Someday We Shall Overcome - But Not Today

i am working from home part-time with my own internet business. if we want reparations, we should be asking for low start-up costs to start our own small businesses. as we create our income there is no limit to the amount we can earn. getting anything from the government would always require us citizens to pay in one form or another. the two sites that i work with are thisbiznow.com and quixtar. there are many people working from home in their own businesses and creating as little or as much income as they want.

I agree that there are small business opportunities abound. But I propose that we need to stop asking for equality and start taking our own equality in courtrooms throughout this great nation! If you got (are still getting) paid from the business of slavery...look out cause we are coming to open the books and redistribute the paper. I don't see it as personal...this is how business works...more logic...less emotion.

I agree with the comment that Stephen made about receiving start up cost to create our own businesses and build our communities with these businesses. The main focus should be to be able to create our businesses as opposed to supporting the one's that profited from the labor of our ancestors.

Where do you suggest the start up money come from?

Brothers,

I agree with you all. That's why I suggest we learn the system. As well, we find out how the money was/is made as a result of the free labor. We can't put an amount on oppression...but we can take a share of what was made from the oppressed.

Please know that companies are still making money from the free labot they got off the backs of African American slaves!

I suggest we start by taking class action lawsuits against these billion dollar companies (specific wealthy families). Stop asking...start forcing...

Maybe in the eyes of the power at be, affirmative action was a form of restoration. Its time that we build our own business organizations as a people, while remaining a part of main stream society. To those who have a fairly decent chance at succeeding, access to capital should be available. Give a man a fish, he eats for a day.....teach him how to fish, and he can provide for himself. Generally, power isn't something that is handed to you. There is a larger picture. Please visit my website www.ministerbullard.org Play video number 4. It discusses power. It could change you forever.

Larry Bullard
Minister/Businessman

My brother,

I agree that many non-African Americans view Affirmative Action as a form of reparations. My suggestion seems to mirror your comment in that I propose ...know the rules...follow the rules. The courts have a duty to hear cases involving business loss/damages. I hope we can someday remove the emotion and use logic to address the growing economic divide between different ethnic groups in America: descedents of the former slave owner v. descedents of the former slave.

P.S. Please list the comments from the video you'd like us to discuss. Many of us have reservation about paying for religion sermons over the internet. I hope you understand.

Irma,

That is a great question.

I propose we conduct real/ meaningful research to find out, which banks made profit from interest on loans for slave labor. If it can be proven to be true...we file class action lawsuits for our portion of the billions in profit that have been made over the past x-number of years.

There is no way to separate descendants of freed slaves from those who were descended from slaves. How do you claim Negro male, 6' tall 150 lbs. strong build from joe smith? WHen Shakespeare asked what's in a name i am sure he was not referring to slaves. How about tax exemptions? For whom? Prove you were descended from a slave, i dare you. How much would it cost? Too much. I who cannot prove slave ancestry will be paying you who can. You will be paying yourself. Even the tax exemption comes from someone's pocket. Give it up folks and talk reality. Accept the apology and keep on fighting for affirmative action. We cannot recoup our losses now but we can provide for our children what was taken from our ancestors. The japanese interned during WWII were compensated for the loss of property. They could prove what was taken and the government kept records. THe Native Americans were herded onto arid desolate reservations and treated like captives. The land they wandered freely was snatched from under their feet. WHerever they settled, if the white man wanted it, he took it by force if necessary. A way of life and a culture were destroyed with the diseases of white men and their vices. If you think Native Americans were treated well, read up on it and tell me where is the Bureau of White Peoples Affairs. Where is their reservation. Where is the Bureau of Black Peoples Affairs. Who is micromanaging your life? Many reservations do not have adequate water and electricity. Talk about reparations!

Give unto to Ceasar what is his, and give unto Yael what is His--the hung Christ on the cross and he was Broke when they did--He had no known assets--they even took his clothes from Him--yet he turned to the Thief and Said, you only need to believe in me and my Kingdom and I'll take you to enteral glory--Reparations--I say let them have it all we need to do is seek the Kingdom--and God got us--

Anna,

It is not a difficult as you might think to find out whether you are a descendent of slave or free black. The USA (most cities, towns) have very detailed records of births, marriage, and property ownership. In one day (actually about 3 hrs) I was able to find my hertigage back almost 200yrs.

But I would agree that we need to find out who we are and how the system works. I'm not sure that I'm against federal reparations just yet.

I am for immediate lawsuits for loss and damages. We can prove that properties were taken and profits made (continue to be made) from specific losses.

Just like the Japanese...we have strong cases for correcting past wrongs...if that is the route we wish to take: http://library.thinkquest.org/trio/TTQ0416...

John,

I love you brother...but 400 years of that type conversation is enough! One definition of clinical insanity is to do the same thing over and over and expect difernt results. I agree that we must have faith...but faith without works (action) is a lost cause. Maybe God is waiting for us to get off of our knees.

Considering the fact that Jews, Native Americans and even Japanese have all received some sort of compensation for the atrocities inflicted upon them you would think that the sons and daughters of American slaves would certainly be entitled to some compensation as well. We will never get though and you know why? BECAUSE WE HAVE NO CONNECTION WHATSOEVER WITH OUR ANCESTORS AND AS SUCH WHITE AMERICA IS VERY HAPPY THAT WE HAVE CHOSEN TO ACCEPT THE GAME PLAN AND JUST BE HAPPY TO BE ACCEPTED AS PART OF AMERICA. Suckers, that's what we are. Idiotic, European loving, assimilating, consumer driven suckers.

Ditto...we have got to start learning and thinking. Just by allowing yourself all Blacks t be called Black and all Whites to be called White...we fall into a well planned trap.

We have to get out of the Sucker mentality! Think for yourself...

ok.. to answer some of the questions about reparations....and who got what from whom... let's start with the Japanese that were interred in California during WWII
http://www.democracynow.org/1999/2/18/wwii... <<<---- this link will detail how much was given in reparations...
now, when President Clinton first brought up the subject in the nineties... a few companines 'fessed up and admitted they made bucks off of the slave trade and apologized, I say they should do something more signifigant... like offer a discount in goods and services.... like healthCare frm Aetba insurance...!
Here's a link to a story lisiting some big financial names that grew big from slavery...http://www.sptimes.com/2002/04/14/news_pf/Columns/Putting_a_price_on_co.shtml
Persnally, I believe that we should, collectively have preffered rates for goods and services from these companies...
Now as far as the Native Americans are concnered... they are receving reparations in the form of land, and casino ownership beccause of the laws concerning the treaties sighned back 200 and 300 years ago are being enforced and I say more power to them!

A dear friend of mine has written a book on how the North's, specifically New York's, participation in the slave trade built some of this nation's leading Fortune 500 companies. If there are reparations to be paid, there certainly is evidence of how business as well as government profited from slavery without paying those who built a fortune for others. I've seen lawsuits built on much less. Oh, if you want to check out the book, you can find it here: http://www.sunypress.edu/details.asp?id=61...

I think your blog on reparation is all good, but say if all the suing and getting back money from salvery to give back to the black people were valid then whose going to enforce this law and whose going to make it possible. I think the american people , plus the government would just blow it off, because to them it doesn't matter. you see they were'nt the victims. LadyFaye

Hey! HOT TOPIC!!
1. African Americans work
2. Anglos get up in my face with the reparations that they are taking advantage of insinuating that they are blessing me out of my ops at reparations...a twisted jealousy, hate, envy thang???

Point: Brother Glover says that if we do not work for the money who will be contributing to funds labeled as reparations?
Point: How do groups earn, qualify for, spend funds (gotten) from reparations?
Point: If "we" find reason to sue then yes...do it in court systems. How many of our people have been slandered, blackmailed, hurt and just down right pitied because of the ignorance associated with recieving reparations instead of being thought of as hard workers who get on one's own? So many times it isn't about what I am doing its all about what others are doing as they focus on their own households. In other words what does ones thinking look like that helps in attributing industrialism and success to a cornicopia of people that includes the American Indian, The African American and all other migrants to U.S. shores including the Anglo Saxon???

If you need help in writing, research and other tasks associated with scientific research...let me know. I love doing things that bear the marks of attention to plagerism, fidelity and degreed programming. Informal and formally taught. Euroclydon. 8/17/08

Dr. Glover, there are many great comments here. I thank you for your blog and the knowledge you present in aspiring and endeavoring to do.
3 scriptures come to my mind, Proverbs 13:23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgement".
Time is the great equalizer as described in Ecclesiastes 9:11 and Deuteronomy 8:18 "But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is He that giveth thee (place your name) power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He sware unto thy (place your name) fathers (count slaves...), as it is this day ( 18 Aug 08) or (18/8/08).
Now if the devil is the prince of the earth and air (no diseases live in outer space), then we have to go above for it to work here.
Just added in my 2cents.
Take care.
Sincerest
William

From experience in dealing with Federal funding and in onlyregards to the medical aspect of federal funding......There is funding for African Americans that are used your cities, counties and state government that are received based on Medical Morbidity statistics. The statistics states that we are 1,2 and 3 or in the top 3 or 4 in HIV/AIDS, STD, Heart Disease, CVA, Strokes, teenage pregancies and other diseases, or whatever the case may be. Your state is receiving funds that are targeted for such community based issues. If those funds are not used appropiately within the community, then they will use them for other studies and research outside the African American communities. There are so many funds, reparations and other resources that African Americans are missing out on and are not made known to the community. This is no surprise that funds for reparations are hard to find, and the source from whence they came are not accessible.
The otherside of my view is that there are some things we as a people need to move on from. We spend alot of time concentrating of things in the past and based on the history of our people receiving anything that is freely initiated from the government has not been one for us to truly rely on. Therefore, we need to empower ourselves to patron African American businesses, created business such as technology and science, start building our own high rise, commercial and residential real estate and other innovatative ideas that would captivate African Americans to think on our own.

/*
I mostly agree with all of you. Monetary distribution is not going to happen, the land rights (without proof) will not happen, the apology...hmmn...in writiing and posted and procticed aroung the world..or at least where it concerns all of the "slave Traders" accepted...I think NOT!
I have espoused free eduction to all who desire to attend and achieve, no taxes (but who pays the missing money?) for the next 200 years, and free housing. I read an article from "FinalCall.com" about what "Mr. Russell Means, a Native American (Indian) and his people have done to "Secede from the U.S." I will post it asap for all to read. I'm currently working on a new blog that deals with an issue within this topics' criteria, it will also be posted soon. Some of the "Legalities will enlighten us to some answers concerning reparations. I also agree to a law suit, however, they (the slavery perps and their cohorts) have done a very good job in keeping us from the origiins(s) of whence we came. They have done a very good job at keeping everyone and anyone pertinent to equlaity and human rights the necessary knowledge that leads to the proof needed to file suit, i.e., it was illegal to teach Black People and People of color to read and write (keepiing us ignorant). If you did, you sufferd the "COONsequences" of being shot and/or Lynched... or worse...
Yeah, we are rightfully overdue reparations. Many of the other ethnic groups who suffered U.S cruelty had the one thing that we (Black Folk) did not...The Language, The Name, The Written Proof! I say start from the first of the slave traders, THE SHIIPPING RECORDS - BILLS OF LADEN, etc....whatever their names...distribute half of their wealth (if not all) amongst all of our people ragardless of name...begining with the poorest of us. I espouse most of all...FREE COLLEGE EDUCATION, ANY DEGREE LEVEL and let us do what it takes to prosper! Will they comply? I doubt it! They who attempted to destroy us will always hate us and find new ways to do so, i.e., CREDIT!

Greg.
http://www.BoulwareEnterprises.com
*/

That is not bad find out who made money from slavery and then sue for repayment. I would let the Federal Goverment take the legal route in return we the people of color would be exempt from taxes or be allow to attend a state school free.

why do we even care if we are given anything? isn't freedom enough? After 400 years we're still begging for reparations, jobs, respect; don't you think it is time to seperate from our enemy? He will always be our enemy because it is embedded in their hearts that they are gods and we are nothing. We don't need white man approval, we just need freedom.

Dwight,

I take it from your reply that you didn't take the time to read the post or any of the thread discussions. You just decided to rant based on what you thought I said...sad! When you get a chance, please READ the comments and then reply.

that is exactly it no taxation for blacks that can proove themselve to be black, if we don't do that everybody will sceem thier way into it. if they gave us money we will just give it back. but no taxes whatso ever for blacks for all the years of slavery. and to not change the rules nid stream like they always do. I am shocked and pleased that this seams to be something that manyare looking at the same way. you get an at a boy for that Doc!

Have some of you forgotten the mentality of a lot of black people? Have you forgotten about Big D, Moniqua, Mama Ray and the like who don't care about no one but themselves? And you're talking about reparations coming in the form of class action suites. I'm sorry, I can't help but laugh. How would you suppose to get the ignorant black folks who will be looking out for numero uno to go along with that? How would you stop them from messing it up for all black people? It's a novel idea, just not realistic.

Hmmm...there are simpler solutions.

Dr. Glover, it has been years now since I was in college, but I would like to bring this up of what I learned about tracing money for/from the slave trade.

There is a sort of fort(off the shores of one african country) in Africa where Africans were held to be brought to South America to get the "violent" resistance out of of their loss of freedoms and then be brought to North America. It is my understanding from one of my African-American class that some the orignal backers' financings profits interests have been traced to today what is Bank of America. Have you heard any thing like this before?

The Japanese: could not be classed as 'citizens', I believed a law past in the 20s? Property prices goes up not down...a house does not earn as much as a say as store, afruit trees of 100rds of 1000s of acreas? Harm: physican and mental for being help against one's will?Physical and mental abuse so to racism????!!!??Or, because these peoples are Buddhist and not Christians? We all know this drill!

Now what was that talk about the Japanese were "PAID"?????But, they were the most decorated ethnic groups in WWII defending the U.S.A. Did you know this?????

Africans were considered Property...Now what about this suing over property? Please my people T-H-I-N-K_I-N-G can lead to wisdom or just using common sense. Research, study ,use objective conclusions over emotional then start a law suit. If nothing else may be we can get a few answers about were we property or God's children in this Christian land? I sure could help some of our talks on this site. What do you think?

...and, as far as Affirmative Action, I for one am glad that it is now illegal in my state of Ca. Why, well I had a chance to see the "orignal" Affirmative Action. It did not make the White female the 'minority' for one thing. It did not have people believing that colleges were keep ing flunking 'every class' students because of the color of their skin.

If a poor person wants to send their children to college then stop complaining and go look at the programs provide for POOR under privlege students. Actually in a way only the poor can afford to go to colleg today. T-H-I-N-K.....do domething like take actions and do something for your own self.....I did it and so can you.

One example, here in Ca. if you want to be a school teacher and are willing to go work in certain places your education is free. There are religious colleges here where all you have to pay is for your rent and food...do some research/self help....please.

Oh, and as nothing is FREE when you go to college(and finish it) you pay more taxes and more tax money on a more regular basesyear in and year out all year around. I had a friend who just retired this year. He died a few days ago. Now where do you think all of that money he paid out for retirement for almost 50 years goes now? How much interest has that money been getting all of those years???/

Our best bet is to go protest against the war before China call in America's debt. I live in a very small town. Because of the loss of homes, there are not enough small children to fill up the schools(taxes alread paid) so two of the schools have closed. Now some of these children's parent is off in Iraq, Iran! they pay taxes.Beale Air force Base is here where all of the major spy planes are based.

example, you have probable heard about our governor and not wanting to pay the State workers because there is not budget. What is left off at CNN is how can you make a budget when you get bills last week wanting almost$11 billion more this week than a few days ago. Just a little about TAXES and where you get them from as tax covers many many things,.Most of it is just politics as usual to keep us from doing, what? thinking, huh?

My lecture is over, I have vented enough, good noght and good luck.