Let me say that what was done both to the Africans and the Native Americans was a horrible part of the American History. It was all of the Americas not just the US. And even to this day, many of their descendents suffer from what happened. One of the worst examples of the ill treatment was what Andrew Jackson's Administration did to the Native Americans.
But, one must remember that most of those who came to the Americas to make a home for themselves, did so not as a privileged class of people, but most were forced from their countries because who they were are what they believed. Most hoped to have a new beginning here. Sadly a few decided to enslave others, but that was not the majority. Many came over as indentured servants, just to make and new start to this country.
With that said, I know you didn't ask for comments, but I just want to ask a few questions to get your viewpoint. For the most part others have asked them. I think Crazy151drinker and I are on the same page on many of these points.
Over 60,000,000 people have immigrated to the US since 1861. Many of the over 600,000 that came during the Civil War came to fight for the North. Most of those in the US today are direct descendents of these immigrants. What do you think they owe?
Even for those who lived in the US before the war, many had no involvement in slavery. By far slaveholders were in the minority. Even my relatives, who lived in a slave state never, I repeat never owned slaves. They were small tenant farmers. What do they owe?
Over 360,000 Union Solders died either by disease or by a direct result of the war. What do their relatives owe?
Many of the Africans sent to the US were captured by other Africans and sold to the Slave Traders. If the Slave Traders had not received the support of other Africans, there would have been far fewer slaves in the New World. What is your organization doing to address those who benefited that still live in Africa?
Several leading thinkers at the time wanted to repatriate Slaves to Africa. If they had been successful, would the average African American be better off today?
What percent of African Americans can claim their forefathers were slaves held by US Slaveholders? Note I didn't say prove I know that can be difficult
If you could identify who benefited from slavery, then I would agree that you have a rights in the US Civil Courts. I would even say that the statute of limitations should never expire. However, most if not all of the large slaveholders were totally wiped out in the war. Granted I think you may be able to identify banks, insurance companies or other large firms that may have benefited. But, with our modern day ownership of companies you would be taking money from many stockholders that had nothing to do with slavery.
Throughout history man has found away to disgrace themselves in the ill treatment of their fellow man. I think everyone could claim that their forefathers were greatly disadvantaged by someone or some group of people. Everyone lives on land that was taken from someone. We who find themselves alive in the US in the year 2002 should be grateful. People in many parts of the world take great risks to have the opportunity we have.
As to your point: "We have to assimilate to survive in the US at the expense of losing our ancestral heritage." That is true of everyone in the US or any country in this world. The Celts had to first bend to Roman Rule, then to Saxon Rule, then Viking Rule then to Norman Rule. But, that is what makes them British today. The language we use on this board is a direct result of this assimilation. I would say African Americans in the US have more in common with the vast hordes of immigrants that now make up the Americas then they do with their ancestors in Africa.
Edited by - Analysis on 16 August 2002 15:44:20
