Reparations

Proposal for Reparations...
Teresa Burk

Due to the fact that many African-Americans cannot trace their genealogy back

more than three generations, It would be extremely difficult to distinguish

between those who are descended from Freemen and those descended from

Slaves. Therefore, although it should have some impact on reparations, we

must take into account those who cannot trace their genealogy( approximately

3/4th of African-Americans). We also must remember that in essence, no African-

Americans were completely free. Many blacks, Freeman and Slaves alike were

lynched, falsely imprisoned, raped, murdered, and subject to sub-human

treatment. It is almost impossible to estimate the economic hardship caused by

slavery and the aftermath that followed. To this day the African-American family

still suffers from the aftermath of slavery. We see it in the form of Poverty, under-

education, Discrimination, and Black on Black crime. Consider that Blacks are

seriously under-represented in many of our nations top fields. Less than .05

percent of African-Americans are CEO's in corporate America. Blacks are also a

rarity in Law, Medicine, and higher education, What follows is my estimation of

the reparations needed.

1st generation descendant of slave: 500,000 of Freeman: 350,000

2nd generation descendant of slave: 350,000 of Freeman: 225,000

3rd generation descendant of slave: 225,000 of Freeman: 180,000

4th generation descendant of slave : 180,000 of Freeman: 120,000

5th generation descendant of slave: 120,000 of Freeman: 90,000

6th generation descendant of slave: 90,000 of Freeman: 60,000

7th generation descendant of slave: 60,000 of Freeman: 30,000

Additional Moneys.

Family member lynched: 60,000 per family

Family member raped by slave master: 20,000

Family member falsely imprisoned: 6,000

It is important to note that in the event that it cannot be determined whether a

family descended from Freemen or Slaves, an average should be taken from the

two. Also, in the event that a generation has no living survivors, that money shall

not be awarded and is not subject to inheritance. As for Moneys for family

menders lynched, raped, or falsely imprisoned, this must be a direct result of

slavery and most be proven beyond a preponderance of the evidence.

Therefore, each state shall appoint a committee of six members, at least three

of them being African-Americans. These committees will be responsible for

investigating all claims on an individual basis and awarding money. If, for

example, a member of the 3rd generation starts a claim and dies before the

moneys are awarded than that money shall be subject to inheritance. The

committee will have a period of five years to investigate and award all moneys.

In the event that a family wants to appeal their award or lack there of, their

claims shall be directed to the State supreme court. The court will have three

years to render decisions on all claims.

In order to ensure the financial stability of the United States, these payments

shall be made over a period of 15 yrs. However, in the case of persons who

have been awarded moneys and are over the age of 55, they will have the

option of taking a discounted lump sum of 40% of the moneys owed.