Ken is the most accurate in his recollection about what the mayoral
candidates said about reparations at the Green Party endorsement
convention. Lisa McDonald is the one who said she read the book, and
would support the concept of reparations. She noted that since the book
did not provide specific proposals, it was not yet necessary to address
the costs. Lisa's response followed RT, who stated that he could not
take a position on reparations without first knowing the cost. (He
refused to either support or oppose it on principle, to the frustration
of the questioner and at least a few others of us in the audience).
Lisa definitely had the more informed and thoughtful position on this
matter, although as her response implicitly acknolwedged, it is easier
to support a proposal in theory. It is frankly bothersome that a couple
of previous posters seem to base their recollection on candidate
preference rather than reality.
I also think that Ken's analysis of the merits of reparations is
succinctly right on target.
Jordan Kushner
Powderhorn
ken avidor wrote:
>
> Responding to Robert Yorga:
>
> I was at the Green Party endorsing convention and I distinctly remember Lisa
>McDonald responding to the question about
> reparations positively and mentioning Randall Robinson's book. She said although
>reparations was a Federal matter, she would
> instruct the city's lobbyist in Washington to seek help.
> I distinctly remember R.T. Rybak saying he was against reparations because they
>"would cost too much". I don't remember
> him mentioning Randall Robinson's book.
> Perhaps the people on the Greens screening committee who are on this list can
>set the record straight.
>
> Responding to David Brauer:
>
> Germany has paid reparations for many years and is still the economic powerhouse
>of Europe. The U.S. recently paid
> reparations to the Japanese-Americans for their internment during WWII and we're
>still going strong. There is no evidence
> that the Federal Government , which spends billions on all kinds of stupid and
>harmful stuff like Star Wars and drug wars in
> Colombia , will suffer for doing the right thing. Both major political parties have
>no problem giving money directly to
> people and corporations in the form of tax-breaks, I guess tax-breaks could be
>called reparations for rich people.
> Since reparations will likely come in the form of increased federal funding for
>housing and education for low-income
> African-Americans , it would be very "fiscally conservative" and just plain smart
>for a mayor of a big city like ours to
> endorse reparations.
> I read a news story that Johnny Cochrane is preparing to sue the Federal
>Government for reparations. My personal point of
> view is the U.S. Government should do the right thing , say they're sorry and help
>the people who are still suffering from our
> nation's legacy of injustice and neglect.
>
> -Ken Avidor
> Kingfield
>
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