Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Should there be reparations for slavery?
Position1 of 3

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.

Supporting arguments · 3

  1. Reparations are a racist policy
    The policy places blame of past injustices on several generations of white people who had nothing to do with slavery. It is racist to punish them for a historical act that the vast majority today condemn as racist.
  2. Reparations are logistically impractical
    Not all black Americans descended from slaves, so tracing back who is deserving of reparations is complicated. Also, if the system isn't careful it could fall victim to exploitation.
  3. Reparations are costly
    The cost of reparations is potentially trillions of dollars. With an already growing deficit and no clear way to fund the effort, reparations are too costly to implement.