Introduction
Slavery, racial segregation, and discrimination are critical topics in American society as the effects of these events are noticeable in the modern world. Black Americans, despite legislative equality, more often than white citizens experience poverty and limited opportunities, which is an effect of artificially created unequal conditions in the past. Ta-Nehisi Coates, in his essay The Case for Reparations, examines the consequences of slavery and segregation in the United States and argues the importance of reparations for black Americans, both in a financial and moral perspective.
The Policies and Practices That the Author Uses in His Essay
Coates examines the problem of racial injustice of the past to prove the unfairness of the government’s attitude towards its citizens and to link this trend with the current situation in American society. His arguments are based on real stories and discriminatory policies that had been existing for centuries. The author demonstrates the story of a regular black American, Ross, to explain the arguments for reparations. Coates talks about Ross’s life in Mississippi, where his parents were forced to give up their farm and continue to work for the state government, fearing for their life and health (par.6). Then he studies scams with the sale of houses in Chicago when white owners profiteered on black Americans several dozen times. Black Americans were cut off from the possibility of obtaining a mortgage at the bank because the FHA identified available for them areas as a category that does not fall under the conditions of leases (Coates par.22). Therefore, the government formed black ghettos by creating conditions for speculation, since black people had to overpay to white owners for an opportunity to get a house.
The Main Kinds of Reparations
The author argues the need for financial reparations in his essay but also focuses on justice by saying that all cases should be documented and recognized by society. This step not only helps to create precedents and reduce the gap between racial groups but will teach people of history. Such a move is also logical and right for the morale of society as the segregation is a clear demonstration of the violation of all seven principles of Catholic social teaching. The very concept of slavery violated the idea of human dignity, and the slave trade undermined the institution of the family, since the masters often separated relatives by selling only one of them. For centuries, unfair laws violated the principle of protecting the rights and dignity of work, since black people were just a tool for making money even after the abolition of slavery. Ignoring the problems of black citizens and refusing to pay reparations now violate the principles of caring for God’s creation, helping the vulnerable, and solidarity. Thus, reparations are the right decision for Americans who want to live in a democratic and fair society.
The Main Arguments for Reparation
The author considers as the main reasons for the reparations, both elimination of the consequences of inequality and the fact of admitting guilt for the damage caused to people. Coates concludes that the situation has not changed much since the 1970s by analyzing the income gap of citizens and other social indicators (par.39). This problem exists due to the created unequal conditions and opportunities in which many black people have not been able to improve their lives. For this reason, reparations have to help needy citizens as they can use the money for treatment, education, or moving from the ghetto. The fact of a guilty plea is also an important reason, since it helps to reduce existing discrimination and to develop real democracy in the country. Black Americans will be able to receive moral satisfaction for the fact that today they are equal with other citizens, and the years of their suffering will at least partially justify themselves. Besides, such a demonstration of respect and understanding of the horrors of discrimination contributes to the fact that such a situation will not be repeated with any other resident of the United States.
What the Government and Society Should Do
The author also considers the bill already proposed by the congressman and believes that new law is the right step towards solving the problem. Although there is still no law regulating the procedure for considering and paying reparations, there are already some precedents when lawsuits were settled in favor of black Americans. Thereby, the government needs to develop a bill in which the reasons, procedures for considering the case, and the sources of paying reparations will be identified precisely. Besides, it is necessary to convey to the public the need for such a law and explain the reasons for its creation to teach Americans history. These steps contribute to reducing financial and social inequalities among the population.
Conclusion
Therefore, The Case for Reparations by Ta-Nehisi Coates is a work that reveals the consequences of racial injustice in American society from a legal and moral point of view. The author explains the reasons and demonstrates that reparations are a way to fix these consequences and improve the lives of US citizens. Besides, a society that learns from the mistakes of the past and exists according to the principles of morality has a much higher chance of a brighter future.
References
Coates, Ta-Nehisi. “The Case for Reparations.” The Atlantic, 2014. Web.