It's tempting to take this point of view, especially when it's your own ancestors that transgressed. But it's also important to realize when, generations later,

It's tempting to take this point of view, especially when it's your own ancestors that transgressed. But it's also important to realize when, generations later, the victims of those transgressions are still feeling their impact. It's a touchy subject and we have to guard against the language we use to talk about these things. We can't talk about sins or blame---no one is to blame for the actions of their ancestors. But I don't think it's out the question to say that those who's families benefited from exploiting or hurting others have a responsibility to make reasonable accommodations that help remedy current legacies of those misdeeds. What constitutes reasonable, of course, is debatable, but the responsibility, to me, isn't.