Reparations necessary

The deepest flaw of the U.N. Conference Against Racism was the United States of America. The hypocrisy of the African slave trade is not the issue. Considering that colonial slave traders and their ilk removed a continent of indigenous people, it stands to reason that African leaders of the past would merrily cooperate to maintain their own.

The U.S. disagreement with accusations against Israel is more hocus-pocus. People of color around the globe recognize hatred and annihilation and do not accept economics as justification. The U.S. overlooks flaws within the Zionist movement, and economic ties with Israel are no longer acceptable rationale.

The second item that the U.S. wishes deleted, an apology and reparations for slavery, is another hypocrisy based on paternalistic arrogance which prevents the U.S. from admitting visible wrongs.

No atrocity in the history of the world has fueled and maintained a global economy the way U.S. slavery has. Many institutions here and abroad have benefited from years of free labor. Had there been a fair, moral labor system in place, this country would have been too tired to do anything other than mind its business.

Reparations and an apology are necessary to define the moral fiber of this country. Dignity can and will be restored with an apology and acknowledgment of past ills that have established and maintained the present success of many while systematically destroying others.

ANISSA ALI

Malvern