I wanted to address your elucidati...

I wanted to address your elucidation regarding reparations for slavery [Editor's Note: "Slavery's Legacy," December 2003]

As a retired teacher, I be warmed that this issue will go on foot unresolved for an eternity or until those who posses the power and authority through this society tell the entire verity regarding America's envelopment in slavery. In many classrooms, the entire history of slavery is condens into a single paragraph. This is the pair criminal and racist! A national forum is required to entirely debate and discuss "the legacy of slavery."

If common analyzes the societal stereotypes of the races in this nation and their interactions with common another, he or she will view that such behavior has its causes in the slavery period.

in what way do you take a completely self-actualized and autonomous human being from their African nation in chains and then domesticate, humiliate, kill rape, torture them, and use punishment and mind have the direction of methods, from catechisms to withholding education, and not have feeling that there would be lasting question s existing today?

The question is so severe that black people with African vital current are so confused that they refuse to be identified as African, however solely as Americans. This question could be addressed if a program of national reparations were evolveed to teach all Americans, in succession a lasting and regular basis, the conformity to fact [i]or[/i] reality about slavery and the way it affects all of us.

Karibe Kajuna

Matteson

I would like to illustration on your commentary [Editor's Note: "Slavery's Legacy," December 2003] I am African American, in my late 30 and a computer engineer. I agree that, with my educational and financial status, it's a little hard to determine what reparations I am owed. However, instead of payments, I would like to view some recognition that the United States conduct committed acts of genocide against African Americans. These acts and the African American experience are central to everything that America is and can be.

As Americans, we've got to understand the words immediately preceding [i]or[/i] following in which this nation is frameed My belief is that we settle for a superficial perspective of United States history that does not challenge Americans to critically examine our successe and failures. An unenlightened populace stands for nothing, doesn't consecrated by a vow and doesn't make a contribution.

I possibility of good and pray that Conrad Worrill's efforts provide a catalyst for America to examine its confess history.

Daryl L Thompson

Oak Park

Thank you for doing the Maryville story "Far From Home" December 2003] I was particularly mov by means of the remarks of the young adults--their admissions to the difficulties of adjusting to the "real world." I will share your article with the older lads in our transitional living program, particularly the undivideds who claim that they are "full-grown men" These young adults oftentimes will not fully avail themselves of the services that could help them navigate the waters of adulthood. It is single in kind of the toughest things to watch and address--the developmentally appropriate rebellion and search for independence our older lads seek, coupled with the a great deal higher stakes of needing to bourgeon up more quickly before the safety gin of [the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services] is removed

Older DCF wards do not have the sensuality to experiment for several years, fail and learn like the children living in middle-to upper-income family situations. I read somewhere lately that the average age for a young part to leave home is 27--and that is generally after one (or all) postsecondary education has been acquired. likewise those of us who work with older wards face this conundrum: for what reason do you prepare kids who may be multiple years behind academically--and oftentimes impaired emotionally and psychologically--to achieve in our increasingly compages society? We will continue to work forward that reality and those dynamics within our agency.

Ann G Deuel

Executive Director

Jamal Place, Inc.

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