REPARATION
QUESTIONS
Much has been said recently about
reparations. Reparations in the form of monetary retribution for the ancestors
of slaves from the early American colonies. The primary thinking behind
reparations to the progenitors of slaves is that today’s American citizenry
would fund the reparations through taxpayer treasuries in an effort to “correct
the wrongs” of slavery that occurred hundreds of years ago. The exact financial
amount of the reparations per African-American citizen is currently
undetermined. Whether it would be a lump sum, one-time payment or an ongoing
monthly stipend is yet to be determined. The identification of which
African-Americans would “qualify” for which reparations, and the accompanying methodology
for the reparations calculation is also currently undetermined. The idea of
financial reparations for decedents of slaves, multiple generations after
slavery was abolished in America conjures several other questions about the
idea of reparations for atrocities in general –
§ Should only selective U.S. citizens
with family heritage originating in southern confederate States during the
years of slavery be responsible to pay reparations?
§ Should reparations also be paid to
the descendant families for the hundreds of thousands of soldiers and others
from the Union States that lost their lives fighting to end slavery and free the
slaves? Or should reparations be paid to the families of all victims and
families of fallen soldiers from other barbaric wars?
§ Why wouldn’t we pay reparations to
all citizens families of victims of other horrific crimes?
§ Why shouldn’t we pay reparations to
all citizen descendants of victims of drunk or drug-impaired drivers?
§ Why couldn’t we pay reparations to
all descendent family members from willfully committed abortions where the
health of the mother or the child was not a contributing factor (i.e. abortions
of convenience)?
§ Shouldn’t we pay reparations to all
children of parents who have been neglected, malnourished or abused; detached alcoholic/drug
addicted parents, irresponsible parents who allow/promote risky or immoral
activities for their children?
§ Wouldn’t it be right to pay
reparations to children raised in homes where consistent second-hand smoke was
permissible?
§ Shouldn’t we pay reparations to
children raised in single parent homes where one parent selfishly or recklessly
abandoned the family?
§ Why wouldn’t we pay reparations to
children that don’t have the opportunity to attend to college and receive a
degree?
§ Why wouldn’t we pay reparations to
children that weren’t properly inoculated?
§ Couldn’t it be a good thing to pay
reparations to everyone who lost a job because a company had selfish,
self-serving or corrupt boards of directors who mismanaged their business?
§ Shouldn’t we pay reparations to the
living generations of individuals that have been persecuted, terrorized or
eradicated because of religious beliefs, sexual orientation, victims of mass
shootings or other horrific acts of discrimination or violence?
There are thousands of reasons that could
be identified as worthy of reparations. Almost everyone could find some event
in their family history, some act of injustice where their ancestors had been horribly
“wronged” by someone else, by a government, or some malevolent and malicious
group. Human nature is overwhelmingly flawed. Regardless of how altruistic and
benevolent a group may profess to be, sadly there are still some that are
misguided, have corrupt thoughts (i.e. mental illness) and allow their thoughts
to evolve into barbarous, evil acts of human brutality.
Our primary responsibility, as individuals
and communities, is to do the best we can with the current/best knowledge
available. We live and learn. Mistakes and even horrific events happen – sadly,
it’s an ugly part of mortal life. Times of sustained peace, prosperity,
tranquility and harmony in a widespread community are historically rare.
We can try to prevent widescale acts of
violence to our best ability, but when they’re not prevented, we have to learn
from them and move forward with the best of intentions to avoid their repetition.
Although idealistic, a citizenship has to employ a vigilant, continuous effort of
employing best practices, correcting and improving. For the most part,
reparations probably won’t fix much of anything. Conversely, it’s most likely
that reparations will generate a whole new quagmire of complicated troubles for
the country and communities that will further promote division, entitlement, resentment
and regrettably, even more violence.
For the faithful, there are several
scriptural passages that provide solace to those that have been wronged,
scarred, abused, mistreated, molested, violated or oppressed in any way, shape
or form. God’s promises are clear and without equivocation:
§ And God will wipe away every tear
from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There
shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Then He who sat
on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ And He said to me, ‘Write,
for these words are true and faithful.’ (Rev 21:4-5)
§ ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’
says the Lord. And again, ‘The Lord will judge His people.” (Heb 10:30)
§ ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit: for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be
comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are
they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall
say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is
your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before
you.’ (Matt 5:3-5, 10-12)
§ ‘Blessed are they which are
persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed
are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner
of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for
great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were
before you.’ (Jn 13:34-35)
§ ‘Peace I leave with you, My peace I
give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be
troubled, neither let it be afraid.’ (Jn 14:27)
§ And we know that all things work
together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according
to his purpose (Rom 8:28)
§ For our light affliction, which is
but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of
glory (Rom 4:17)
§ Peace be unto thy soul; thine
adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou
endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy
foes. (D&C 121:7-8)
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Wm. Calvin Hughes |
Lake Elsinore, CA | August 27, 2019
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