Slavery built America: Pay reparations

America was built on slavery. It helped create the white middle class, as companies profited off the slave trade.

Yet it’s clear that Republican leadership, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, is against reparations for the atrocities perpetrated on descendants, some of whom are their constituents. Although no living white person is responsible for slavery, they all have benefited, just as all living black people wear the scars of slavery. By dismissing reparations, Republicans show they don’t intend to be on the right side of history. As the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check that has come back marked ‘insufficient funds.’ But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt.”

William J. Booker

University Park, Ill. Questions remain about reparations. First, will future generations of slave descendants receive reparations? If not, why? Is it only the current generation of living slave descendants who will receive reparation? Do our leaders think money will magically fix the long-lasting handicaps that have been put on African Americans?

Second, thousands of Union soldiers, of various backgrounds, died in order to end slavery. With so many soldiers from the North dying, in addition to those suffering from postwar casualties and diseases, families were struck with economic challenges. Should their descendants receive compensation, too?

It’s easy to look at this issue and think money will fix it. There must be a better answer.

Greg Bachmann

Parker, Ariz.