Nobody should be crippled by guilt - but todays generations ought to damned well be held responsible for the wealth they enjoy as a result of the slaves their parents owned. It wasn't that long ago, and we still have people in modern society who are responsible for atrocities, yet are nevertheless getting away with it - because, as you say, 'people dont live in the past' ..
but todays generations ought to damned well be held responsible for the wealth they enjoy as a result of the slaves their parents owned.
No. People should by all means recognise the privilege they have and make ethical decisions based on that privilege - but they shouldn't be 'held responsible' for it as if they're criminals themselves.
The slaves their parents owned? My parents were born considerably after the Emancipation Proclamation. As for my more distant ancestors, I have no idea whether any of them owned slaves. I do know that a bunch were serfs. Let me know where to send the bill.
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Nobody should be crippled by guilt - but todays generations ought to damned well be held responsible for the wealth they enjoy as a result of the slaves their parents owned. It wasn't that long ago, and we still have people in modern society who are responsible for atrocities, yet are nevertheless getting away with it - because, as you say, 'people dont live in the past' ..
No. People should by all means recognise the privilege they have and make ethical decisions based on that privilege - but they shouldn't be 'held responsible' for it as if they're criminals themselves.
The slaves their parents owned? My parents were born considerably after the Emancipation Proclamation. As for my more distant ancestors, I have no idea whether any of them owned slaves. I do know that a bunch were serfs. Let me know where to send the bill.