Black folk want reparations and want it NOW! (Sound of white folk laughing).

That’s the typical response to Black America’s call for justice for its literal slave labor. I personally think that blacks should receive reparations, but am pessimistic about it ever becoming a reality. The basic reality is that before we can get the majority (or anyone really) to pay reparations there must be a change in the thought process of that person or group. For this to occur, this America must make drastic changes in its approach to the Black Experience. First, there must be a national recognization of the wrongs fostered upon black people by our forced captivity and slavery. Second, the Nation, as a whole, must recognize that it directly benefitted and continues to benefit from those events. Third, the Nation must realize that Black America has been damaged--mentally, economically and socially, by its acts. And lastly, the Nation, must resolve itself to taking serious steps to undue the damages that its Acts against Black America has engendered.

I also think that part of the problem is simply a logistical one in that it is not quite clear who would be entitled to the money. While the common answer is "black people" the over reaching question of which particular black people still remains. In addition, most of white America will not be too happy paying Black American’s regardless of the benefit they or their fathers derived from slave labor. The resulting backlash would also be harsh and unavoidable.

Instead, I propose a simple solution. Seek reparations to be used in repairing schools in predominately black neighborhoods. The amount to be given to each school should be based on the percentage of total black population served in that geographic area. Under this plan the amount of petty in fighting among black folk should be drastically reduced. In addition, this solution, while spurring white rage at the increased money given to black school children, will not (hopefully) engender the same type of rage as would be created if the money were simply given to poor blacks.