Marketing Reparations for African American Slavery: Building an Ethical Foundation and Consensus among Millennials during a Pandemic

Abstract

African American Citizenry is challenging the moral latitude of America for forced, uncompensated, free labor since the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863. The African Slaves became captives to Europeans destined for both South and North America and the Caribbean. Even more devastating than the horrors awaiting them on American shores, the enslaved had to face horrendous circumstances of survival subsequent to the treacherous journey itself. Twelve-million enslaved Africans—some were soon to become Americans—lost their lives during the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Wooden vessels sailed the Atlantic Ocean transporting human cargo that was destined to become chattel at auction to the highest bidder. The newly acquired African Slaves would be registered and transported to nearby plantations. Here they would earn their keep by sweltering the coffers of the Slave Owner’s production of spoils destined for the markets. Over the course of several generations, the enslaved African American production yielded several times their worth. The acquisition of wealth permeated industries of vast magnitude well beyond the plantation itself. The African American Slaves labored to meet the debt of manufacturers, retailers, industrial, commercial and the Slave Master’s demand for many years. The invisible hand has yielded a surplus of profits that has grown and it has manifested itself in wealth holdings several times over in the portfolios of the progeny of their own sons and daughters at the exclusion of the enslaved. The ethics of America comes into question as the moral indignation and inhumanity of slavery comes into question. Although America branded itself as the land of the free and the home of the brave, it has been far less than that to the enslaved African American. The research is a qualitative and descriptive study addressing Reparations for enslaved African Americans. Ninety-three surveys, N = 93 were completed by a cross section of respondents. This action was supplemented with several focus group sessions addressing Reparations, Racism, Discrimination, Compensation and certain Development Issues. Least Square Regression Statistics applied to analyze the assumptions showed that there are distinct differences in Millennial’s beliefs about Reparations. However, those differences could be reconciled because entitlement can be documented and proven. This study is unique because contrary to popular beliefs, there is considerable disagreement among Millennials themselves about support for Reparations of enslaved African Americans. African American Millennials overwhelmingly support Reparations, while White Millennials do not. Hence, the research investigates the source of disagreement, and it focuses on bridging the Reparations Cognitive Gap (RCG) existing between White and African American Millennials. The study also challenges the COVZY Kids to further advance the claim for Reparations for the African Americans.