The Case of Reparations

In the article “The Case of Reparations” by Ta-Nehisi Coates, the author makes his case in sections IV, V, and VI. Section IV highlights how the men who founded the United States wanted to create a country that was dedicated to freedom and equality. This was rather hypocritical because of their beliefs in the slavery. Coates referred to how the founders of the nation held slaves or were willing to join together with others who had slaves. In section V, Coates explains that even people who did not own slaves wanted to own them. He provided an example of how homeowners in today’s society will discuss adding on a patio or painting their living room. The same type of nonchalant conversation happened among slaveholders. They traded tips regarding breeding workers, exacting labor, and punishing slaves. Furthermore, there were journals slave owners could subscribe to. This is similar to how someone would subscribe to The New York Times today. Section VI of the reading focuses on the shift in housing. He writes about how in the old black ghetto, doctors and lawyers lived among meatpackers and steelworkers. Prostitutes and the unemployed lived by as well. No matter what your occupation, those who called the old ghetto home were exposed to unfair living conditions like rats and arson. Furthermore, this environment denied black people privileges which white people had the opportunity to take advantage of. Even though actions were taken to try and integrate neighborhoods, white homeowners eventually fled the area. On the other hand, white home owners who stayed behind were effected by decreased property value due to racism and segregation.