SLAVES: An urban reality

There is a growing movement, spearheaded by the politically correct agenda, suggesting that descendants of slaves should receive restitution for the actions of some of our white ancestors. Is this issue going to be added to the Democratic platform to obtain the rest of the black vote? Black Americans have been played like a fiddle. In effect, they are being held as slaves by the Democratic Party. Over the last few decades, billions of federal dollars have been poured into large cities to keep the communities afloat. The golden goose, however, is losing its ability to lay eggs. Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland and other liberal Democratic strongholds are going broke and the rest of us are expected to bail them out. Jimmy Carter is not considered to be one of our better presidents; however, he knew that pouring more money into large city coffers would compound city problems and draw more black and indigent white people to the blighted areas.

The descendants of slaves would do well to remember that they are far better off than relatives of those of their ancestors who were left behind in Africa. My great-great paternal grandmother was a full blooded Cherokee. Fortunately she married my Scotch Irish ancestor. Her sister was a member of the “Trail of Tears” tribal relocation to Oklahoma. I am 1/16th Cherokee; do I line up for the dole?

We don’t need another guilt trip laid on white America. If the politically correct community believes that blacks should receive restitution, let them put their own private money into a restitution fund. Millions of hardworking black American families are rightfully proud that they were freed from slavery. They have worked hard to support and educate their families. Most want respect and employment, not welfare. They don’t want, or need, federal government restitution for past offenses.

LEONARD BRANT

Post Falls