Reparations would hurt blacks in the country

By: Collins Ezeanyim

Posted: 4/13/04

Advances in DNA technology have improved the ability to link crimes to suspects. Recently, DNA has been used by misguided activists seeking reparations for American slavery. But these people, who waste so much energy futilely pursuing something they will never have, would do better to channel their resources on issues that truly affect the black community.

On March 29, descendants of slaves filed a $1 billion lawsuit against American and British corporations in federal court in Manhattan, according to an Associated Press story. The corporations include Lloyd's of London, FleetBoston and R.J. Reynolds. What makes this lawsuit intriguing and, frankly, somewhat disturbing is that the eight plaintiffs have used DNA technology to link themselves to blacks who brutally suffered due to the American slave trade.

All Americans recognize slavery as a permanent stain on American history. It was a disgusting, dehumanizing institution that undermined the United States' foundation as a free and democratic republic.

But unfortunately, no living slave is available to collect the restitution that he has rightfully earned. It would be acceptable if the children of the released slaves were served reparations. The plaintiffs of this lawsuit are too far removed to morally collect any money relating to the slave trade.

It is obvious that reparations activists do not only seek to gain financially, but they wish to punish someone for the past horrors caused by American slavery. The stories of how American slaves were treated would certainly make almost anyone want to lash out. Unfortunately, in the same way the victims of slavery are gone, the perpetrators of those hideous acts are also no longer around.

If the reparations activists truly wanted to do something positive, instead of suing companies that have profited from slavery in the past, they could work with these corporations to invest in inner-city neighborhoods and to support diversity-building policies such as affirmative action.

One of the plaintiffs is Deadria Farmer-Paellmann, a name many who follow the activities of reparations activists will recognize. A couple of years ago, Farmer-Paellmann made headlines when she was the only named plaintiff in a reparations lawsuit against Aetna, an insurer, the railroad CSX and FleetBoston, a financial services firm. In the latest lawsuit, Farmer-Paellmann is identified as a descendant of the Mende tribe in Sierra Leone. DNA evidence has also linked other plaintiffs to tribes in Niger and Gambia, according to the Farmer-Paellmann may be an intelligent woman, but it is an awful shame she isn't using her abilities to achieve good.

All reparations activists should direct their energies to problems that affect the black community. For example, the National Urban League recently released a report, "The State of Black America 2004," which concluded that the "Equality Index," or "the statistical measurement of the disparities that exist between blacks and whites in economics, housing, education, health, social justice and civic engagement," revealed that the status of black Americans is 73 percent lower than their white counterparts.

This is an issue that needs to be dealt with immediately, but it cannot be addressed through reparations activism. The attitudes of black Americans must be talked about seriously. Black and white relations must also be examined, and reconciliation must be advocated. But pursuing financial redress for slavery will only create divisions in a country that is
increasingly becoming more accepting of its racial differences.

Farmer-Paellmann and the other reparation plaintiffs have a choice. They can leave a legacy of bettering the lives of black Americans, or they can be seen as greedy opportunists who profited from the sweat and blood of their distant ancestors.