Will Ta-Nehisi Coates' Case for Reparations Begin a National Dialogue?

Ta-Nehisi Coates

Ta-Nehisi Coates' case for reparations tackles the decades of crying out by African Americans, who've long fought against the unjust system of exploitation here in America.

Deriving from the personal experiences of those who lived through the Jim Crow era and interjecting valid facts about slavery, and how it transitioned in to institutionalized racism; the writer lets us know that this is more than an issue -- this is an epidemic. 

In the Atlantic article written by Mr. Coates, you'll receive a brief insight into America's shameful past through the eyes of those that lived it. History always makes a comeback when scores haven't been settled -- when debts haven't been paid. For centuries black bodies have been treated like credit cards that never max out, and now in the 21st century, Ta-Nehisi Coastes readjusted the "black bodies bill" and shipped it off by first class mail to the public, in hopes of finally attaining payment -- or at least a discussion for the masses, on a past due balance.....that's long overdue.

#ThankYouToAllThatFoughtForReparationsInThePast
#ThankYouToAllThatContinueToFightToday

2014 LA

The Oppressor Verses The Oppressed

Pondering over the last few months, in less then forty days the American people are electing a new president.

We've come a long way with debates, speeches, interviews, ads, and the rude awakening of blatant in-your-face racism.

Over the course of the election, there were things learned about the black race that had never been known before; sad that it took having an African American running for president to begin these discussions -- but it's a starting point. 

Through it all I've realized that this presidency is obviously the battle of the fortunate verses the less fortunate; or shall we say the oppressor verses the oppressed?

The oppressor makes it painfully obvious that their agenda is to keep others downtrodden, in order to make themselves priority at all times. Researching Black history, American history, and governmental history, everything began to connect like dots as I followed the "yellow brick road" all the way up to the current Bush administration and it hit me, that everything the oppressor tries to brand minorities as -- they really are themselves.

Example 1: Since the first slaves were brought to America the oppressor has worked tirelessly to form negative images of black people, so that eventually all who listened would come to believe it. 

In fact one of the first films depicting black people in a negative light was a movie directed by Dixon Griffith, and it was titled 'The Birth of A Nation'. 

The film portrayed people of color as thugs, gangsters, and rapers of white women. However, because the oppressors were wrong to enforce slavery while raping black women, and forcing cruel treatment upon blacks -- wouldn't that then characterize the oppressors as thugs, gangsters, and rapers? 

Maybe the oppressors assumed if Blacks were cast in a negative light, it would give them an excuse to treat them the way they always have and still do? Remember, everything has a history behind it.

Example 2: The oppressors dismiss people of color while branding them as welfare and charity cases. How can one brand a race of people knowing full well the history behind the struggling race?

If the oppressors' ancestors were forced to another country while being treated worse than a dog, and enslaved for over 500 years and after slavery was abolished -- still looked upon as a second class citizen with no chance to realize true opportunities, I'm sure the oppressors would need some sort of financial assistance as well. After all, being oppressed is having everything taken away from you, including your pride and dignity and as a result, the struggle can transfer to future generations making them the product of a painful and misplaced history. Try bouncing back from that one.

Instead, the oppressors gain wealth from the blood, sweat, and tears of other races while using their money to pass onto future generations; this keeps wealth within the oppressors circle. The oppressors creating wealth from the efforts of other races can also be considered as corporate welfare; a form of welfare for the rich.

Example 3: The oppressors want all to believe that people of color are illiterate and incapable of learning, and are less intelligent then other races. This is why books and intelligent Negroes, were kept away from the illiterate ones as it was discovered early on that knowledge is power, so they took the minds of the slaves and left the bodies. 

If a slave was caught reading or writing they were either beatup or sold off. This same method has carried over into the 21st century, but instead of beatings we have broken public school systems, and states trying to erode the very unions put in place to protect our teachers. For some reason minority children are thought of as low class, and not good enough for top of the line education.

Example 4: And then there is the skin color issue that seems to infuriate the oppressors and ignorant like-minded individuals. But obviously having brown skin doesn't make a person all that inferior, if that were the case then Senator Obama wouldn't be whooping John McCain's a** right now in the presidential election; but just an observation.

No one can understand the oppressed better than someone who has been oppressed, and John McCain couldn't be oppressed especially when he commented that, "The fundamentals of the economy are strong." 

Huh?! What?!

Exactly. Completely out of touch with the American people, and totally in-touch with the occupation of oppression.

Click here to view original slave document.

2008 LA

SOJOURNER TRUTH (1797-1883)

Born into slavery with no formal education Sojourner Truth, was a strong feminist who became an itinerant preacher. Truth stated that "God commanded her to become a preacher."

In 1851, at a women's rights conference in Akron, Ohio, Sojourner Truth strongly attacked the hypocrisies of organized religion, white privilege, and oppression in her famous speech "Ain't I a Woman?" 


Sojourner Truth gave a voice to the voiceless while standing up for the rights of an oppressed people. Thank you Ms. Truth for your self-less efforts.

In the words of Sojourner Truth from her "Ain't I a Woman" speech:

"Well, children, where there is so much racket there must be something out of kilter. I think that 'twixt the negroes of the South and the women at the North, all talking about rights, the white men will be in a fix pretty soon. But what's all this here talking about?

That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man - when I could get it - and bear the lash as well! And ain't I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?

Then they talk about this thing in the head; what's this they call it? [member of audience whispers, "intellect"] That's it, honey. What's that got to do with women's rights or negroes' rights? If my cup won't hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart, wouldn't you be mean not to let me have my little half measure full?

Then that little man in black there, he says women can't have as much rights as men, 'cause Christ wasn't a woman! Where did your Christ come from? Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him.

If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back, and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it, the men better let them.

Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner ain't got nothing more to say."

2008 LA