Facing the Truth: The Case for Reparations

Bill speaks with Ta-Nehisi Coates, a senior editor for The Atlantic, about his cover story on why America needs to reconcile with its racist past. See more features at our site: bit.ly/1sYlsku

[@pnojazz]

To the bigots and the naysayer's, in 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which provided redress of $20,000 for each surviving Japanese detainee, totaling $1.2 billion. In legalize that's known as an established legal precedent. That $1.2 billion was paid as reparations for the discrimination and internment of Japanese citizens by America. So, what you're saying is, what's good for Japanese American's isn't good for Black America....Understood. No surprise here...same old same

[@dogotek2]

If you prevent enough people from competing I could get drafted into the NFL in the first round. Blacks were prevented from competing and building wealth on all levels. Blacks were prevented from building wealth for generation after generation.

[@_313BADR]

Example: The Black Wallstreet in the Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

[@dogotek2]

Burned to the ground.

[@silvermediastudio]

There's an estimated 1.2 trillion dollars flowing through the "African American" community every year.

[@pistolpete667]

Germany destroyed in ww1less than 20years later it is rebuilt to a super power. Excuses are like assholes

[@dogotek2]

Rebuilt with others money and still has a occupying force controlling it. Not a good trade off.

[@JustEVA11-14]

Those with such negative comments, personally I hate generalizations, "White's", This..."Black's" That careful people your ignorance is showing.... What about "Right" or "Wrong" yes that affects everyone !!!

[@jeffshuford3421]

Don't waste time or energy debating black issues with white racist. Because, when you win the debate with facts, it will not change there racist views.

[@Oldpangolin]

+Jeff Shuford HaHa very true.

[@donahrahkoonem]

i feel ya brotha. like how the egyppitans enslavved the joos. so when you guys get paid, you can turn around pay off the joos. OR you can go to colllege study, and earn a living.

[@R3kolas]

I love this guy, he is very well articulated a critical point in American racism. I wish I could have an hour long conversation with him about just this very subject. I'm white and I feel like I could never understand what it's like to grow up in any first world country, let alone the United States as a black man. I think he's absolutely right, that we, all of us need to come to terms with the current racism in our country and the oppressions that so long gripped us. It's great that we made progress but it took us far too long, and because it did, like he said it's still evident not only in policy, but in social discourse. Listening to this man talk about these things, well before whenever anyone would talk about racism. I'm ashamed to admit, but I would feel defensive as if it were my fault that things were how they were. And it isn't, but that doesn't mean that I don't feel have a responsibility or an obligation to not only my fellow Americans Africans but to all my fellow Americans to try and make amends.

[@VirtuousWoman1143]

WE DONT TALK ABOUT THEM GIVING UP THE MONEY TO RECTIFY RACISM. OUR GR. GR. GRANDPARENTS FOUGHT & WORKED HARD FOR EVERYTHING THEY MADE. AND WEREN'T PAID FAIR WAGES. SOMETIMES THEY WEREN'T PAID AT ALL.

[@freddyelder85]

The Irish, Scottish, Italians, indians from India, Arabs, Chinese and eastern Europeans have ALLLLL been enslaved in one form or another. And have all built their respective nations or adopted nations. And today all these groups have worked hard at building their communities and their culture and traditions have transcended. Only the dark tones remain in limbo because of their own actions. F**k off douche

[@sereneerby4142]

Great video and such an important issue.

[@jimjones3126]

give the black community free college education for a generation. give a man a fish and feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and feed him for a life time.

[@jimjones3126]

Go tell that to a Native American, I dare you. You probably wont have any teeth by the end of that conversation. Also, Jews get Israel, How does that benefit all Jews affected by the holocaust? What reparations did the Japanese Americans get? Didn't the American government just barley apologize for internment camps? How long did that take like 50 something years just for an apology? yeah, I'm sure the Japanese didn't receive what was taken from them. your argument isn't based in reality dude.

[@smorgasbordtv4092]

Here is a link for Japanese reparations they received 20k each www.nytimes.com/1988/04/21/us/senate-votes-to-compensate-japanese-american-internees.html The American Indians can't be upset with Blacks because Blacks did not want to be slaves to the oppressors of the American Indians. The Jews received Israel & Germany made payments to the & the USA also and the atrocities to the Jews didn't even happen in America. Slavery ended 151 years ago and Black people are lucky if they get an apology. So I think you were misinformed or not understanding.

[@smorgasbordtv4092]

Darron Campbell Those are great points.

[@candycamaro]

+Skyfire we gave you deteoit chicago st louis. what happened. indians got land what did they do with it. hmmmm

[@stevenlee2484]

Slavery lasted for MANY generations & you want "free college" for just ONE generation? Wow

[@AceofDlamonds]

Before I read his article, I thought reparations were totally out of the question. It was time to move on cause everyone had slaves, etc. But he really makes a great case for reparations for the American black community. America was built on the blood of slave labor. It's a big black mark on American history, and if not for that, and practically, it wouldn't, the reparations would be to balance the inequality in the U.S. The majority of the "struggle" in urban black communities is no accident.

[@rogimusprime]

lol @ "big black mark". I really hope you wrote that unwittingly.

[@AceofDlamonds]

Ehehehe....no pun intended. Figure of speech.....

[@paterving3490]

God will step in and yall will pay. God is a God of justice.

[@andrewjackson414]

Yeah, just like all those other times he stepped in.

[@samaiastanford8603]

Yep That is so True

[@evek4437]

What a wonder black speaker, yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Greatly exuberant and eloquent!

[@VirtuousWoman1143]

AS HARD AS WHITE PEOPLE MADE US WORK...DOING 2-3 ETC PEOPLE'S JOBS BUT GET 1/2 PAY OF 1 PERSON. AND NO EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS. AS BLACK AMERICANS WE DONT NEED AN APOLOGY. WE NEED OUR REPARATIONS !!!

[@sojutime]

They were promised 40 acres and a mule.

[@somuchfortalent]

This interview was a little banal. No real insights. No real solutions. And the same complaints about moronic racists that everyone has. Yes, racists of any color are bad. A lot people don't like them. We get it. Seemed he was more interested in throwing around buzzwords like "injuries" (never defined), white supremacy, and reparations for effect than actually talking about what could be done to find real solutions to real problems that real people face. And for reparations not being about money he sure talks a lot about money.

[@DrAL00isin]

There's just no way to make reparations fair or even justified for all involved. How do you justify taking money from a group of whites that have many of their own poor and disadvantaged and show what their " share" of the blame is for something they were not responsible for and neither were any of their ancestors here. Then how do you decide how much which blacks get. If it's about land then the original owners are the native Americans and it's not the white peoples to give, you need to make reparations to them instead. Finally, it was England, not the colonists, who established slavery in America. We have to go back and get reparations from England. The irony is that reparations promised after slavery were stopped by the democrat party of that time,. The Democrats were the KKK back then, and Jim. Crowe laws, and today the vast majority of blacks vote democrat out of habit and loyalty to a party that stopped reparations when it was possible to the actual victims of slavery, and continue to fail to make good on those promises today. Plus democrats have been in charge of all those regions and inner cities that.continue to suffer poverty, violence, and lack of progress.

[@ContinuedBread]

Literally says that disproportional benefits to a specific group based on race is a good thing. after claiming to want to end racism. guess he doesn't know the definition of racism.........which is to show preference or discrimination to a person or persons based on their race.

[@kevinbeattie7297]

What about Chinese railroad workers

[@tierratierra6054]

Nope

[@Jonilee4292]

This comment section makes it hard to think most of you are not descendants of Slave owners. You have the same exact mindset.

[@evanprest6224]

More blacks than Whites are descended from slave owners. Look in the mirror to see the descendant of Master.

[@yrretgnortsmra8955]

@@evanprest6224 it's the other way around jackass

[@Khadija667-l5s]

​@@evanprest6224blah blah blah.. deflection from a slave master's grandkids. Cut me a check ✅

[@ImJayClay]

I'm confused. . . the people who are against this, are arguing that what he's saying is a lie? this stuff is fact-based. . .

[@PEKUMBU]

David Anderson I thought this was an old interview but it's about #thecaseforreparations Man watching this I almost had the feeling that Moyers was passing the torch to Coats. It was like eavesdropping a conversation between two great interviewers and thinkers.

[@motavisjones]

It was nice to see a conversation and not a chest thumping ego.

[@DaudiMajozi]

Glenn Jerome Everette Thanks! I'll check it out after the election is over. I helped set up five precincts today; so I'm done. then it's up at 4am tomorrow. I'm looking forward to watching him.

[@PEKUMBU]

Motavis Jones Moyers has consistently pushed the envelope of true American journalism. He's always on point. He never plays gotcha politics. This interview opens up another dimension of the essay.

[@PEKUMBU]

Chef Dadisi Olutosin I found your response deeply intriguing. But I can't verbalize my response right now. Let me get back to you. David Anderson I have another interview to post after you check this one out. Have a great day. Moyers=Picard? (mind blown)

[@williamh3950]

@@ChefDadisiOlutosin, I agree with everything you said in your comment. Its not going to happen no matter how loud we scream about it. I don't think anybody deserves reparations more than us as African Americans if the country was willing to do it. However, at this point in time, I stand against reparations, not that we don't deserve it, but I think I don't know how we would implement it to where it would benefit our communities and get us off our feet. If you gave it to families, many would spend it out and still be left in poverty. Many of us are careless with our wealth as it is, I just don't think it would be effective in the longrun. What we need is education, hard work and job training, to rebuild our communities and make it a continuous cycle of positive wealth that will continue for generations to come. Reparations would be a failure for us and even is we got it, people would spend it and go back to complaining about it. We need to pull ourselves up by the shirt straps and change our Culture and ideas. Rebuild businesses that resemble the old Black Wall street and hire our own people to work in them. However, I also say that America needs to stop giving other countries billions of dollars like Israel, Afghanistan, Iraq and others to help rebuild their countries as well. We seem to speak the loudest when the subject of reparations comes up, and people say they don't own black anything, or American doesn't have the money to do this, well, why do we send Israel Billions? we don't owe them a damn thing. Why do we send Billions fighting and rebuilding war zones like Afghanistan and Iraq (I'm an Iraq combat Veteran), we don't owe them a damn thing, because we came their and deleted a dictator in Iraq and finally got Bin laden, so we've done our job. So you don't want to use money for Reparations, than pull the money from these countries to repair, fix and rebuild our own Country's infrastructure.

[@agrocuts8402]

I'll take the check. Money is essential to replace the stolen resources.

[@clarenceedwards2866]

Speaking about the Jews, it has been established that many of the slave ships were owned by them so they too should be made to forfeit portions of their estates in order to realize this payment of reparations. And as I said in an earlier comment, it is not difficult to locate the ancestors of the former slave owners because their family tree is all enshrined within the archives.

[@MagnumDB]

16:58 - What form would reparations take? Not a personal check to every black person. Anti-racist POLICY is the answer.

[@robertjack4329]

slavery was a world wide institution for 10,000+ years and africa was the walmart of slavery. Here is your logic: hypothetically, if walmart sold hard core child pornography you would excuse walmart for making money off of it, you would excuse the guys filming the minors, you would excuse the guys recruiting(kidnapping) the kids to film, and you would want the guy buying it AND ANYONE ELSE FROM HIS RACE to pay other kids who were never even in the films. This is an example of black people LITERALLY asking for a handout.

[@boxavoided]

Did japanese americans ask for a handout or some justice for loss of homes and personal effects? They were paid to help, why do black people (whos ancestors built america) not deserve justice?

[@robertjack4329]

saying slaves built this country is an overstatement to say the least. you underestimate teh achievements of the founding fathers. And as bad as it sounds slavery was a legal and world wide institution that lasted for at least 10,000 years. 3% of any race/culture owned slaves... worldwide. Blaming white people or the united states government is nothing more than scapegoating. It is no better than the world blaming germany for ww1 or hitler blaming the jews for everything. there is no connection between slavery and modern black poverty. saying so with excessive indignation doesn't make it so. the situation with japanese americans is different. it's apples and oranges. the united stats gov broke their own constitutional laws and committed war crimes. It's a fallacy to argue that if one says "no" to reparations they are "justifying slavery". No one is justifying slavery. what we are saying is dont' scapegoat usa or white people.

[@stevenelson379]

We have your money. It's all in pennies. You are going to need a big f***in truck.

[@hepdrip]

I watch Moyers weekly because there are some interesting relevant topics on the show. This particular show was excellent and I sent it to my children to make sure they stay informed. It is imperative that parents educate their kids about America because this is not what the schools are doing. I would suggest reading the article on the Atlantic magazine.

[@edmuzicman]

If you think reparations are just "free cash money", you've probably benefited from multigenerational perks like mortgage write offs, priority education systems, loans to start your business (or your daddys business). A clearing-house that gave out loans to BLACK people (excluding other races yes) to start business at low interest rates would be a great start. Its not about trying to get a hand out, but our systems over multiple generations have kept black people as a group from reaping the benefits of the American dream.

[@floodland99]

edmuzicman Nah. I'm 1st generation American. My parents couldn't speak English when they arrived. But I also like free money. Cut me a check too. :-)

[@deborahkile4386]

Good video hope we get reparation ancients turning in there graves we need it we but this place truth set you free

[@billelliott6396]

Irish were first slaves in America,check it out. The English went to Ireland and enslaved hundreds of thousands

[@lovestodesign]

Deborah, if your ancestors are “turning in their graves” over anything, it’s about how low their families living today are stooping. If they CAN see you now, they’d be embarrassed at the way you’re demanding money when you have every opportunity in the world to succeed, but instead you live in the past, a past you yourself, have never experienced, but want to be rewarded for, as if it’s something you’ve earned. If they can see you now, they see that you in 2023 have no excuses left for why you haven’t made it completely on your own when the world could have been your oyster but instead you wait for someone to GIVE you something simply because you exist. Especially since affirmative action many years ago, blacks have had more open doors in general than white people have. There is no such thing as white privilege for the last three decades at the least. And sometimes privilege, real or perceived, comes because of hard work and drive; not “privilege” at all. As a white person I’ve never inherited land, but I don’t cry about it. I’ve seen blacks cry because they never inherited land, but that’s the same for MANY Americans, including white people. Inequality doesn’t even exist any longer; we’ve had a black president and a black female vice president, black teachers and professors. We’ve had a black man on the Supreme Court. We’ve had black judges, black business owners, black lawyers, black politicians in high positions, black top athletes. There are black millionaires and even billionaires (Oprah for one)….is it ever going to be enough? If there are more whites in power it’s because there are more whites in general in America. Blacks make up only 12% of the population. If you,and everyone else would just admit that this is ALL about the money, but you don’t. I doubt your ancestors would be proud of you for getting reparations, they more likely would be embarrassed that you want something you yourself don’t deserve. It’s THEM that went through being slaves but I’m sure they hoped something better and a different world than what they went through. The solution would be a world where you and yours would have the opportunity to go FORWARD, no matter what your race is, and not be held back and that’s what you have now, but instead you wait for someone to hand you something; forever the victim. You still live in a world that existed long before you were even born. like the ONLY way you can make it is to get a handout. Don’t come with the sob story that you deserve something you have not worked for; you and I and everyone, if they’re honest, knows what all this is REALLY about.

[@nunyabiznez6381]

One of my ancestors was the largest owner of slaves in Florida under Spanish rule. His wife, also a slave, is another of my ancestors. He owned slaves from Africa. He also owned slaves that were native American, Spanish, French, English, Greek and Muslim. The fact is, less than half of his slaves were actually of African Descent. The problem with the idea of reparations is this; once you decide to institute reparations you have to decide who gets reparations and who has to pay into it. All parties are now deceased. If you make the qualification for receiving reparations based on skin color (the darker the skin the more you get?) then our president, who gets 100% of his African lineage from his father whose ancestors were never held as slaves in America, would qualify. Conversely, I, who am descended from Native American and African Slaves in Florida and am Blonde with blue eyes and have NEVER had the experience of being the victim of anti African Bigotry would qualify for receiving reparations if they were based on proving descent from slaves. As a genealogist I would be in favor of basing said reparations on proving descent from as many slaves as possible. In fact I, and all the other struggling genealogists would become instant millionaires from all the business we would get. My point in this is that no matter what method of qualification the government might come up with, a huge sector of people who deserved to receive funds could never prove they deserve them and a huge number of people who don't deserve it, myself included, would get it. Bottom line is, while it is a nice sentiment, it would be impossible to implement in anything that would resemble fair in any way. A better idea would be for the government to simply put more financial support into institutions that generally support African American progress. I would start by distributing $10 Billion in grant money to public schools in impoverished areas and follow that up with post secondary education and job training. At the other end, anyone who can prove (much easier to do than the above scenario) that they were African Americans living in Jim Crow states while Jim Crow laws were in effect, should get a subsidy upon reaching social security age based on the number of years they lived in a Jim Crow state under Jim Crow laws. Half should be funded from the federal government and half should be funded through the federal taxing of former Jim Crow states.

[@silvermediastudio]

You can't throw money at education and hope it gets better. Especially when the recipients don't embrace education as a valuable thing in society.

[@nunyabiznez6381]

800lb Gorilla Actually you can. In my town we have at the elementary level. one Teacher for every 6 students. 98% of those elementary students will graduate from high school. This is because my town spends twice the national average. A school in an impoverished town that spends half the national average and has 30 students per teacher has about a 60% high school graduation rate. Why? Because of student teacher ratio. You cannot, as a student. get excited about school if you are just a face in a crowd. But if your teacher spends 10 minutes out of every hour with you one-on-one you are 3-6 times as likely to be enthusiastic about school. I have 7 close friends and relatives who are professional educators and have between them taught in over 20 school districts and their opinion and the opinion of educators is unanimous, student teacher ratio is the key and that is based purely on how much money you spend. When it comes to education, you get what you pay for. That's the bottom line. Your mantra is the one most often used by people who cannot stand the idea that there would ever stop being an underclass for them to lord over.

[@silvermediastudio]

nunya biznez I agree with you 100% that the number one school-controlled factor in student performance is class size. Educational Testing Service did a study in the 90s and confirmed this. But raw dollars aren't enough.. school boards and schools themselves have to decide where to put the funds, and more often than not the money doesn't go to hiring and training quality educators. That's the problem, is when the money is thrown at education, it doesn't go where it needs to go.. it's spent on non-value-added crap that might make the school look better or rank higher because of the facilities, but rarely do they address the REAL issue of providing quality education of a robust curriculum that prepares kids with the knowledge and skills to succeed. That's why I say you can't just "throw" money at education, the dollars have to be spent properly, and on a consistent basis to ensure teachers are always learning as well.

[@sheldonbryan418]

Up you mighty race Reparation nd repatriation is must for all African in the diaspora nd the motherland 🇯🇲🇧🇫🇪🇹🇿🇦🇬🇭🇳🇬🇹🇿🇲🇱🇸🇳🇨🇩🇰🇪🇹🇹💯💯💯🌍🌍🌍

[@nufsed909]

When slavery was abolished reparations should have been paid. However, blacks at the time had no voice or authority to request; nor did any other race stand in the such a fight. Fast forward to 2016; what is the alternative?

[@BullToTheShit]

> When slavery was abolished reparations should have been paid. You're right. That's when it should have been paid. It's too late now. The problem is that less than 50% of the black people in America are descendants of slavery. It would be impossible to accurately pay out the money. Criminals would sell phony documentation to non-descendants in order for them to collect. It would be pure chaos.

[@Shootskas]

The hundreds of thousands of lives lost in The Civil War is reparations enough. But that is just the minimum America has done for the African people over the last 150 years.

[@Khadija667-l5s]

​@@BullToTheShitIt's never too late as long as money is still being printed.

[@sillabear6679]

create a large inner city fund. Start funding urban communities

[@donahrahkoonem]

here is reparrations explained. 1, study. 2, go to college. 3, work, and earn a living. if not, 4, get out of the republik.

[@Lenzo8449]

What bullshit.

[@alvarorivero9207]

Really interesting work. It is mentioned that we've never seen a reparation process, however, I believe in Bolivia that has been done under Evo Morales and, far beyond that, indigenous people have recovered their identity and are now represented and have become active part of society

[@hoggham7882]

I demand reparations for all my fellow white people who have been generationally condemned to extreme poverty in numbers that dwarf the number of poor blacks - both historically and currently. - "white poor outnumber the black poor considerably, 19 million to 7.8 million. White people make up 42 percent of America’s poor, black people about 28 percent. The basic numbers don’t change when we look at people living in extreme poverty, in households making less than 50 percent of the meager poverty line. Of the 20 million people who live at this alarming level of want and deprivation, about 42 percent are white, 27 percent black." - See more at: inequality.org/poverty-matter-black-white/#sthash.ZKEyIswY.dpuf

[@lovestodesign]

Everyone knows this is ALL about the money. EVERY race in America has the equal opportunity to go further than the generation before them, especially with affirmative action which is a reparation in existence for many years now. There are no real divisions between races now. THE ONLY DIVISIONS ARE ONES THAT PEOPLE PURPOSELY WON’T ALLOW TO DIE!!! Why? Because why forgive and forget the past if they can use it to their advantage instead? My own family didn’t arrive from Europe until the early 1900’s, after slavery was abolished. That was my great grandfather’s side. My great grandmother’s side was Native American so I have N. A. blood in me as well as European. They got married once my great grandfather became a citizen of this country. I’m sure my families history is similar to the history of many United States citizens. Our ancestors weren’t even on American soil yet, and as in my case, my great grandmother, as a Native American would have never had slaves. In fact as a Native American she or one of HER ancestors might have been enslaved themselves at some point. I was six years old when she, a widow, died at almost 102 years, still mentally sharp as a tack. She very seldom brought up her past unless one of us as kids asked her specific questions. If reparations are so great, why don’t we go back to the mid and early 1800’s when there were horse thieves and cattle rustlers, stagecoach robbers and cold blooded killers running rampant?! Several of those were black men. Many, black, white and brown, escaped or eluded justice. Should we track down their family members living today and punish them for the sins and the crimes of their forefathers? Those were ALL serious crimes back in the day….horse thievery was treated like cold blooded murder because a man was nothing without his horse. Same with cattle rustling. You were messing with peoples livelihood. If we did demand justice from those that weren’t even alive back then, the cries of “UNFAIR” would be deafening. So WHY is it okay to now reward people for simply existing when they themselves were never slaves, and in fact, their own forefathers may not have been slaves either. They might have even been black slave OWNERS or “Uncle Toms”, blacks who snitched on other blacks in order to gain favor with the slave owners. I think slavery of black people or of any race is evil to the core, and there’s no justification for it, but many don’t realize, OR conveniently forget, that white people have also been oppressed victims of slavery around the world and starting centuries ago. So where does it all end? The first slave owners and sellers were black men in Africa; the slave trade eventually made its way to America. So they can thank Africa for being the first to sell their own race into slavery. Many black slave owners in Africa became filthy rich by selling their OWN race into slavery. Why don’t they demand reparations from Africa? And why do they call themselves ‘African American ‘, even if they weren’t born there, and their ancestors aren’t from Africa, they still treat Africa like their mother country.I don’t call myself ‘European American’ or even ‘Native American’ when I introduce myself, I’m just ‘American’ “African American” is just another term used to divide us. Many have said if they get reparations they’ll go back to Africa with the money. So they’ll take money from America because of slavery of their forefathers, which may or may have been their ancestors experience, but take that money TO Africa, where slavery of black people actually originated?? I think some people are very confused and have lost their way.

[@ContinuedBread]

yeah all those "injuries" you should pity us and give us stuff because of things that occurred before we where born. you should fix our problems because of "things" that happened in the past. SERIEOSLY stop crying and just fix your own damn problems. everyone has issues and problems. FUCKING DEAL WITH IT. it's part of being human stop crying about theoretical injustices. if you want to excel in life then go excel stop complaining in hopes of a free handout.

[@19ces78]

Although I respect Mr. Coates views, and acknowledge that he is far more educated than myself - I disagree with reparations being owed to "all" Black Americans. True, there are many alive today who lived through the Civil Rights era and may have directly felt the evils of Racism. Perhaps those Black Americans are due some reparations, but not "all" Black Americans. There are many Whites in this country who live in Poverty, so we cannot just point to Blacks who live in Poverty and say "they are owed reparations because they are poor". Many immigrants still come to our land unable to speak english, and are somehow able to climb the economic ladder. No amount of outside help is going to ever be enough if individuals aren't willing to change their own situation. The truth is that there is more "Black on Black crime in this country today" then there is White on Black crime.

[@fredpalmer3990]

Lets have some facts about actual deaths of Union soldiers who died to free the slaves in the Civil War. That's right these mostly white soldiers died, were maimed and lost their property to Free the slaves. How about a some gratitude; Total about 650,000 Americans died in the War on both sides. The Union Army fielded roughly 2.2 million men during the war. Around 110,000 were KIA or died of wounds received in battle. About 230,000 of disease which was rampant during the war and nearly 30,000 Union troops died as POW's. Civilian deaths total around 50,000 From things like bombardments, Sieges, starvation and disease and an additional 80k slaves died during the conflict.

[@leadarrows546]

The Declaration of Independence was in 1776 , before that time this land was a British Colony. The Thirteenth Amendment (December 1865) formally outlawed the institution throughout the United States. The book this guy is promoting has in it's title "250 years of slavery". Help me out with the math here...isn't that just 89 years? A far cry from the 250 he claims. Can anyone show me a country that realized slavery was wrong and fought a bloody war to end it in less time then 89 years after becoming a new Nation? Slavery ended 149 years ago...I am pretty sure none of the blacks in this country have ever been any more a slave then I am.

[@jamesgarrett7181]

This government benefited the most that's where the most should come from B1 Family Reparations Now

[@ContinuedBread]

country shows progress. this guy "NOT GOOD ENOUGH I WANT MORE STUFF AND BETER TREATMENT!"

[@dudleybonton223]

Sounds great,but it seems all the intelligence in this country can't seem to get to the point where we can correct ourselves, we seem to have lost that ability, and the sense of accountability, in that part of our character as a country we are still very immature and petty.

[@jerrysegura2376]

Maybe and just maybe everyone should remember.... "if the pass never happen such as slavery, would the African Americans be better off"

[@krytoniteforthesoul]

I don't see reparations as something directed to individuals directly, but by working in the spirit of most laws and applying them fairly. HE has a point with the extension. Why do those in power oppose something that could benefit black people. That is racism? If they didn't oppose it, that would be retribution. Treat them equally, right? But why do you have to dig holes so they can step in and fall? What is that? Most laws are fair until people want to circumvent them with the tactics of crooked politics that everybody knows are done to affect the black communities negatively. You knock them done once and a thousand times and them keep walking without looking back.

[@Orile277]

There is a link on the side of Christopher Hitchens remarking on the same subject back in 2001. I doubt many of you are more well-read than him, nor are you as illuminated on the subject. I would implore you to set your bias aside for just a second and think clearly on the subject before you jump to conclusions. Thank you.

[@tamerabaggett8047]

We can have justice, when we have equality, but first the United States must make restitution for founding this nation on the backs of blacks and others excluded from justice. The first step would be an honest history, which Coates is addressing for the recent past century. All history books must be rewritten in an inclusive matter. Its futile to acknowledge wrongs without make a confession in writing. We are just beginning to become truthful. May we have more courage than our founding fathers.

[@SteveLeicht1]

I definitely believe in reparations. 3 of my ancestors fought for the Union in the Civil War. So you're welcome. I'm excited cause I guess the check is in the mail.

[@lorna11752]

black people fought in the civil war also, actually on both sides........Black people have fought in every war this country has had since the revolutionary war, again on both sides.

[@snoopyfix2]

@@lorna11752 As did whites and even indigenous. What's your point?

[@midnighteye2737]

I'm a liberal and I don't agree with reparations. Just stop outsourcing jobs, hire people fairly and stop giving america austerity, that's reparations enough.

[@ryphiusrabenfu5430]

Its just not practical. I would agree that former slaves and maybe their children where entitled but I just dont see how modern day african americans would be. but lets play with that idea. Lets say the USA decided to pay reparations tommorrow. What makes todays African americans more entitled to thee reparations than African Ammericans in the year 2200? Will this be onetime thing or do you want this to be payed out every year? every decade every hundred years? the fact that these reparations are so totaly out of any temporal context to the actual slavery makes it an impossibility to actually DO it in a way that makes sense. That said. If the USA would be thinking about reparations for annyone I wpould tend to believe that the Native americans where the first, second, third and 6`th in line way before the African americans.

[@aaronszydlowski3991]

I just want to ask everyone a question when your a Trump supporter everyone calls you racist and white supremacist but when your a black Trump supporter everyone still calls you racist and white supremacist how does that make sense?

[@russnorris8982]

Listen closely to what this guy says. He is not a clear thinker. Very confused . No logic, just attention grabbing phrases that are incoherent and nonsensical. None of his ramblings make sense or conclude in realistic solutions. Softball interviewing by Moyers doesn’t help.

[@brothermike2788]

Biuut I thought you were the first, the best, the smartest, you invented math and science,you claim to be first in everything, high intelligence and iq,,,Right.why do you need these hateful whites? They sure don’t want or need you idiots,

[@DarrylJohnston-y4v]

This is great but biblical prophecy states that we are not going to stay here. We are going back from where we were scattered. Also we might get these reparations then be gathered together in one place to meet our Yahweh.

[@maleekcampbell6542]

Facts! Truth hurt just look at the dislikes. One thing about them devils they not hard to notice

[@cryofpaine]

I love the hypocrisy. You want to end a system which generalizes an entire group of people, judges them, based on a superficial trait, by generalizing an entire group of people and assigning a judgement (that they are guilty of racism or of at least supporting a system that promoted racism) based on a superficial trait (where you live). You cannot change the past. And you cannot hold someone responsible for something they haven't done. Point to something happening to someone currently and show that they are owed for what is being done to them currently, and I'll support it. Until then, this is just an excuse for a handout. Now what I do support is fixing our economy for everyone, and providing opportunities for all the less fortunate. The wealth inequality in this country is insane, and we absolutely need to do something about that. That's not reparations. That's not trying to make up for past sins. That is identifying current problems and making a current bad situation right.

[@AbenaMcKenzieSoapiphany]

Point >>> to the current Justice systems that currently release wrongfully detained Innocent Black ppl on DNA evidence, after 40 years of imprisonment!

[@bikesarebest]

Did you even watch this video?

[@Preludetoadream1]

Absolutely brilliant!

[@backeast2283]

Invoice the ancestors that sold you because I'm broke buying the war on poverty.

[@Khadija667-l5s]

Sure I'll invoice YOUR! ancestors!

[@sage4nowty129]

Why does Bill Moyers act as if he is just learning about this? He sounds like he is from the south and he is old enough to have witnessed these things. Is he part of the problem?

[@kott56956]

You are an alcoholic. Well stop drinking, stop referring to yourself as an Alcoholic and you will be just like the rest of us.

[@5ynthesizerpatel]

There wouldn't be a case to answer for reparations if america was a meritocracy They wouldn't be needed

[@hasseemabdul-jalil8836]

Complete ambiguity. He is no economist. Hell yeah money....hell yeah cut the check.

[@Ramiiam]

I'm black. Give me money.

[@TheRealRonel]

IM WHITE..LETS STEAL THEIR MONEY!

[@Ramiiam]

Did someone steal your money Ronnie? Shouldn't you file a police report then?

[@TheRealRonel]

Did someone ask you for money Ramiiam​? CUASE THE POLICE IS THE KKK JUST LIKE AMERIKKKA

[@vivahernando1]

Can they pay the 90 year old guy who had to move to Chicago because his land was stolen at least or the people that were fleeced by illegal loans. Those people or at least their kids are still alive.

[@AnnFenstermacher]

I read Coates's The Case for Reparations which he thoughtfully shares in this interview...all of which I found to be compelling, provocative and "on point" as a needed entry point for a critical national discussion to address and heal the wrongs of our collective American past. So many of the ills we face today are a cumulative result of our unjust government policies and cultural practices of the past. Let's unite to do the hard work of acknowlegement and amends so our nation can move forward on a truly equal and free footing.

[@vzonhexclusives2929]

It’s 2025 what changed???

[@thosenuts]

they are in Denial.

this country was built on the labor of slaves and the land of native americans. we owe them our nation.

[@MitchytooSlick]

I'd be willing to give blacks reparations if whites and blacks separated and blacks were given their own country, that way the tension between blacks and whites could be dealt with...Whites could move forward and do what they wanted and Blacks could seek their own destiny while feeling they are free of white influence and power...

[@Khadija667-l5s]

You think just like your grandparents the slave master's 😮

[@skywolf2012]

Who exactly will pay for this ? Everyone???

[@DavidBryant-v1i]

Woke Racism by John Mc Whorter. Read it

[@billelliott6396]

The Irish were the first slaves in America and Barbatos areas

[@normanbraslow7902]

The truth is, there is no case for reparations. None. Give it up.

[@abdallahmuhammad-bey8810]

Reparations yesterday today and tomorrow.

[@theRunawayBrave]

He does NOT speak for me.

[@askewderrick9475]

Cut the Check

[@Khadija667-l5s]

And make sure it's in black ink 🎉

[@MaddDoggie]

An unacknowledged wound has no chance of being healed. Only two things effect human behavior, sociology and physiology. If you maintain that there are no sociological factors that have contributed to the state of the African American community, define the physiological factors. The only one I can define is multi generational trauma.

[@maxissixam6049]

all that Solely from slavery? not because of the self destructive nature of popularizied black culture in modern media?

[@maxissixam6049]

all that Solely from slavery? not because of the self destructive nature of popularizied black culture in modern media?

[@MaddDoggie]

+Lunarl Mune many factors have contributed to the sociological makeup of the African American community. None of which are physiological. The low self esteem, searching for acceptance (materialism) , desperation (crime), hopelessness, anger and frustration are all products of the history of the life of the ancestors of the kidnapped Africans. The failure to acknowledge by both black people AND white people that there needs to be a mental recovery from years of thinking one group of people is superior to the other group is what is perpetuating the distinction and value between "races". There is only one race and neither group with different hair, skin or eye color is "superior". When ALL parents teach their children that they are no better or worse than another person we can address all these social ills. An unacknowledged wound has no chance of healing. Many White people still think like "masters" and a lot of black peoples still think like slaves and neither want to admit it.

[@maxissixam6049]

Bruce Bellamy​ I was never brought up that I was better than another by skin and I doubt many white families do this outside of certain groups(neonazis and the Klan) we all know it happened but its never been repeated and from what I can tell from personal experience some black people wear that grudge against all whites like a medal of honor. Mutual acknowledgement check, forgiveness is needed and that is going to be a sonuvabitch to get because of this debt the black community has imagined up that must be paid off to make amends to people who are LONG dead. So its essentially upto the black community of when it is paid off.

[@andrewporter4636]

Sociology is VODOO NOT SCIENCE bullshit PC GOBBLIGOCK.

[@SteveLeicht1]

Guess what Mr. Bellamy, we HAVE given huge amounts of reparations...welfare, school scholarships, affirmative action on the job to name a few...but down in your heart you must know that all the reparations in the world would not improve scholastic achievement, legitimate employment equality, etc. First, the reparations would go right back into the white owned system. Second, the above mentioned reasons would lead to a further decay of the black culture of self-destruction. Whether or not blacks had it worst, other minorities have come to huge success in the world, while blacks continue to slip backwards.

[@shonuffdalake9273]

Why not just GIVE US OUR DUE and don't worry about what we do with the money!! Racist bastards just don't wanna see a Black man with nothing.

[@shonuffdalake9273]

***** WOW! You cavemen still use that huh?! Sorry for you BUT my people are the original inhabitants of all lands. You should get you sum spf 14 and hope the Sun don't kill you. You do know that a white person dies every 57seconds from the Sun.. Haha!

[@SteveLeicht1]

shonuff Dalake I'm not being upset, and I admit that was pretty funny.

[@AceofDlamonds]

Wouldn't it be great if we pass money out to black communities around the U.S.? It would be....it's just not practical and I don't know how we could get that accomplished. The argument certainly needs to be on the table. Too many people outright reject it.

[@geekmeee]

Agreed, to address the injury and damage done. But before we ever start the discussion about money, we have to begin discussing and dismantling the corrupt and lazy thinking systems (racial stereotypes) that were designed to make this happen. Or we are just allowing the oppressors to write a check and go back to what they were doing 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@carlitosaprano]

Bravo. U can't take it back. But u can make it right. That's normal for a crime. A civil case right? Implying that you're civilized. Maybe not.

[@Belrivers]

Coates is definitely not the next James Baldwin. I am hearing no depth in what he has to say. I feel no passion or mission in his delivery. He says 'We', James Baldwin did not see his self as part of the 'We'.

[@ltheghost]

This is THE REAL discussion about Race and Racism that we are all missing. Please. Watch the video before commenting.

[@anthonymartinez7804]

Those that are living and suffered being a slave, should be paid by Africa for selling them, END OF STORY.

[@diypictures]

America is the most diverse country in the world. Other countries scoff at our race issues yet they don't have the diversity to even compare. Integration is morally necessary but doesn't work when the numbers are this high. The more diversity a country has the more uncomfortable the hierarchy gets.

[@carlitosaprano]

But u cant ask the perpetrator. World court is where genocides are charged. They never go to the suspect. The defendant might have a little bias.

[@jlawrence6723]

Having now read (over past 12 hours) most comments here of past week, i gotta say... the word that HASN'T come up (that should) is "entitlement." (yeah, i said it). it links this discussion with other uniquely American, nacissistic pre-occupations, i.e., gay marriage, school prayer and other (should be) non-issues. yes, certain groups want larger American society to [fill-in-the-blank]. it mostly boils down to, see them as they see themselves and/or mandate equality against the larger society's wishes. indeed, ascribe them special rights (and studies) to assure they are treated equally... when, of course, NOBODY is treated equally in all matters. imho, current declarations of oppression by black people, gay Americans and Christian prayers (not satisfied w/private prayers in school), etc. smacks of attention-getting behavior. Like folks who couldn't sit at the Cool Table in high school, they aren't very savvy, attractive or articulate, but want ALL of America (who mostly ignores them) to acknowledge their special-ness. i'm afraid the net result could be the 'handicapping' of America... you know, weight every group/individual with other groups'/individuals' alleged NEEDS so all will cross finish line together... which is unlikely to produce 'the best' in anybody. that's all from me on this video.

[@katarinamitchell14]

"You Know"

[@michaelanthony2787]

Reparations in my opinion as an African American, is the one thing that will give me peace and I believe this will largely destroy the issue of race as it is described today. I believe all these issues of white supremacy, white privilege, and every other issue will be put to the side. Trust me I am a bit of a radical when it comes to these things And I have a hardened heart when it comes to alot of racial issues, but this would definately shut me up. And if it would shut me up you bet our bottom dollar that it would shut up the feeling of oppression of millions of African Americans across the country if not the Globe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@malikbey1467]

For the record there is no such people that ever exist on this earth call negro, black or colored and African American people because people have a nationalty now name the real indenity of those people and then there shall be reparation those people label as such. But the brother is on point with what he's seeking. I say peace to him.

[@sassygreen7129]

so who cares if we di spend it all so what we deserve it they took our people from there land hid our culture treated us like dogs we had to fight walk protest to even be legally counted as human so give me mines.....

[@sassygreen7129]

WE NEVER TOOK A WHOLE RACE FROM ITS LAND COVERD UP THERE HISTORY.. EVERy OTHER CULTURE DONT LIKE THE WHITE PEOPLE.. SO DONT THROW UP SLAVERY WHEN WHITES HAVE TOOK A WHOLE CULTURE OF PEOPLE DONT FROM THER LAND... ThEY LIED TO US WE HAD TO FIGHT LIKE HELL TO EVEN BE LOOKED AT AS HUMAN PROTESTS MARCHES I HAVE NEVER SEEN WHITE PEOPLE MARCH FOR THERE FREEDOM HAVE U FUCK BOY NOPE.. I HAVENT SEEN WHITE. IN JEW CAMPS HAVE U FUCK BOY.. SO GET THE FUCK OFF MY COMMENTS BEFORE I OWN YO WHITE ASS 

[@dude-fy8pf]

Sassy Green You are clearly racist against white people. "We" didn't do shit to you. I wasn't alive during slavery so stop acting like the white people now living in America are somehow responsible for it. BTW my siblings are black. How am I oppressing black people when half of my family is black? Oh, and your homophobia says a lot about your lack of intelligence.

[@dude-fy8pf]

Sassy Green Oh I get it, you're completely insane.

[@sassygreen7129]

+angry buddha. and heres another 1.......

[@cabalofdemons]

Color isn't the problem, racism is the problem and combating racism is the solution to that problem.

[@SteveLeicht1]

Look what happened when neighborhoods WERE integrated. Disaster.

[@Arnoldisbored]

I am an American, I pay taxes, I have never seen, let alone owned a slave. Some of my ancestors owned slaves, some of my ancestors were slaves. What gives you the right to take my money and give it to someone who was never a slave, never knew a slave, and someone I have never wronged?

[@Khadija667-l5s]

My grandparents worked years!!! for free!!.. write me a check ✅.

[@BlackCulturalPreservation2023]

Would love a FAT check... My ancestors worked for HUNDREDS of years for FREE. I found my great-grandfather's/SLAVE MASTER diary/business books. I am facing discrimination at work, am light skin and half asian. Imagine what Black men or dark skin people have to go through...

[@mommaroni1899]

Why are you not suing your employer. The ACLU will take a legit case and make money off of you. And you get paid without dropping a dime for an attorney. So either you're BS'n the comments or don't know legal recourse. Either way you're minority you'll get whatever you want.

[@baja1988_Texas]

Reparations is not now, nor has it ever been, about remuneration. It has always been about revenge.

[@martineyoung3303]

BS. Assuming you mean "revenge" against White people, how would reparations do that? Reparations don't hurt one group; they make another group whole: White people wouldn't be harmed by it; Black people would be healed. That you see Black people being made whole as "revenge"/injury to White people lays bare your own racism and need to feel safe and strong via others' lack. The epitome of the White Supremacist mindset.

[@stevehardwick1578]

Reparations have existed for decades in the form of affirmative action, hiring and promotion preferences, etc. No whites existing today or their parents or grandparents ever owned slaves. Most of us have worked as soon as we were able and never asked for welfare, subsidized housing or other benefits that most blacks have received. I and many of my friends have worked far more than a 40 hour week our entire lives, that was our only way to achieve success in life. Many blacks who have the same work ethic have had successful lives as well. Suggesting you're owed reparations for things that occurred hundreds of years ago only further divides us. Be grateful for the preferential treatment you're already experiencing, do not commit crimes or blame others for your situations and you'll succeed in America.

[@susiesnarey8442]

Well said Steve. It really gets to me when I see young man like this . He seems to be doing well. Was he dumbed down and prevented from reaching his goals? If these young people learned history in school they would know that President Lincoln freed the slaves and was greatly opposed by the Democrats over it . The KKK are democrats. The Great Martin Luther King started a movement back in the 60s that changed things from the so called Jim Crow era and he was killed for it. There are many successful black people who achieved their goals by hard work and perseverance . Many came from humble backrounds.

[@toreano3160]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@LordGreystoke]

Steve, you're just not getting it. You're completely disavowing and ignoring slavery's impact upon the history of the Black American. All the examples that Coates cites, including redlining, the lack of medicaid expansion, primarily in the South, discriminating banking policies, the realities of poverty and economic depression that mire many of the poorest Southern states and primarily affect Black people. That's what he's talking about! And affirmative action, promotion preferences, none of that has made any serious dent into the plight of the average Black American. The median household income for the Black Americans in 2021 was $48,297 while the median household income for White Americans was $77,999. What does that tell you?? Educate yourself, Steve. And stop embarrassing yourself with a poor understanding of the actual economic picture. It's not about being "grateful" for preferential treatment. It's about coming to terms with the legacy of a shameful period in this country's history and understanding why so many Black Americans continue to struggle under the realities of White Supremacist policies and thinking. www.americanprogress.org/article/white-supremacy-returned-mainstream-politics/

[@treone3169]

50-70 trillion is owed to black

[@andrewporter4636]

get behind those 19 trillion$ we already owe.this is never ever gonna happen.the takers have arrived at the bridge to far

[@joeshmoelb]

I've felt this way for a long time. The only successful system for government or society is one where people are judged by their skill, and anyone too young to have these skills is each an uncut gem waiting for the right shape.