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Hundreds of years ago, innocent people residing on the continent of Africa were randomly whisked away from their homes, families and livelihoods, shackled in chains, and subsequently forced to spend weeks in the lower decks of ships crossing the Atlantic Ocean to the Western Hemisphere. The conditions were horribly unsanitary and many died along the way of starvation, thirst, or dysentery.

Upon arrival to a new and strange land which was frightening, those who managed to survive the trip were auctioned off as if they were cattle or horses and forced into involuntary servitude. Unspeakable torture by means of beating and whipping awaited anyone who failed to comply with their owner's wishes. If any attempt was made to escape this virtual imprisonment and the unfortunate individual was captured, a foot would often be chopped off with a dull axe. If the person didn't die from infection or bleed to death, they once again resumed their life of slavery; never to know freedom again. In addition, women were routinely raped or used for breeding purposes. Sometimes, children were molested.

With these facts at our disposal, reparations in monetary form to the descendants of African (and later African American) slaves undoubtedly seems like a noble gesture, but such action is simply not feasible. To begin with, the slave trade began long before America would become an independent nation, and thus it was the European culture that began this barbaric practice. It is noted; however, that these Europeans eventually became Americans, and therefore this alone becomes sufficient to fuel the argument in favor of restitution.

Although it is in hindsight to look back and thus impossible to change history, what should have taken place at the U.S. Civil War's conclusion was a massive trial against slave owners for crimes against humanity; much like the Nazi war criminals would face some 80 years later. If such court action would have been implemented, it is just possible that the relations between black and Caucasian cultures would be greatly improved. This is not to say that great strides have already been made. The Jim Crow discrimination of Americans descended from African culture endured for some 100 years after the Civil War ended; particularly in the southern states. Thankfully, such maltreatment is now a thing of the past.

While the persecution of black people is the most publicized; however, we mustn't forget the other ethnic groups who have suffered at

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