Case for Reparations, is a rhetorical essay focused on attempting to convince American’s that the descendants of African-Americans are owed something since their ancestors were a key part of the foundation of this nation. His main audience is clearly African Americans, but my question is how well he does convincing other demographics. Can he convince Asians, Caucasians, or Hispanics? What about single mothers in Kentucky? If Ta-nehisi Coates is unable to convince more than just his target audience then it can be argued that he did not do a great job of communicating his ideas to everyone.

In “The Case for Reparations” by Ta-Nehisi Coates, the author begins his article with this quote to ensure that his audience has a different perspective about the case for African American reparations. There is no denying that since the inception of the United States of America, African Americans have faced serious discrimination and injustice, which may in fact entitle them to reparations. Some African American communities of the present are still experiencing the negative effects of slavery, Reconstruction and post-Reconstruction racism. These negative effects are evident in Chicago’s North Lawndale, where the almost all-black community still suffers from the injustices committed by contract sellers when African Americans would try to purchase a home (Coates). In his article, Coates claims that African Americans deserve reparations because they inherit an “ecologically different” type of poverty compared to whites as members and are haunted by their history of impoverished ancestors (“The Case for Reparations”). The author’s premise is flawed because poverty is disadvantageous to all groups it affects, not just African Americans. Thus, one cannot justify reparations because African Americans have a different type of inherited poverty. There are

America has gone through a terrible past. It has once decided to own people as property and deprive African Americans of their liberties and enslaved them. Since then, the United States has attempted to repair this mistake through reparations. The legal reparations of the United States have unsuccessfully redressed individual and social injustices by failing to alleviate the pain caused to the African American community. The Harm caused by Slavery still continues to be suffered by the community through this day.

First and foremost, Coates in his article barely touches upon ways of going about said reparations. Although he does state or at least imply that the primary point (or aim) of his article, is to enumerate the list of injustices faced by the blacks at the hands of the white populace, and not to advocate any particular means of reparations; such an article without any means or ways of ensuing actions to resolve, defeats the purpose of presenting one in the first place. This he further concedes by hinting at the fact that teams of scholars, such as the HR 40, after heated debates and discussions, might find that America may never be able to repay the African American Community. “The idea of reparations is frightening not simply because we might lack the ability to

It is totally unbelievable that America being a country full of diversity has this dark side that a majority is ashamed to talk about. In the article “The Case for Reparations,” Ta-Nehisi Coates debates how the endless timeline of wrongdoings, both socially and economically, towards the black community have ultimately affected their position in society today.

The article, “The Case for Reparations”, presents itself with a commendable representation on how the need for reparations is essential when combined with the brutal history of slavery and progression of blacks in American Society after slavery. Ta- Nehisi Coates argues that the relationship between racial identity and reparations is based upon America’s debt to blacks for the countless years of injustice. With this he demonstrates how white supremacy has ultimately used impractical measures to maintain what they consider social stability for those who were not African American.

A big argument often used in support of reparations is the idea that reparations will help to fix the socio-economic problems with African Americans in the United States. Although a check for $10,000 or $20,000 may be helpful for a short period of time, it will do very little in the long run. Racism won’t end just because African Americans are given an apology and a bag of money. It may in fact make things worse if people feel that reparations are unjustified and they dislike the special treatment of African Americans. Reparations won’t fix the fact that most people who live in ghettos are African American or the wage gap between whites and blacks. It may even cause African Americans to be in a worse financial situation than they were previously if they are irresponsible with it.

Slavery has been entwined with American history ever since Dutch traders brought twenty captive Africans to Jamestown, Virginia in 1619. Slavery in America is a subject with minimal truths and stories rarely told. The public school system excludes the fact that eight of the first twelve American presidents were major slaveholders. Emancipation brought freedom, but not approximation. The civil rights movement killed Jim Crow, but shadows remained. Affirmative Action created opportunities, but racism continues.

Reparation is a term defined as “the making of amends for a wrong one has done, by paying money to or otherwise helping those who have been wronged.” How does this exactly apply when we’re talking about discrimination and segregation? Ta-Nehisi Coates presents “The Case for Reparations” to illustrate the need of a reparation to African- American citizens. Coates explains three major concepts in his paper. He emphasizes how African- American citizens have helped create wealth, displays how the government has actually restricted African- American citizens from owning homes in history, and presents a series of compelling stories from people still suffering discrimination and segregation today. In this paper, I will defend “The Case for Reparations” in agreement with Ta-Nahisi Coates.

The United States government should pay reparations to African Americans as a means of admitting their wrong-doing and making amends. The damages African Americans have sustained from White America’s policy of slavery have been agonizing and inhumane. Therefore, I am in favor of reparations for African Americans. The effect of slavery has been an enduring issue within the African American community. Many of us are cognizant of the harm racism brought to the African American race, conveyed through slavery, racial segregation and discrimination. African Americans suffered many atrocities, but the greatest damage done to them was the destruction of they’re original identity. African

The debate over whether reparations are due to African Americans for the injustice of slavery and the racial inequalities present in our current society has grown over the past years. Problems like housing, jobs, and overall discrimination vastly affect the African American population. This has caused a lot of controversy, as many believe that they deserve compensation for the hardships they constantly have to go through. This debate has become more popular in prior years, but nobody has gone as far as John Conyers, who introduced a bill by the name of H.R. 40 to the House of Representatives in 1989. The bill has not yet been passed, but has gained support during the past decade. H.R. 40 calls for the creation of a committee to examine

According to Google, the word “reparation” is defined as the making of amends for a wrong one has done, by paying money to or otherwise helping those who have been wronged. Reaching the twentieth-first century, many reparations to address the dreadful economic costs of slavery and racial discrimination have been proposed for African-Americans in the United States. From monetary payments to opportunity-based rewards, these compensations have been proposed in a variety of forms. Although the government today issues a wide range of tangible reimbursements, the “intangibles” of slavery and racial injustice of African-Americans can never be reparated.

When George W. Bush apologized to victims of slavery in 2003, he sought to recognize the injustices committed and begin the healing process without apportioning blame (Wagner, 2010). While his approach is a subject of debate, the initiated a reconciliation process for the whole nation (Wagner, 2010). But when the process is permanent through physical symbols, the impact is felt even by future generations. Hattery, Embrick, & Smith (2008) note that an apology paves ways for measures to address injustices. Thus, a relationship is established between the oppressor and the oppressed for the healing to take place. And since the reparation is offered to a community, it addresses even future generations and creates lasting solutions.

When defining the term reparations I think of the idea in making amends for something wrong someone has done, past tragedies and mishaps. However, in the case of Sandel's article I feel that I should not be held responsible for the actions of others, especially my ancestors, whether there actions were good or bad. As stated in the article, as a moral individualist I'm obligated to do whatever I may choose only if I volunteer to do it. I feel that people have to realize that we are individuals before we are affiliated with parts of any group or team. I only owe others by virtue of consent not by obligations of solidarity. Being that I am an individual born into freedom, being free to make my own life decisions and choses, why should I be held

The post-slavery and post-colonial era of global history has been marked by continued oppression and racism against blacks politically, economically, and socially. Despite the emancipation and independence obtained by former slaves and colonies, blacks around the world are still faced with systematic oppression through segregation, limited education, and impoverishment. Reparations have been proposed as a possible repayment for the generations of torment faced by blacks worldwide. Although many activists have different definitions, forms, and justifications for reparations, they collectively believe that reparations are necessary to successfully move forward as a global society.