I don't think reparations is a dirty word and has not been discussed in an intelligent way. Unfortunately the wrong groups get the loudest voices on this subject and the same **** gets said by both sides every single time. There are nuances to this that go past slavery and touch on the legacy of slavery - for example, Jim Crow laws the govt used to continue to keep the population oppressed. Why does it always go to people thinking direct payments to people from the tax payers? I have seen items discussed that to me make sense........what about the black veterans after WWII that were denied use of the newly propped GI Bill for college? Should their families be compensated for that?
"Their families"? All people throughout history, dating back as long as humans have painted on cave walls, have warred with one another, murdered one another and yes, enslaved one another. Slavery has a history as long as human history, involving all people - every race and culture. The push for reparations has nothing to do with justice, or morality, or righteousness. Instead, it is and always has been a political tool.
That's it.
Further, if you believe that the endless push to reward one group at the expense of another will yield a good outcome, I suggest you look at history and every time that theory has been tested.