Home Attacks from the Left This City Takes The Lead In Progressive Nonsense

This City Takes The Lead In Progressive Nonsense

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This City Takes The Lead In Progressive Nonsense

Evanston, Illinois is taking the lead in the latest bit of progressive nonsense — again.  This time it is the issue of reparations.  The City Council has set aside approximately $10 million to pay reparations to compensate for slavery and years of oppression.  According to media reports, some Black folks will be paid up to $25,000 in compensation.

The legal concept of reparations is usually a matter left up to the courts where there is specific evidence that a real live person (or entity) suffered unfair losses due to the corrupt actions of another real live person (or entity).  It is also used against nations that have waged and lost wars.  Germany finally paid its last reparations for the damage caused by World War II in 2010.

Reparations have historically been a resolution when there is a wronged party and a wrong party.  It is only by a complete stretch of logic and tradition – and a total commitment to crass politics – that a great-great-great-grandchild of a wronged party should be compensated by the great-great- great-grandchild of a wrong party – or even worse, the great-great-great-grandchild of a party who did no wrong.  My ancestors were not involved in slavery in any manner – having arrived from non-slave nations after slavery had ended.  We were not even involved in Black oppression because we were not Democrats.

When President Clinton brought up the idea of reparations in the 1990s, I suggested that if … IF … we were to justly apply the concept of reparations we should apply it to those provably responsible – the Democratic Party.  Anyone whose ancestors were Republicans should be exempt from paying reparations.

There may have been a time when reparations for slavery made sense.  That would have been at the end of the Civil War. In fact, there were efforts toward reparations – including that old “ten acres and a mule” program.

It would take a community like Evanston to jump both feet into the issue of reparations.

I not only look at Evanston, Illinois through the distant lens of a public policy commentator, but as a former resident.  It was a wonderful place to live as long as you tolerate the characteristically arrogant left-wing political leadership.  I tried to help by running for alderman as the “common sense” candidate.  Of course, I lost.

I also tried to address the racial issues in this highly segregated and oppressive left-wing (hypocritical) community.  A young Black activist named Hecky Powell and I co-founded The Evanston Coalition.  We did draw attention to the problems, but – to be honest – we did not have a lot of success against the racist liberal culture.

Just to give you an idea of what Evanston is like, here are a couple of quick examples.  Progressives love symbolic gestures that have no real meaning.  Sooo … the Evanston City Council once voted to declare their small community a “nuclear free zone” – and signs with that message sprung up all over town.  One can only imagine the fear that put into the hearts of the Russians and Chinese.

When my company represented a cable company implementing a contract with Evanston, the City leaders insisted that they needed five or six public access channels.  We advised no more than two – based on experience in other communities.

We were told they absolutely needed more because … the people of Evanston were more sophisticated, intelligent, and civic-minded than most people.  (Does that sound like typical left-wing arrogance?)  Weeell … once the service was operating, there was no greater usage than any other town – exploding the ever-present myth of liberal superiority.

I had a religious experience in Evanston.  (No, not that kind.)  I quit our Episcopal Church when the pastor used the commons room – where we usually exchanged niceties over coffee and cookies after the Sunday service – to erect a display accusing America of war crimes in World War II.

What I really liked about Evanston, however, was my neighborhood.  We were a highly engaged block – we seemed to be constantly socializing.  We drank a lot in those days – which may be what made the politics of Evanston tolerable.

I always thought of Evanston as the Vermont of the Midwest — a bastion of silly left-wing culture … a Twilight Zone where reality and common sense did not exist.

So, there ‘tis.

8 COMMENTS

  1. To my understanding. Other countries were responsible for bring slaves to America. And many of us not black were slaves too. So that means we’re entitled to compensation also. So is England the responsible party. I am so called white but not English!

  2. I’ll say it again, “THERE IS NO CURE FOR STUPID!”
    I’m so glad I don’t live there.
    Wait a minute. … My wife is “Native American.” If we move there, WILL THEY PAY US? ………..

  3. Reparation is an interesting idea. I challenge anyone who is in favor of this to research blacks who were slave owners. And while your are at it, research whites who were owned by blacks. Oh, and what about white indentures servant and the kind of living conditions they endured. There were Indians who owned slaves, other Indians, whites and blacks. Slavery is hardy a thing that began in America in the 1600’s. Slavery is thousands of years old. Check it out for yourself then come back and tell what your reaction is.

  4. I would believe the best form of reparation has already taken place; the civil war, where multiple thousands died to end slavery! Freedom is always more important than money…the leadership in Evanston is as intelligent and the leadership in Washington…absolute idiots! President Lincoln should always be honored by every single American!

  5. I am absolutely in favor of reparations for slavery.
    So was the US government in 1865 when they said they would give freed slaves 40 acres and a mule.

    So now, any former slave who can show he did not get his 40 acres and a mule should be able to be reimbursed the current value of those two items.

    This is only available to those who were actually slaves. That should completely settle the question.

    What Evanston, Illinois City Council is proposing is THEFT of Taxpayer money.
    Evanston, Illinois City Council is Breaking the Law and are Crooks.

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