by Latrevia Chatman

Created on: February 19, 2009

America should not pay restitution to slave descendants. Instead, the money that would be given should be used to support inner city schools, rebuild dilapidated housing, and fund programs that are needed to help rehabilitate individuals from drugs and alcohol. Researching and affirming descendents of slaves would take too much time, and the money to fund it would be insurmountable. An example of such situation would be equivalent to tracking the families of slaves that were left on Africa.

America is the land of the free and home of the brave. However, it depends on where you live. Not everyone can afford to pack their family and move to other locations, so it's best to better the communities. Drugs, alcohol and gang violence occur in areas, where people feel no way out. By allowing the same people to see that there is hope, is the only way to improve the situation. Within inner cities across the United States, people same feel way, forgotten.

Allowing communities to breakdown and become overrun by criminals is the responsibility of the government. Is it enough to attend a school with a remedial curriculum, uncaring administration and a building in need of a bull dozer, but to go home where your living quarters are just the same is irresponsible. It's hard to understand how some structures that should be banned, have occupants that are made to pay rent of any kind. It's unbelievable. People want help; they just need someone willing to provide it.

Drugs and alcohol are affecting communities nationwide. By providing effective rehabilitation instead of jail time, will only help people better themselves. When working on the root of issues, it will allow restoration and give the communities a fighting chance to improve their way of life.

In conclusion, I believe that restitution money should be used to help out struggling urban areas. By doing so, the money not only benefits the inner city, but provides reassurance for those who could not find a helping hand. Also, it teaches a lesson, that what may seem like a good idea individually, works out better collectively.

Also, I would like to address the ridiculous similar argument concerning Native Americans. Benefiting from the government is only when a person is living on a reservation. However, the conditions of the reservations are substandard because of the type of land they were given, and its location. It's not farming land, but dry desert land unwanted by anyone. Of course they have casinos, but they provide support to the rural communities that are in dire need of assistance.

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