The Case for Reparations

Sample Solution

    Coates' argument for reparations as expressed in his recent article in the Atlantic is one worth considering. He argues that African Americans have been "inheriting a society rigged against them" since their ancestors were robbed of both labor and life during the era of slavery, and that this history has affected generations of African Americans ever since.

Coates suggests that a way to address this historical injustice would be through reparations, or payments made to individuals or communities who suffered an injury caused by another party’s wrongful acts. This could come in the form of financial compensation, public apologies, changes to laws or policy, educational opportunities, and more. I agree with Coates' argument regarding reparations because it acknowledges the fact that systemic racism still pervades our society today. Even though slavery was abolished over 150 years ago, its effects can still be seen throughout many aspects of life today - from wealth inequality between white and Black families to unjust police practices like stop-and-frisk - which further perpetuates racial disparities across major institutions such as education and criminal justice within our nation. Furthermore, even though some progress has been made towards racial equality over the years (i.e., civil rights legislation), much work needs to be done in order for there to truly be equity among all citizens regardless of race. In addition to addressing systemic racism through reparations, I believe it is equally important for us to also recognize how deeply entrenched privilege has become within our society which allows white people access to resources and power far beyond what any non-white individual could ever imagine having access too; this includes things like housing choices up until college admissions processes – something black individuals are rarely given equal opportunity towards achieving success within these areas due largely in part because they are consistently denied access due solely on skin color alone before even being considered based on merit which continues generation after generation unless there is real change from higher powers such as government interventionism or policymaking changes at local levels per municipality/city/county etc . Additionally without recognition of how unfairness & privledge works hand-in