I have purposely waited to respond to any critiques, criticisms, and comments in order to gage where people are on this issue.

As for reparations to black Americans, most people simply do not understand, know, or even wish to understand or know what the whole idea means now, today, or what it has meant since the moment chattel slavery officially ended until now. Most also have little understanding that black people have been demanding reparations from 1866 until today.

There are libraries full of studies and books on this question that, again, most people simply are not inclined to read and try to understand what reparations would, could, and should look like.

There is not enough space or time to list all of this material; but there is one rather recent book that for those who really wish to understand the plight of black people; for those who deny that such a thing is even possible (or necessary)....please see "When Affirmative Action Was White -- The Untold History of Racial Inequality in Twentieth Century America," by Ira Katznelson, published in 2005.

And...for a more recent and powerful exposition of this matter, see Ta Nahesi Coates' remarkable Atlantic Magazine essay.

These two works answer all questions on the feasibility, necessity, and actual methods and means for making black folk whole in this country.

Whatever your position may be, thanks to everyone for reading/responding.

HD

Chicago