this post was submitted on 02 Jul 2023
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The state of California is considering giving the descendants of slaves $1.2m each.

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

I am sure it's very well intentioned, but it's not well thought out. That will fix nothing and only take away from people who need the help that money can provide now.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

But how precisely did this happen? What agency was responsible and how was it... Acted upon? I'm trying to imagine this as a city worker, like was there a responsible crew for doing this? Who gave the initial order for it?

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago

how precisely did this happen

Systemic racism.

When some people aren't considered people at all, socially nor legally, this kind of violence isn't really that big of a leap for many to make (still today, but especially when it was the social and cultural norm).

And this is just a single example out of probably millions in the same vein (here is one list of many with some of the more extreme examples, and only from the US, but the more you dig, the more you find).

Remember - white supremacy isn't the shark, it's the water, and we are absolutely not rid of the systems that allowed that kind of thing to happen then, and still allow it today. Hell people are still burning crosses in their Black neighbours' yards (or shooting them through a closed door), not to mention the systemic aspects like cops killing and abusing Black people without any repercussions, or the prison industrial complex which is essentially modern day slavery.

This is why it's so important to learn actual history, and not just the whitewashed version approved by those with all the power looking to maintain the status quo.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I know that seems like a lot of money (and keep in mind there has been zero apology, so no actual accountability, just an attempt at hush money), and I wouldn't blame anyone for taking it, but I doubt it comes even close to the true value of the land and property destroyed and repurposed, never mind the pain, suffering, loss of life, and generational trauma and disadvantage that the survivors and their decedents have had to endure.

It's better than nothing, but still pretty pathetic all things considered.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Also, nothing in the article says the money wouldn't be taxable income for the recipients so I guarantee they'll get screwed with taxes by both the federal and state government come tax time.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

That sadly wouldn't surprise me one bit..

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I don’t think it is the place of the government to give the money, it should be traced back to who profited from the Slaves and than the Families and Businesses should be the ones paying the money. IF the Government did profit from them they should pay their share as well, but it should not be tax payer dollars only.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Yes... So did anyone go to jail? Who ended buying these lots for the new "market" price?

Shouldn't they pay?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

....it should be traced back to who profited from the Slaves...

Insert They're_the_Same_Picture.jpg

The idea that the government, especially that of a country built on genocide and the backs of slaves (and kept their decedents segregated, marginalised, and persecuted for centuries after they were no longer seen as property), might somehow not be connected to, or profited from, never mind actively created the circumstances for and encouraged such events is the most ridiculous (or wilfully ignorant) thing I've read all week (and I've read about twitter DDoSing itself).

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

So let's make current wage slaves pay for it?

How is that justice? Or y'all just looking to milk these poor oppressed people to pay other poor oppressed people while people who profited keep their ill gotten gains...

Note how governments are all in debt, while daddy oligarchy is doing quite well...

Ain't it grand?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I don’t think I object to giving them money.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

You don’t object to what, precisely?

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I assume they support giving them money and didn't consider that it could sound like they support the burning down.

Or they're an asshole.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Whoops, correct.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

So let me get this straight... Some private sector clowns get all the benefits but now the current wage slaves have to pay for it...

How about people who got economic benefit pay for it?

Just a thought

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