Sekou Sundiata - Def Poetry

Reparations should be paid to every individual who was ever held in involuntary servitude and subsequently freed by the 13th amendment to the Constitution of the United States by every individual who ever held another in such servitude. It is a great tragedy that slave ships ever touched this continent. Our country would be so much better off and at peace with itself if slavery had never been allowed to pollute our nation. Anyone out there care to take a stab at the origin of the word "slave"?

one year later...LOVE IT

Great poem!! Very inspirational. RIP Sekou Sundiata.

So how do you justify punishing people who have never done you any wrong? I would really like to hear your theory on that. I mean my crime is being born? Nevermind that I am 1/4 American Indian. Nevermind my European ancestors came here after slavery was illegal, and were fleeing starvation. They were hardly wealthy.

Please help me understand how taking assets by force from people who are innocent is moral, or correct. Convince me with logic.

Here's the deal. I'm not a fan of reparations, even though I'm black. As far as being punished for something you didn't do...why did 2 young men in Mobile ALA yell "Go home nigger!" to me when I've done nothing to them? Why am I discriminated against by employers, lenders, and potential land lords even though they no nothing about me, and I have great credit? This country, like most, is built on the past. Sometimes you have to suffer for the sins of those who have come before you.

biggdaddie72 - Sorry it took me so long to respond. "why did 2 young men" What those men did was reprehensible. Criminal?

"why am I discriminated against" I was discriminated against in college/medical school. Held to a higher standard for admission, less financial aid available...

"you have to suffer for the sins of those who have come before you." Sorry. That is called punishing the innocent, and is evil by definition.

You are seeking revenge, not justice. Pathetic.

now try saying that to the victims of the jewish holocaust. You wouldnt dare.

Simple:

The wealth of this nation was ill-gotten at the expense of natives, slaves, and nations the military of the USA subjugated and slaughtered.

Those who benefit, rich or not-so, still benefit at the expense of that which was taken. stolen, pillaged.

People WORKED, for centuries, were kidnapped, slaughtered, for the wealth of the USA to be had. That is a debt unpaid.

Pay it back, with interest, per the credo of commerce.

Bring on the reparations.

If this is ur story then clearly hes not talkin to u so dont take it so personally. plus reparations r not gonna happin in any form except a apology neway. There r 2 many people of color in this country who have been affected by colonialisim, slavery, & jim crow to try to give us all a check and to be completely honest most of dont want it neway no amount of money can wash blood of hands, take scars of backs, or loose mental chains so my 1/4 american indian brother or sister jus calm down.

interesting question... As an Afrikan i could ask exactly the same question.

how do you justify the suffering that Afrikan descendents have to live with because of 'inherited slavery'? less so than i but many black people still bear the brunt of systems - though abolished and outlawed - still put Afrikan people at a disadvantage.

I'd suggest you watch a documentary calld 500 YEARS LATER - it put my doubts about reparations to bed