- Question
Should there be reparations for slavery?
More than 150 years since the end of slavery, racial inequality is still evident in the United States. Black Americans have an average household wealth just a tenth of white families, face housing and banking discrimination, and higher policing. Reparations for slavery is either a path towards equality or a path to further division.
No, there should not be reparations for slavery
This position holds that there should not be reparations for slavery. Its arguments contend that reparations would be logistically impractical to administer, prohibitively costly, and divisive — and that singling out recipients by race amounts to a racist policy in itself.
Yes, we need reparations for slavery
The effects of slavery are still felt today, with apparent effects on black Americans and communities. Reparations would help heal the lasting effects of slavery.
Instead of reparations, poverty should be addressed for all Americans
This position holds that, rather than slavery reparations, policy should tackle poverty for all Americans. It argues the lasting harm of slavery is felt mainly through poverty — which afflicts other groups too — and that broad anti-poverty measures would do more to cut racial inequality.