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I'm just a single generation away from poverty to the point of - on one side of my family - actual infant malnutrition. Why am I supposed to feel responsible fo
by growlist 6y ago
I'm just a single generation away from poverty to the point of - on one side of my family - actual infant malnutrition. Why am I supposed to feel responsible for the actions of people that were geographically and ethnically distinct from my ancestors, simply because they happened to share the same skin colour and kingdom? Not many people in industrial Wales seemed to share in the benefits of colonialism. Many of the British elite were/are Norman: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2479271/1-000-years-invaded-need-Norman-like-Darcy-Percy-ahead.html https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2479271/1-000-years...
- marci 6y agoI've heard/read that many times, but I've never heard/read anyone saying that people should feel responsible for the sins of their forefathers, let alone for the actions of people with whom they share skin color. I would love to be pointed to a conversation or an article that frames things that way.
- radegast 6y agoThere ya go https://www.forbes.com/sites/sethcohen/2020/06/28/reparations-now/#75c8e0ce547e https://www.forbes.com/sites/sethcohen/2020/06/28/reparation...
- marci 6y agoThanks. At least this article (partially) answers "Why am I supposed to feel responsible for the actions of people that were geographically and ethnically distinct from my ancestors, simply because they happened to share the same skin colour and kingdom?", but one first need to (as said in the article) "fully grasp the full benefit and privileges they have received" as a group, not a matter of rich vs poor, otherwise the point of the article is probably moot, especially if you've never heard of red lining or gerrymandering.
- growlist 6y ago> "fully grasp the full benefit and privileges they have received" When do I get my reparations from the Normans? Or the Romans? Is there a time limit?
- marci 6y agoThe article was referring to the USA situation. The difference between their situation and the Romans is that some of the people who played a part to the present situation (policies, laws, housing, blocking access to education...) are very much alive. > Not many people in industrial Wales seemed to share in the benefits of colonialism. I guess Welsh economy also profited (to a lesser extant) from slavery [1][2]. But if Normans purposefully enact systems that benefits them at the expanse of Welsh, solely (or even in part) because of their welshness, then of course you are legitimate to fight against it (if I understood you correctly). [1] https://history.research.southwales.ac.uk/news/atlantic-slavery-left-its-mark-not-just-wealthy-city-centres-among-rural-poor-too/ https://history.research.southwales.ac.uk/news/atlantic-slav... [2] https://history.research.southwales.ac.uk/news/wales-and-atlantic-slavery-tracking-connections/ https://history.research.southwales.ac.uk/news/wales-and-atl...
- radegast 6y agoDo I have to spoonfeed you everything? Jesus, you Marxists are so goddamn dumb.
- keenmaster 6y agoI feel like that's besides the point. A vast majority of reasonable people don't want you personally to feel responsible for the ills of colonialism.
- SaberTail 6y agoYou're conflating guilt and responsibility. An analogy: Suppose that at work, some critical system belonging to another team blows up, and everyone is asked to help fix it. It's not useful to complain that it's that other team's fault. The mess is there, and it needs to be fixed. Even though you don't share in the guilt for it blowing up, you're still responsible for fixing it.
- growlist 6y agoI don't see anyone rushing to make amends for the grinding poverty much of the population of the UK suffered. Funny that.