Reparations In The Case For Reparations And The Marrow Of Tradition
Both “The Case for Reparations” and The Marrow of Tradition, examine the issue of reparations in return for the egregious injustices committed in the form of slavery by our predecessors. The cornerstone of this problem is that after years of generational oppression and discrimination, what form will this reparation end up taking? A reparation that is based on doling out mere financial support for those that endured the brutality of slavery is unreasonable. It is an insult to the blacks that were subjugated in the slave economy of the past under the guise of racial superiority. Simply treating this issue in a one-dimensional viewpoint that can be solved through a monetary basis will not suffice and is stripping from it the aspect of humanity.
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Their freedom to live was snatched with slavery and socioeconomic mobility was taken from them with the advent of laws that imposed segregation. A moral and spiritual awakening must occur in the United States, where we stop hiding from our tarnished past and actually make the effort to learn from the mistakes of our past. The underlying issue is that there is a need for a cultural shift in society today. While we all possess the ability to acknowledge our past transgressions and highlight the faults our troubled past, some are not willing to admit such. Therefore, how can one fix a problem so enormous that affected the lives of millions, when certain members of society are not even willing to admit such a problem existed in the first place. Furthermore, no data set or sociological research study can do any justice to such an open-ended issue. Literature however, can offer new insights that can lead to shattering preconceived notions. If we reach the point where collectively, as a nation, we are willing to admit that we committed a grave sin in enslaving a people and taking away their humanity, then we can finally cement the idea that slavery was wrong and that there are no grounds for supporting it. The cascade of injustices triggered during the era of slavery and segregation, highlight the tormented existence of the black population, when they were stripped of the most basic human privileges of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The notion that absolute atonement for slavery is possible, is not feasible as the wound will always exist in the hearts of those that endured. The novel presents us with the dichotomous nature of the definition of justice, that can come in the form of vengeance through violence, evident in the case of Josh Green or through the power of diction, an almost poetic justice in the case of Janet Miller. The animosity that Josh Green possesses for Captain McBane and the revenge he seeks is symbolic of being a product of the hateful ideology of the “old South”, which was predicated on the notion of white supremacy and mistreatment of blacks. The old South is characterized in the following quote, “No; but we thought to overrule God’s laws, and we enslaved these people for our greed…laying to our souls the flattering unction that we were making of barbarous negroes civilized and Christian men” (Chesnutt 173). Captain McBane was responsible for the death of Green’s father, which scarred Josh as a child and became his sole motivation in wanting to one day kill him. Dr. Miller acted to quell his rage, bringing up the tenets of Christianity in forgiving and absolving his enemy crime, but Josh remained obstinate in his beliefs. The reality was that such a crime could never be forgotten and shaped his mindset as an individual. A key point that Green makes, opens his eyes to the futility of peaceful means for achieving his goal, “But it ‘pears ter me dat dis fergitfulniss n’ fergivniss is mighty one-sided. De w’ite folks don’ forgive nothin’ de niggers does” (Chesnutt 115). While Green’s cause was a noble cause and he was successful in his endeavor of killing McBane, the manner in which he did so equated him in the brutality of McBane. Josh got his revenge, however, ended up dying and accomplishing nothing for his people, but simple self-fulfillment, the injustice still remained, “…but such a revenge would do no good, would right no wrong; while every such crime, committed by a colored man, would be imputed to the race…in the eyes of the public, it must answer as a whole for the offenses of each separate individual” (Chesnutt 115). All the hard work of Dr. Miller was in a sense wasted since the hospital was burned down and for such a small victory, the rest of the blacks would pay the price. Josh and his family had endured decades of punishment, but it still did not make him morally superior by taking the life of another person. Two wrongs do not make a right and the novel is teaching a lesson in a sense, that violence is not a means for achieving any understanding or lasting peace between individuals.
A pivotal moment in the novel that highlights the issue of justice was when Carteret implored Miller to help his son, “Miller’s refusal to go with him was pure, elemental justice; he could not blame the doctor for his stand. He was indeed conscious of a certain involuntary admiration for a man that held in his hands the power of life and death, and could use it, with strict justice, to avenge his own wrongs” (Chesnutt 241). Here the tables have turned and Dr. Miller possesses the upper hand in dictating the outcome of what transpires. When both men, are now on an equal footing, we see their true character and it is remarkable to see that Dr. Miller, who was discriminated against ends up showing that he is willing to look past their differences. This exact quality is what must exist between all blacks and whites and reparation can only come about when differences are met with and vanished with amicability, “A celebrated traveler, after many years spent in barbarous or savage lands, has said that among all varieties of mankind the similarities are vastly more important and fundamental than differences” (Chesnutt 74). However, the complication that arises is that no true reconciliation took place between Miller and Carteret. Carteret acknowledged that he had wronged Miller and Miller recognized this, however, all that they could share was a mutual blame. Nothing progressive came about from their encounter and it just ended up serving as a stark reminder of past injustices. It is like a blank canvas that is painted with the confession of the crimes and injustices between the two men and then simply tossed away. Furthermore, by analyzing the relationship between Janet Miller and Olivia Carteret, we see a non-violent approach to exacting justice in the face of mistreatment and wrongdoing, a poetic justice.
Janet was ostracized by Olivia and cheated out of her inheritance. When Olivia comes to the realization that Janet was wronged in not receiving her rightful inheritance, it dawns upon her how closely the past and present intertwine. It brings to light the idea of reparations and Olivia realizes the grave nature of the life she is living: “If the woman had been white, —but the woman had not been white, and the same rule of moral conduct did not, could not, in the very nature of things, apply, as between white people! For, if this were not so, slavery had been, not merely, an economic mistake, but a great crime against humanity” (Chesnutt 208). It is almost as if she refuses to believe that blacks deserve an equal level of treatment and she is skirting her sense of obligation to the issue at hand. Indirectly she is implying that blacks do not deserve any compensation and no wrong-doing has been done upon them since they are not equals in humanity with whites. However, her belief that whites are superior and that blacks possess no rights as equals or even individuals is shattered. When in time of grave need when Dodie is nearing death, she swallows her pride and asks for the help of a black doctor, Dr. Miller. Olivia asking for the help of black doctor symbolizes how we have the capability to treat each other as equals in humanity and be compassionate, the color of our skin should not act as a barrier that only serves to invoke hatred. The manner in which Janet chooses to help save Olivia’s son is symbolic of her morality and willingness to bridge the gap between black and white, “But that you may know that a woman may be foully wronged, and yet have a heart to feel, even for one who has injured her, you may have your child’s life…” (Chesnutt 246). A woman, of a different
color, who refused to call her sister was now pleading in front of her, and Janet chose to transcend the boundaries of race and empathized with her pain after losing her own son. This to me represents the pinnacle of human compassion, and what the true nature of any reparation must encompass.
These ideas of justice as perceived by Josh Green, Olivia Carteret, and Dr. Miller and the manner in which it is exacted can offer some insight in applying this same concept of justice to the case of reparations for slavery, even though the issue is far more complicated. In the case of Josh Green, we see that violence as a means of exacting revenge proves to cause more damage than good. Also, while Janet does get her inheritance, it is bittersweet and only a hollow victory as she knows she was still wronged and the injustice still happened. Therefore, this raises the question of even if reparations were handed out to individual’s that were wronged, how exactly will that absolve the sins of the past? Is this discussion bound to end in futility, as we are aware of all the forms of justice, but what will come from it all? Janet, sternly states to Olivia, “Stay—do not go yet!” commanded Janet imperiously, her pride still keeping back her tears. I have not done. I throw you back your father’s name, your father’s wealth, your sisterly recognition. I want none of them…” (Chesnutt 246). Janet doesn’t even want her sisterhood and is metaphorically freeing herself of her hurtful acquaintance with Olivia. Such a statement is symbolic of the idea that reparations are not going to heal the wounds of those that were cheated out of fair opportunity and an equal treatment in society.
Ultimately, the case for reparations is a complex issue that needs further dialogue between blacks and whites. As evident in the novel, violence is not a means for reaching lasting peace and forgiveness does actually turn out to be a major asset in moving on from past wrongdoings. However, the ones who have oppressed the victims must also recognize their faults and lessons should be learned from their actions. As a nation, we can show our solidarity and denounce such a heinous act as slavery by coming together and putting our differences aside, standing up for our brethren who were wronged, and admitting our faults while taking into account the social, economic, moral, and political aftershocks, so the veil of indecision can be at last lifted.
Their freedom to live was snatched with slavery and socioeconomic mobility was taken from them with the advent of laws that imposed segregation. A moral and spiritual awakening must occur in the United States, where we stop hiding from our tarnished past and actually make the effort to learn from the mistakes of our past. The underlying issue is that there is a need for a cultural shift in society today. While we all possess the ability to acknowledge our past transgressions and highlight the faults our troubled past, some are not willing to admit such. Therefore, how can one fix a problem so enormous that affected the lives of millions, when certain members of society are not even willing to admit such a problem existed in the first place. Furthermore, no data set or sociological research study can do any justice to such an open-ended issue. Literature however, can offer new insights that can lead to shattering preconceived notions. If we reach the point where collectively, as a nation, we are willing to admit that we committed a grave sin in enslaving a people and taking away their humanity, then we can finally cement the idea that slavery was wrong and that there are no grounds for supporting it. The cascade of injustices triggered during the era of slavery and segregation, highlight the tormented existence of the black population, when they were stripped of the most basic human privileges of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The notion that absolute atonement for slavery is possible, is not feasible as the wound will always exist in the hearts of those that endured. The novel presents us with the dichotomous nature of the definition of justice, that can come in the form of vengeance through violence, evident in the case of Josh Green or through the power of diction, an almost poetic justice in the case of Janet Miller. The animosity that Josh Green possesses for Captain McBane and the revenge he seeks is symbolic of being a product of the hateful ideology of the “old South”, which was predicated on the notion of white supremacy and mistreatment of blacks. The old South is characterized in the following quote, “No; but we thought to overrule God’s laws, and we enslaved these people for our greed…laying to our souls the flattering unction that we were making of barbarous negroes civilized and Christian men” (Chesnutt 173). Captain McBane was responsible for the death of Green’s father, which scarred Josh as a child and became his sole motivation in wanting to one day kill him. Dr. Miller acted to quell his rage, bringing up the tenets of Christianity in forgiving and absolving his enemy crime, but Josh remained obstinate in his beliefs. The reality was that such a crime could never be forgotten and shaped his mindset as an individual. A key point that Green makes, opens his eyes to the futility of peaceful means for achieving his goal, “But it ‘pears ter me dat dis fergitfulniss n’ fergivniss is mighty one-sided. De w’ite folks don’ forgive nothin’ de niggers does” (Chesnutt 115). While Green’s cause was a noble cause and he was successful in his endeavor of killing McBane, the manner in which he did so equated him in the brutality of McBane. Josh got his revenge, however, ended up dying and accomplishing nothing for his people, but simple self-fulfillment, the injustice still remained, “…but such a revenge would do no good, would right no wrong; while every such crime, committed by a colored man, would be imputed to the race…in the eyes of the public, it must answer as a whole for the offenses of each separate individual” (Chesnutt 115). All the hard work of Dr. Miller was in a sense wasted since the hospital was burned down and for such a small victory, the rest of the blacks would pay the price. Josh and his family had endured decades of punishment, but it still did not make him morally superior by taking the life of another person. Two wrongs do not make a right and the novel is teaching a lesson in a sense, that violence is not a means for achieving any understanding or lasting peace between individuals.
A pivotal moment in the novel that highlights the issue of justice was when Carteret implored Miller to help his son, “Miller’s refusal to go with him was pure, elemental justice; he could not blame the doctor for his stand. He was indeed conscious of a certain involuntary admiration for a man that held in his hands the power of life and death, and could use it, with strict justice, to avenge his own wrongs” (Chesnutt 241). Here the tables have turned and Dr. Miller possesses the upper hand in dictating the outcome of what transpires. When both men, are now on an equal footing, we see their true character and it is remarkable to see that Dr. Miller, who was discriminated against ends up showing that he is willing to look past their differences. This exact quality is what must exist between all blacks and whites and reparation can only come about when differences are met with and vanished with amicability, “A celebrated traveler, after many years spent in barbarous or savage lands, has said that among all varieties of mankind the similarities are vastly more important and fundamental than differences” (Chesnutt 74). However, the complication that arises is that no true reconciliation took place between Miller and Carteret. Carteret acknowledged that he had wronged Miller and Miller recognized this, however, all that they could share was a mutual blame. Nothing progressive came about from their encounter and it just ended up serving as a stark reminder of past injustices. It is like a blank canvas that is painted with the confession of the crimes and injustices between the two men and then simply tossed away. Furthermore, by analyzing the relationship between Janet Miller and Olivia Carteret, we see a non-violent approach to exacting justice in the face of mistreatment and wrongdoing, a poetic justice.
Janet was ostracized by Olivia and cheated out of her inheritance. When Olivia comes to the realization that Janet was wronged in not receiving her rightful inheritance, it dawns upon her how closely the past and present intertwine. It brings to light the idea of reparations and Olivia realizes the grave nature of the life she is living: “If the woman had been white, —but the woman had not been white, and the same rule of moral conduct did not, could not, in the very nature of things, apply, as between white people! For, if this were not so, slavery had been, not merely, an economic mistake, but a great crime against humanity” (Chesnutt 208). It is almost as if she refuses to believe that blacks deserve an equal level of treatment and she is skirting her sense of obligation to the issue at hand. Indirectly she is implying that blacks do not deserve any compensation and no wrong-doing has been done upon them since they are not equals in humanity with whites. However, her belief that whites are superior and that blacks possess no rights as equals or even individuals is shattered. When in time of grave need when Dodie is nearing death, she swallows her pride and asks for the help of a black doctor, Dr. Miller. Olivia asking for the help of black doctor symbolizes how we have the capability to treat each other as equals in humanity and be compassionate, the color of our skin should not act as a barrier that only serves to invoke hatred. The manner in which Janet chooses to help save Olivia’s son is symbolic of her morality and willingness to bridge the gap between black and white, “But that you may know that a woman may be foully wronged, and yet have a heart to feel, even for one who has injured her, you may have your child’s life…” (Chesnutt 246). A woman, of a different
color, who refused to call her sister was now pleading in front of her, and Janet chose to transcend the boundaries of race and empathized with her pain after losing her own son. This to me represents the pinnacle of human compassion, and what the true nature of any reparation must encompass.
These ideas of justice as perceived by Josh Green, Olivia Carteret, and Dr. Miller and the manner in which it is exacted can offer some insight in applying this same concept of justice to the case of reparations for slavery, even though the issue is far more complicated. In the case of Josh Green, we see that violence as a means of exacting revenge proves to cause more damage than good. Also, while Janet does get her inheritance, it is bittersweet and only a hollow victory as she knows she was still wronged and the injustice still happened. Therefore, this raises the question of even if reparations were handed out to individual’s that were wronged, how exactly will that absolve the sins of the past? Is this discussion bound to end in futility, as we are aware of all the forms of justice, but what will come from it all? Janet, sternly states to Olivia, “Stay—do not go yet!” commanded Janet imperiously, her pride still keeping back her tears. I have not done. I throw you back your father’s name, your father’s wealth, your sisterly recognition. I want none of them…” (Chesnutt 246). Janet doesn’t even want her sisterhood and is metaphorically freeing herself of her hurtful acquaintance with Olivia. Such a statement is symbolic of the idea that reparations are not going to heal the wounds of those that were cheated out of fair opportunity and an equal treatment in society.
Ultimately, the case for reparations is a complex issue that needs further dialogue between blacks and whites. As evident in the novel, violence is not a means for reaching lasting peace and forgiveness does actually turn out to be a major asset in moving on from past wrongdoings. However, the ones who have oppressed the victims must also recognize their faults and lessons should be learned from their actions. As a nation, we can show our solidarity and denounce such a heinous act as slavery by coming together and putting our differences aside, standing up for our brethren who were wronged, and admitting our faults while taking into account the social, economic, moral, and political aftershocks, so the veil of indecision can be at last lifted.