And I think many people don't understand the full issue. Yes, an apology is owed, and I'll be the first to make it. I have no idea if my family owned slaves, but I don't think so. And the American Government should apologize. I mean, how hard is it?

Second, the 40 acres and a mule. Freed blacks were promised it, as granted as a field order by General Sherman. Andrew Johnson revoked it, and seized the land back. Blacks merely want reparations for that, and it's understandable. We give back land to the Native Americans, the Jewish are receiving money from the Germans and Swiss. Just fair compensation for what was given, and then seized back.

And the government would not be cutting every African American slave descendant a check. Instead, a commitee (probably the one heading up the reparations legislations) will hold the money in a trust, and claims will be made toward it. The idea has merit. And as long as it's carried out well, it should work fine.

http://usaweekend.com/02_issues/0208...parations.html