Do you feel the United States can come to a place of truth and reconciliation about the history and legacy of slavery, and if so, how? What’s standing in the way?

Do you feel the United States can come to a place of truth and reconciliation about the history and legacy of slavery, and if so, how? What’s standing in the way?

I am unsure about this. I think the biggest thing that stands in the way is the metahor of the ladder as people struggle for power. It seems to be a factor of nature, even present in the non-human world, that those on the bottom are always striving to move up and those on the top are actively pushing down others in order to maintain their position. For all of this country’s history, the white people have been the ones on the top and even those whites who are not on the very top often see themselves as on a higher rung than blacks or other people of color. I think this is aptly portrayed by Ibram Kendi’s section on progress and by the facts regarding blacks with higher incomes still do not attain the living conditions enjoyed by whites with similar incomes.

I don't know if I will see it in my lifetime. I fully believe that as long as money rules us, the rich ruling the rest of us that no change will occur. People in power need to have minions. People of color & the poor population fit that role. As long as those with power can hold others back, they will rule.

You seem to be asking, like the author, what raparation looks like. Just as I believe that money will not bring back the victims of gun violence, I don't believe money will erase the horrors experienced by Black Americans. I think we need to do more to equalize education, employment, housing and salaries. We need to explore levels of encarceration. I do not support raparations for third and fourth generation black people - nor holocaust suvivors' families, etc.

We know the truth. But there are too many people who refuse to believe it, or simply belittle it, or really don't care what was done to people. While money can't cure all ills, it would certainly go far in helping African Americans who are economically disadvantaged because their ancestors were denied the ability and opportunity to build wealth. I am not opposed to some sort of reparations.

Maybe I am just old and cynical, but I don't think so. Money rules and I haven't seen any progress in "racial equality" since the 60's. Protests such as BLM might bring the issue forward for a time, but it goes away because none of the people who have the power to make change, care to do so. I remember the Watts riots in California after the Rodney King issue and nothing much has changed since then. The police departments haven't really changed, incentives, pay?? And don't get me started on the current politicians, black and white.

I am not optimistic that the US will ever reconcile its history of slavery. The banning of books, challenging curriculum, eliminating affirmative action, and protesting DEI programs are all indicators for my pessimism.