2008 Woodie Awards
Society has already made reparations
Issue date: 3/3/05 Section: Letters to the Editor
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The two submissions that have prompted me to write are Evan Sweetman's commentary on the United Nations Congo fiasco (United Nations excels in scandal, embarrassment," Feb. 24). Excellent work! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and found the points made to be right on.
The second submission was the article sighting Tracey McCarthy's reparations speech ("Reparations are 'common sense,' says professor," Feb. 24). Unlike the crime victims cited by Ms. McCarthy as requiring financial relief from their offenders, no slaves are left alive. In addition, reparations have already been made, by the whole of society, regardless of whether or not our ancestors benefited from slavery.
The reparations I refer to are Affirmative Action, diversity initiatives in all sectors, and to a lesser degree the multitude of social services available to people who need a hand up. I would not dare to say that these efforts could ever make up for the individual sufferings of all slaves. However, I would suggest that there has not been a better time in our history for a person of color to take advantage of what this society has to offer.
I believe that the country as a whole is doing what it can to level the playing field for all citizens. I for one would like to see us stop trying to punish ourselves for the transgressions of our forefathers, but rather look at how far we've come and what measures we can put in place so our children have a future with even more equity.
Gianna Ark
Alumnus, 2001
The second submission was the article sighting Tracey McCarthy's reparations speech ("Reparations are 'common sense,' says professor," Feb. 24). Unlike the crime victims cited by Ms. McCarthy as requiring financial relief from their offenders, no slaves are left alive. In addition, reparations have already been made, by the whole of society, regardless of whether or not our ancestors benefited from slavery.
The reparations I refer to are Affirmative Action, diversity initiatives in all sectors, and to a lesser degree the multitude of social services available to people who need a hand up. I would not dare to say that these efforts could ever make up for the individual sufferings of all slaves. However, I would suggest that there has not been a better time in our history for a person of color to take advantage of what this society has to offer.
I believe that the country as a whole is doing what it can to level the playing field for all citizens. I for one would like to see us stop trying to punish ourselves for the transgressions of our forefathers, but rather look at how far we've come and what measures we can put in place so our children have a future with even more equity.
Gianna Ark
Alumnus, 2001