Home » Poems » L Milton Hankins » On Reparations

On Reparations

Can we ever truly right the wrongs of the past? Seems to me what was done cannot be undone, And I am not a proponent of crippling remorse So, let’s just face facts, as they were, and resolve To learn from our mistakes, moving steadily on. Must we pay the price for our ancestors’ follies, Recalling that reparations will never be enough? After all, we cannot reach those who were hurt, We cannot undo their terrible pain and suffering. I am convinced we must not reward poor excuses Who wallow in unnecessary self-pity over time, But reward those who rise above their travesties Working toward equal rights and responsibilities For the civil betterment of our inclusive society. Written July 31, 2022

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Maurice Rigoler

Date: 8/1/2022 5:26:00 AM

Another thought provoking poem from you, Milton. / Maurice

L Milton Hankins
Date: 8/1/2022 7:25:00 AM

Thank you so very much, Maurice. I am always pleased to hear from you.

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 7/31/2022 10:31:00 PM

We can never do it well enough. We must face this truth and march on, resolving to do better every day.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 8/1/2022 7:25:00 AM

So true, Caren. So true.

Steven Young

Date: 7/31/2022 6:53:00 PM

Interesting, in 1988 we paid reparation to Japanese Americans interned during WWII. It wasn't enough to make up for lost property, pets, wages and land, but as a country, we took responsibility and apologized with more than our words. To say that "end users" aren't responsible for slavery is very cynical. No, you can't right the wrongs of the past, but you can help heal them.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 8/1/2022 7:27:00 AM

That is certainly true, Steven, but I'm not convinced that throwing money at some long past injury is the best way to reparate. I should think a better way would be to bring about a needed change. I'm sorry I don't have space here to go into more detail. I really appreciate your contribution to the discussion.

Gershon Wolf

Date: 7/31/2022 6:35:00 PM

Charity: Teach a man to fish. The rest is bling-blang.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 7/31/2022 6:36:00 PM

I suppose, gw. I've never given that one much thought. I always simply do what I can and hope for the best!

Jim Slaughter

Date: 7/31/2022 11:33:00 AM

A very thoughtful piece, L M. This "reparations" nonsense is just that, in my opinion. The American plantation owners were "end users", not the suppliers. And should the Jews demand reparations from Egypt for the pharaohs who kept their ancestors in bondage for hundreds of years? If so...where would it all end?

L Milton Hankins
Date: 7/31/2022 11:56:00 AM

You make another very good point, Jim. I'm afraid, considering human history, there would be no end. I really appreciated your thought-provoking comment on my poem.

Jenna Logan

Date: 7/31/2022 11:08:00 AM

Are we to be shackled in chains for things that happened a century ago? What crime have you and I committed? There's no reparation to be made that would ever please those who expect us to pay form something we're innocent of. Respect has to be earned, and none from me if I'm asked to pay for what happened in the past.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 7/31/2022 11:17:00 AM

I feel exactly the same way, Jenna. I am very, very sorry for what happened to people in the holocaust, in the riots of the 60s, and the social injustices, but I neither caused them nor contributed to them. I say reward those people who are raising the moral standards for all of us...today! This progressive is always for moving forward, not looking backward. Thanks, Jenna, for your thoughts.

Tom Cunningham

Date: 7/31/2022 10:09:00 AM

So true Milton, what's done is done, we should not be held to account for the mistakes made by our forefathers. All we can do is show respect to our fellow human beings whatever their colour or religion. Tom

L Milton Hankins
Date: 7/31/2022 10:40:00 AM

Thanks so much, Tom, for your affirmative comment on my poem. Yes, we must show respect, as you have indicated, for everyone. After all, we are all members of the human race!