Slavery in America Is Not Ancient History
Neither is the fighting that ended it. By Readers Aug. 20, 2023 10:19 am ET At the March on Juneteenth rally in Washington, June 19. Photo: Bryan Olin Dozier/Zuma Press Gerard Leval’s “What the Bible Says About Reparations” (Houses of Worship, Aug. 18) suggests that he thinks slavery is ancient history. On the contrary: I am 52 years old and am only the fourth generation from slavery. My great-grandparents were enslaved as children. Thanks to the U.S. military, I am also among the first generation in my family to attend integrated K-12 schools. My parents were forced to attend substandard segregated schools for the entirety of their K-12 experience. Mr. Leval uses the Bible to argue that reparations should be paid only to those who are three to four generations removed from a harmful deed. If that’s the case, then it’s time to pay
At the March on Juneteenth rally in Washington, June 19.
Photo: Bryan Olin Dozier/Zuma Press
Gerard Leval’s “What the Bible Says About Reparations” (Houses of Worship, Aug. 18) suggests that he thinks slavery is ancient history. On the contrary: I am 52 years old and am only the fourth generation from slavery. My great-grandparents were enslaved as children. Thanks to the U.S. military, I am also among the first generation in my family to attend integrated K-12 schools. My parents were forced to attend substandard segregated schools for the entirety of their K-12 experience.
Mr. Leval uses the Bible to argue that reparations should be paid only to those who are three to four generations removed from a harmful deed. If that’s the case, then it’s time to pay up. I and many others like me look forward to receiving 40 acres and a mule, plus interest. While the checkbook is out, payment should also be made for the degradation my parents and grandparents endured as a result of Jim Crow segregation.
Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, Ph.D.
Baltimore
In making his argument about reparations in America, Mr. Leval refers to Passover, noting that the Jews “also remember the death and destruction of the Egyptians—not as an act of triumphalism but rather out of compassion for the suffering of fellow human beings.” What about the thousands of men and boys who died to free the slaves? Do their families deserve reparations?
James Bruni
Wrightstown, N.J.
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