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- HR 40 is mentioned on page 14, 15, 34 and 40
- Coates suggests in the first mention of the HR 40 that justice may be the problem, and not the money of the reparations. He means that if justice were to be given, the American Government would have to admit they’re wrong, and that all that this country is built on is disadvantaging and dehumanizing blacks for their own benefit. And this justice, is a big ask, that unfortunately will probably never be solved.
- Coates states “That HR 40 has never — under either Democrats or Republicans — made it to the House floor suggests our concerns are rooted not in the impracticality of reparations but in something more existential” (Coates 15). He is saying these reparations have more to do with their existences in the country, and how they have played a role in building the democracy on their misfortune. If this were to be put into the House, they would have no choice but to admit that this country was built on bills and whites purposefully ruining the lives of millions of blacks to benefit not only themselves, but the country. The democracy is old and outdated, and still disadvantaging blacks to this day. They are knowledgeable about this, but clearly their ego is more important than the ruined lives everyday of blacks.
- If the reparations were given, this would be a treat to the whole American Democracy and all this country was built on. If the black people today were given reparations for all they have endured for centuries, the government would go against what they’re ‘great’ ancestors have set for them. But my question is, is going against what the builders of America worse than pretending we do not see their grave mistakes? I think we know what the American Government thinks, since they have not repaid them STILL, and still have laws in place to disadvantage them in 2021, that were made 200 years ago.
- The childhood myth could be that Americans feel bad and recognize all they have done to ruin the lives of blacks for centuries. He challenges this myth that American is great and this is where people come to make their dreams come true. But the only way to make your dreams come true is if you are White. America is not made to allow blacks, or even other minorities, to have the same privileges or opportunities whites have. This is another lie American sits on, and allows people to believe.
