DC Ct January 16, 2017 There will be a long line for reparations,American Indians,Chinese and Irish railway workers,Italians and Jews in the NYC slums,Japanese in internment camps. Where do I sign up. Flag

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FH Boston January 9, 2017 Theoretically, reparations make sense, Logistically, it seems more executable on an institutional level (was your college built with slave labor?) than on an individual level. There are too many confounding factors on an individual level to create a system that would not be extraordinarily unwieldy. Flag

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Tom Reynolds Los Angeles January 9, 2017 Dyson makes the same critical mistake that The New York Times keeps making: misreading obviously tense situations for police as brutality.



Yes, Mr. Dyson, let's hear your horror stories about police.



But extraordinary care is needed, and it has not been taken, when making the brutality accusation when a killing occurs. You really want to call someone a murderer before you hear his side of the story? That's the tone of Dyson, BLM, and the Times.



Can you understand that millions will not buy into the hysteria?



Also, there's the "problem" that twice as many white guys are killed by police as black guys. Twice as many stories of woe and feelings of unfairness from white families that could be reported in the media. Police aren't choosing who they shoot by color. The majority of police shootings involve someone acting erratically with a deadly weapon. This leaves little room for a multitude of innocent people, sober and without a weapon, getting killed.



We should all be focusing on International Association of Chiefs of Police President, Terrence M. Cunningham, who publicly apologized "for the role our profession has played in society's historical mistreatment of communities of color." This, instead of tormenting blacks further with the idea that a group of people is out to kill them. Flag

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Kent Chicago January 8, 2017 I've concluded Ms. Cox's column should be called "What White People Must Learn". It has nothing to do with “Talk.” Ms. Cox traffics in race. It's her brand and a lucrative niche at that. Likewise Mr. Dyson does the same only he adds demagoguery and racism to his skill sets. Labeling an entire race as guilty and all but asking them to kneel at the altar of shame is exactly what we don't need now. We’re walking into a catastrophe of a Presidency and Liberals stand partially to blame. They’re determined to separate us in an effort to soothe their misplaced guilt. I suggest we call them SLWP's - Self Loathing White People. Millions of us Whites have climbed out of poverty, grew up in neighborhoods and attended schools where we were minorities and forged life long relationships with people who don't look like us. We’ve rejected injustices and worked to end them – all while remaining proud of our European heritage. And that’s ok. Last week Ms. Cox let a column slip through featuring Vivek Murthy - our Surgeon General. However she neglected to feature his race and the lessons he has to teach White people. Instead we marveled at a human who has excelled in his profession, has a gentle spirit and incredible intellect. Unlikely the NYT will allow more of this. Conflict is a hot and lucrative business. As a life long Liberal I’ve untethered from the group. Please consider doing the same. Leave them to their self-righteous nonsense then let’s set out and get the real work done. Flag

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UC Graduate Los Angeles January 8, 2017 Dear Professor Dyson,

Thank you for sharing your embarrassing ideas with the world and helping to elect Donald J. Trump to the White House. Most African Americans I know do not sit around hoping that white people contribute to their Individual Reparations Account--they have way too much common and political sense. Flag

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BL Austin TX January 8, 2017 Must be nice to live in an alternative reality. Flag

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Gerry Professor BC Canada January 8, 2017 Under tort law, one who has suffered injury must show the loss he or she has incurred because of the wrongful act of the parties now judged liable. Thus, those claiming damages (i.e., reparations) should show how their current position leaves them worse off than if the acts now sued upon had not occurred. Under this principle, it is difficult to argue or otherwise provide evidence that any compensable loss (especially in the aggregate) has occurred as the result of slavery, If those people extracted from Africa against humane values had not been so mistreated, their USA born descendants would in the aggregate (almost certainly) live today (if they were alive at all) under conditions of life inferior to those they do experience in contemporary USA.



Nothing here is intended to deny unjust treatment of many people alive today. That poses a different issue. But please, do not allege that the reprehensible institution of slavery has diminished their lives today. Quite the opposite.



To harken the past in such a debatable manner misdirects and even retards the social changes that apply to contemporary USA. It also denies respect and dignity by omitting personal responsibility from the discussion of problems and their most effective alleviations. Flag

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Ozafira USA January 8, 2017 "That gave me pause!"



Hard-hitting stuff, Ms. Cox. Flag

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Peter P. Bernard Detroit January 8, 2017 Michael Dyson has his Detroit street “creds,” so he knows what I’m talking about: He’s talking too much. It’s time to stop the so-called racial dialogue. Blacks do have a common consensus but we need to hear that same consensus from whites. We know what Trump and his followers think but does that include the thoughts of people like Stephen Hawking, Faith Hill?

For example, how extensive is the view that the failure to convict O.J. Simpson absolves white people from any future responsibility for human rights issues like Ann Coulter claims? (For the record, Blacks didn’t rejoice over O.J.s trial results. Outside of perhaps L.A., Blacks didn’t even care about Simpson. Those who even had an opinion tended to agree with the jury that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond a shadow of a doubt. After football, Simpson became a part of a community in which Blacks had absolutely no connection.)

I trust Mr. Dyson’s capability to hear white people and summarize their collective consensus of their view of America’s race problem.



Mr. Dyson, you are comissioned to listen Flag

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Just A NYT Reader NYC January 8, 2017 Big fan. Needs to invest in better shoes. Flag

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Buck California Palo Alto, CA January 8, 2017 I read this 30 years ago. I'll be reading it again in 30. Humans are humans, and we will always be wired to see people as different. Flag

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A. B. The South January 8, 2017 Some of my ancestors became wealthy through slave ownership. This wealth is gone but I see how those of us since have still benefited through access to education and useful business contacts. I feel no guilt for this but I believe I carry a special duty to never forget. I have tried to share with others along the way as a result. So while I don't exactly have an "IRA", I agree with and try to live the spirit of the essay.



My situation is uncommon. I don't think "whites" or the nation as a whole are in the same situation. Most of my friends are descendants of post-Civil War European immigrants, Asian immigrants and, especially, poor Southern whites. They've got their own histories of discrimination. Still other folks' ancestors fought and died to abolish slavery.



It seems unfair to stick any of these with guilt or a reparations bill.



The broader nation should skip "reparations" and just apply itself more diligently to non-discrimination, safety, healthcare, education and opportunity for all, regardless of family history, ethnicity, race. Flag

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Justice Holmes Charleston January 8, 2017 No one like to hear the truth white people, black people, Asian people. Truth looks you in the face and may say change or else. Mr. Dyeing should remember that.



As to his sermon, racism and prejudice exists. We, all of us, need to oppose it in all its forms. White people are no more perfect than black people but they have stepped up in very, very large numbers to fight for civil rights often to the loss of their lives or careers. Of course, I know that makes me a racist. How dare I praise white civil rights supporters or those who have voted for and supported equality and voters rights. But I'll live on the edge.



We would all do well to recognize that the more we divide ourselves the easier it is for corporations and other powerful interests to take it all. Once it's gone we will all be equally oppressed and I don't think that is the kind of world MLK envisioned.



I say power to the humans! Flag

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Art New York January 8, 2017 It would be helpful for all posters who support reparations to disclose if they believe they would qualify to receive such payments. Of those supporters who do not anticipate qualifying to receive payments, it would be helpful to know if they are already giving their money to slave descendants and, if not, why they are waiting. Flag

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BGal San Jose January 8, 2017 I don't know about paying people more. I'd have to think about that.



I do however make an effort to extend extra courtesies to people who are not obviously white because they may have been slighted by others.



I have no way to walk in others' shoes. Not really. I just want to make one person's life a bit easier for one moment.



Having put that down in black and white though I kinda sound patronizing. Flag

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diearbw Boston, MA January 8, 2017 Typical progressive rubbish. Regarding reparations, I consider the debt paid by the 360,00 Union casualties suffered to free the slaves and the 50 years of liberal social welfare spending which has gone, disproportionatly, to black Americans. Flag

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Dave NYC January 8, 2017 Individual reparations? Good luck with that. Flag

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Alex Montreal January 8, 2017 identity politics and pc-ness were instrumental in getting Trump the win. Think about that, sjws. Flag

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in deed 48 January 8, 2017 Paul



What are your bona fides to lecture on this issue?



Based on your comments they must overturn the modern intellectual tradition. How can one instruct so well in The Truth without breaking through into another level not yet publicly known? I look forward to reading your peer reviewed paper. And enlightenment. Flag

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Tom California January 8, 2017 I thoroughly enjoy listening to Mr. Dyson and read his articles and opinion pieces.



One thought keeps knawing at me- if Mr. Dyson's main point is to advocate us to change our race relations and culture through individual acts rather than through the government, then why does he continue to support the Democratic party?



And, how would reparations from American taxpayers who have never owned slaves somehow encourage these individual acts of reparations that he advocates? Flag

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Susan Piedmont January 8, 2017 i have a black friend.



Oh but wait. His mother was white, an immigrant from the Near East. His father was partly black, partly Native American, and a small part white. So my friend, who looks black and who identifies as black is actually less than 50% of African descent.



So who owes whom? Does he owe himself reparations? How about me? My ancestors were in Europe until after the year 1900. They had nothing to do with slavery in North America. So do I own my friend reparations? Flag

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Matthew Bedell New York City January 8, 2017 I find it astonishing that the one thing that galvanizes all of the negative comments here is the thought of giving away some of your hard-earned money. Y'all would rather come up with a system so complicated that NO ONE EVER GETS ANYTHING and YOU DON'T HAVE TO PART WITH A PENNY rather than share even the tiniest bit of your good fortune with the people upon whose backs that good fortune was made. It's simple people: if you are thriving in America today you are succeeding on the backs of slaves and until that is acknowledged and made good, then success in this so-called country of opportunity will be hollow. You can't make token efforts. You have to mean it. It has to hurt. I'm quite sure Mr. Dyson understood quite well that he only had to push the money button to really get the white folks mad. Share people. Share the burden, share the history, share the pain, share the injustice. And share your money. I am a white person who is trying to understand and fully grasp racial inequality in American society, a situation that has sickened me my whole life. I have been waiting for someone to say, "Hey, maybe you just don't know what to do, so if that's the case and you want to help, here it is." So thank you, Mr. Dyson. Frankly I'll try anything and everything because we have to make this better. And to the pathetically selfish complainers, shame on you. Put up AND shut up. At least until you have something at least SLIGHTLY empathetic to say. Flag

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Recommend Share this comment on Facebook Share this comment on Twitter Todd Stuart key west,fl January 8, 2017 You find it astonishing that most peoples default position is keeping what's theirs? It seems pretty reasonable that the onus should be on the people making a case for reparations. And in a country where the majority of citizens ancestors came here after 1865 it is a hard case to make. Flag

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Recommend Share this comment on Facebook Share this comment on Twitter Rose Anne Chicago January 8, 2017 Dyson says: "I ain't turning $25 million down." Yes, it is all about greed, all around. Flag

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Theodore Barnes Los Angeles January 8, 2017 And what about mixed race citizens descended from both slaves and slave owners?



Do they pay themselves reparations?



The whole idea is ludicrous and destructive. Flag

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G Indianapolis January 8, 2017 As a white--and trying to get woke--pediatric hospitalist, I spend extra time with my black (and other minority) patients and families, try to be extra comforting to the children and extra useful to the parents. I am conscious of this bias in how I treat my patients and have always felt a little embarrassed and guilty about this "secret" behavior. This article provides some reassurance. Flag

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Recommend Share this comment on Facebook Share this comment on Twitter Ozafira USA January 8, 2017 Same here. I'm a fireman, and I'm much more diligent and attentive to saving the homes and lives of black people than those of whites. Flag

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Tom Connor Chicopee January 8, 2017 Trauma is passed down through the generations. Expose mice to a pleasant smell followed immediately by a loud, startling, upsetting noise until they are conditioned to associate the pleasing smell with a traumatizing stimulus. Then take sperm from one of the traumatized males and artificially inseminate an unexposed female and everyone of her litter will go into traumatic shock when exposed to just the nice aroma. Without further trauma, it takes five generations of mice before the effects wear off. Often a trait which is considered purely genetic in humans is actually an echo of past injury.



250 years of slavery, 100 years of Jim Crow, ongoing criminal injustice towards Blacks in the form of police brutality and mass incarceration, housing discrimination and inferior schools guarantee many more generations of sizable injury to Black potential.



How is this good for our collective future? Please stop the madness. Flag

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Recommend Share this comment on Facebook Share this comment on Twitter Ricardo de la O Montevideo January 8, 2017 Please stop this ridiculous whining. Many of us had nothing to do with slavery. Many of our family members suffered discrimination from people who arrived from Europe after we did. We got over it, so should you. Flag

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Recommend Share this comment on Facebook Share this comment on Twitter Tom Connor Chicopee January 9, 2017 Are your people CURRENTLY being shot down in the streets by rogue cops? Discriminated against in housing and employment? Would you be scared for your son's safety if he happened to be Black? Flag

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