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Coates discusses a specific congressional bill in his work titled HR40. HR40 exclusively aims to initiate the study and development of reparation proposals towards the black community. The bill has never been passed by congress and continues to gain no legislative support to this day. Coates states that “the idea of reparations is frightening not simply because we might lack the ability to pay. The idea of reparations threatens something much deeper—America’s heritage, history, and standing in the world” (p. 34). This could mean that reparations would ultimately be an unachievable goal, which is why congress is so hesitative to pass it. The idea of reparations not being enough to repay the black community for decades of racism, slavery, and discrimination eludes to a much larger issue that many white Americans are afraid to admit. The source of the problem was never what must be repaid, but in actuality what must be corrected, developed, and ultimately re-written.
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Congress’ fear of the possibilities of what might come next once HR40 is passed proves that they know what must be done and are unwilling to look into it to further the development of America. Coates states that “an America that asks what it owes its most vulnerable citizens is improved and humane. An America that looks away is ignoring not just the sins of the past but the sins of the present and the certain sins of the future” (p. 40). The fact that Congress hasn’t even acknowledged the harm that has been brought upon the black community, due to their own need for comfort, expands upon a concept brought up by Lukianoff and Haidt. The phrase “vindictive protectiveness” refers to the idea that when faced with a situation that makes someone uncomfortable, they will ultimately try to shield themselves from it and avoid confrontation with the subject. Lukianoff and Haidt state that “talking openly about such conflicting but important values is just the sort of challenging exercise that any diverse but tolerant community must learn to do“ (para. 61). Both Coates and Lukianoff and Haidt believe that it is necessary to confront these conflicts head on, even when it makes us uncomfortable. In terms of HR40, there must be a point when Congress realizes that they have to reach out to the communities that America has harmed and come up with a solution through their guidance. America cannot solve its problems by assuming what’s best for everyone through a group of predominantly older white males. Members of every community must be included in order for America to grow into its message of freedom and justice. If we are unwilling to accept the fact that there is a problem and continue on as if it never happened, then we only hasten our fall as a country.
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The idea of growth and fixed mindsets is expressed by Dweck in her TED talk. She states that “in our country, there are groups of students who chronically underperform, for example, children in inner cities, or children on Native American reservations. And they’ve done so poorly for so long that many people think it’s inevitable. But when educators create growth mindset classrooms…equality happens” (6:33). This is a prime example of what happens in our country today because of past racial attacks. Students who struggle the most in school today are predominantly from black neighborhoods or neighborhoods with more diversity. This is an issue that America must correct sooner rather than later because we are holding children back from their true potential. Congress stays in the fixed mindset when they choose to deny HR40 and dismiss the subject all together because they are afraid of what it could mean. Coates states that “reparations beckons us to reject the intoxication of hubris and see America as it is—the work of fallible humans” (p. 36). The only way to improve is to approach the uncomfortable subjects with an open mind and with multiple points of view.
