Provoked Thoughts Call It What You Want But Reparations Are Due

The Environmental Protection Agency study, released days after Hurricane Ida battered Black communities in Louisiana in 2009 found that Americans of color are more likely to die or lose work from extreme heat due to climate change. The report, which examines what will happen if the planet warms 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) compared to pre-industrial levels, projects Black people are 40 percent more likely to live in places where extreme temperatures will cause higher mortality. This nation must understand and comprehend the current and future African Americans' position, economically, socially, environmentally, and healthwise in the United States.  You cannot ignore the circumstances or the negative consequences that the decimation of the environment is having on African Americans in this nation. The position of African Americans isn't going to improve in this nation without fundamental and structural policies that will benefit our coming generations. The first and foremost directive that must be advanced and can no longer can be ignored is a policy of reparations that is due to our black communities. In order to battle against the forces of bigotry and racism that has put African Americans in this precarious position gaps that have been formed historically must be closed meaningfully. You can call this gap-closer anything you want if the term reparations offends various sectors of this nation but an economic gap-closer that will improve the standard of living for African Americans is vital and will be life-saving for black communities to protect those communities from further devastation due to the multiple negative factors that our communities will face in the coming decades. No more false promises will be acceptable from either political party. Currently in two prominent African American cities Flint, Michigan and Jackson, Mississippi, residents cannot drink the water due to environmental conditions that have poisoned this essential resource. If we want our future generations to survive, not prosper but survive, reparations due is the only solution that can bring this to fruition. Closing the gaps and refilling or filling the pools of opportunities to live healthy normal lives must be the major objective for this nation to offer all its citizens not just a fortunate few.