According to Wikipedia, the late economist Robert S. Browne, estimates a fair reparation value anywhere between $1.4 to $4.7 trillion or roughly $162,000 for every black American living today” to help address the wrongs and legacy of slavery and segregation. What do you think about this? Watch the PBS video and read the Wikipedia entry on “Reparations for slavery” and write an essay arguing for or against reparations; you can also assume a neutral position, simply by listing some of the arguments for or against reparations.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Reparations for Slavery: A Complex Debate
The question of reparations for slavery and its enduring legacy is a contentious issue that continues to spark debate and division in society. Advocates argue that reparations are essential to address historical injustices and systemic inequalities, while opponents raise concerns about feasibility, fairness, and the potential implications of such measures. Taking a nuanced approach, let us explore some of the arguments for and against reparations to gain a comprehensive understanding of this complex issue.
Arguments for Reparations
1. Historical Injustice: Proponents of reparations argue that slavery and segregation have inflicted deep and lasting harm on African Americans, depriving them of wealth, opportunities, and dignity. Reparations are seen as a moral imperative to acknowledge and rectify these past wrongs.
2. Wealth Disparities: The economic disparities between black and white Americans are stark and persistent. Reparations are viewed as a means to address the wealth gap and provide a form of economic justice to marginalized communities.
3. Systemic Racism: Reparations are seen as a way to confront and dismantle systemic racism that continues to manifest in various aspects of society, from education and employment to healthcare and criminal justice.
4. Symbolic Gesture: Beyond financial compensation, reparations are seen as a symbolic gesture of reconciliation and healing, fostering a national dialogue on racial justice and unity.
Arguments Against Reparations
1. Practicality: Critics argue that determining who should receive reparations, how much they should receive, and who should pay for them are complex and impractical issues that may lead to further division and resentment.
2. Generational Responsibility: Opponents question the idea of holding present-day individuals accountable for historical injustices committed by their ancestors, arguing that it could unfairly burden current generations.
3. Impact on Social Cohesion: Some worry that reparations could exacerbate racial tensions and deepen societal divisions, undermining efforts to foster unity and inclusivity.
4. Alternative Solutions: Critics suggest that addressing systemic inequalities through policies such as education reform, healthcare access, and criminal justice reform may be more effective in promoting long-term equity and justice.
Neutral Position
Taking a neutral stance on the issue of reparations, it is evident that the call for reparations raises complex ethical, legal, and social considerations. While acknowledging the historical injustices suffered by African Americans and the lingering effects of slavery and segregation, it is crucial to engage in thoughtful dialogue and research to explore the most effective and equitable ways to address systemic inequalities.
In conclusion, the debate over reparations for slavery is multifaceted and deeply ingrained in the fabric of American history and society. By examining diverse perspectives, engaging in respectful discourse, and seeking solutions that promote justice, equity, and unity, we can move towards a more inclusive and just society for all individuals, regardless of race or background.
