Reparations would even playing field for races

I am disappointed and saddened with the decision of the IDS to run the David Horowitz anti-reparations ad in the April 13 paper. The ad is full of untruths and sophistry. The integrity of the IDS is at stake in providing a paid forum for David Horowitz to promulgate anti-reparations arguments that are factually incorrect.\nClearly, Mr. Horowitz fails to acknowledge the institutionalization of racism in the United States as an ideology and a material force that has existed for centuries. A race or class of people (in this case, African Americans) is intrinsically tied to its history. But rather than focus on a rebuttal of David Horowitz's anti-reparations arguments, I will briefly discuss what my view of the reparations movement concerning African Americans is about. \nFirst, the reparations movement is about reclamation of the history of African Americans in the building of this country (much of this history has been consciously suppressed) and how the dominant class has disproportionately benefitted from our labor. The reclamation of this history is essential in providing a forum to educate people relative to the immense contributions and sacrifices African Americans have made to this country.\nSecond, the reparations movement is about lobbying the U.S. government (Congress) to formally apologize to African Americans for the centuries of slave trade that victimized our race. A formal apology is necessary to expedite the healing process.\nAnd third, the reparations movement is about convincing the U.S. government to make an investment in African Americans so we can compete (succeed or fail) with the same tools as the majority population. This would include economic investment in education and business development as tool builders to level the playing field.\nIn closing, a student newspaper should be about the exchange of ideas, many with which I might disagree. But it should not be about the printing of ads which are factually inaccurate and which might promote racist thoughts and actions. Again, I am disappointed and saddened.