Recently I sat through yet another television show about reparations. This particular show was about some modern day african-americans who’re seeking reparations for land apparently taken from some other african-americans over 100 years ago! I think it was in Virginia just after the arrival of the 20th century. I’ve seen similiar shows. Usually about African-Americans, but just as often about American Indians.
First off, if you look up “reparations” these folks are after the wrong thing? My dictionary defines reparations as, “... making amends for a wrong one has done..., by helping those who were wronged...” Or as, “... compensation for war damage paid by a Defeated State”. There are further definitions, but None that include payment(s) by some “One” living generations After a wrong’s been done! Still, that doesn’t deter people from pursuing “reparations” for things done in the long ago, misty past.
Indians looking back to the 1800s (and further) wanting to convince the rest of us “Ones” living today to give back “their” land. (Don’t include me, even though according to family history, I carry Indian blood from two sides of my family). African-americans seeking to garner “something” for wrongs done to (long dead) ancestors held as slaves. Both groups seeking payment for wrongs done generations ago, By someone, To someone, to be paid by modern day “Someones”!
Sometimes it’s just an apology of some sort that’s being sought. Admittedly, I often feel my heartstrings being stretched taught listening to some of these folks. I feel terribly sad that their ancestors were so mis-treated. Often on a grand scale and yet in such intently personal, inhuman ways. But then, reflecting on history reminds me to come to my senses.
If you’re familiar with the past 5,000 years of history you know what I mean. People have lost their land, their freedom, possessions, even entire countries through wars and conquest. Nearly every part of the globe has been fought over (most of it many times). And each time, the conquerors took anything they could get their hands on (and kept, long as they could). The primary reason for war was to take whatever the defeated country offered. Defeated peoples were often made slaves, sometimes for centuries. It was (is?) the way of the world.
That is, at least up until the past 50 years or so. That’s about the time when we (America) began to get a little stupid? We’re the first (only) country to fight wars, then go back and rebuild whatever we could, even in the defeated nations!
