Reparations

It is unfortunate that the reader who commented that African Americans should “view themselves as among the most fortunate people in the world to be in the United States rather than sub-Saharan Africa” (letter, May 15) is disturbed that this group has the audacity to seek reparations. I guess if you are of African descent, you should also feel fortunate that your descendants were forcibly brought to a country to be enslaved, raped, beaten, killed and not allowed to read. Lucky for them they were taken out of Africa, right?

Affirmative action was not considered to be reparation for the 200 years of slavery our ancestors endured. Mainstream America would like the subject of slavery to go away, and it is downplayed every time it comes up. My favorite is “get over it.” It’s difficult to get over the fact that your genealogy inquisitions lead you to the slave owner as your ancestor.

Robyn Sharpe

Pasadena