, Research Paper
Proposal for Reparations of African Americans
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
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.