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Chained to Justice

Present-day America must make reparations for generations of wrong

Is the movie "Heat" pure entertainment or a huge slice of Americana? After watching writer and director Michael Mann's movie, I found myself wondering why, after three or so hours, I felt a little let down.

The two adversaries, played by Al Pacino (the law) and Robert DeNiro (the criminal), were obviously more similar than different. Why did I find myself rooting for the criminal? After he robbed a bank, killed many innocent people and took lots of money, I still wanted him to get away with his crimes. Most of the people I've talked to also wanted the bank robbers' crew to escape after committing those awful crimes. Why? What is it in our American character that makes us root for the "bad" guy?

Historically, crime has been the American way. We are socialized to believe that justice is an illusion and that it's OK to murder, rape and steal, as long as you're on the right side of the line. This country has drawn all kinds of lines, whether they be across class, gender or race.

The movie, in many ways, parallels American culture at large. The audience is inevitably led to side with, or have empathy for, the bank robbers' crew, led by DeNiro's character, Neil. The robbers don't truly want to hurt anyone, but in the process of robbing banks, making an omelet or building a nation, you have to crack a few eggs. We all accept this, right? Not if yours is the egg fried.

Just ask Native Americans and African Americans, who have paid an unfair price in pain and suffering in order for this nation to become the economic power it is today, if they agree. Many of the economic and social problems that plague the African American community are a direct result of the crime committed against their forefathers: slavery. Who can be held accountable for this awful crime?

How about those who benefit from the fruits of slavery? In a Daily Bruin viewpoint ("Funneling college admissions with race," Oct. 17), Chris Ivicevich and Richard Welsh wrote, "Should one be held accountable for the sins of one's predecessors? Surely not. If my grandfather were a thief, should I be punished for his actions? Surely not." And I would agree wholeheartedly - as long as one doesn't benefit from the sins of one's predecessors, either.

In the case of many Americans, the wealth accumulated through slavery has put their progeny in a privileged economic position. Conversely, the progeny of the slaves are left in a disadvantaged position. Today, most of us agree that slavery was wrong. Therefore, the money acquired from it is unjust money. Has any of it been returned to the slaves' descendants? No.

For many Americans, raising a family is a basic goal. This is one of those family values some politicians feel American society lacks today. Parents prepare their children for a better standard of living than they themselves had. Accumulated wealth is used to provide opportunities for better education, business capital and countless other advantages in a competitive capitalist society. Therefore, children of wealthy parents have an advantage over children of the economically disadvantaged.

Where does the wealth come from? If it is stolen, does it become clean money once it has passed from one generation to the next, or the next or the next, until subsequent generations are not even clear how their forefathers first acquired wealth?

If one can pass wealth on to children, without passing the responsibility that goes along with it, then bank robbery and other crimes look like highly profitable professions in America. Once you get on in years and you know your days are numbered, you may as well rob a bank. After all, if you get away with it, then your progeny will be set for life and won't have to live with the guilt usually associated with awful crimes.

Even in "Heat," Neil hinted at settling down and living a normal, yet very comfortable life. Surely his children would have been afforded many luxuries. The ironic thing is that most of us were pulling for him and wanted him to get away with it. Why? Because getting away with theft and other heinous crimes is more American than apple pie will ever be.

Before you make a pie, you need the ingredients, and if you don't have them, why not just take them - like land taken from Native Americans? And, anyone who has ever cooked before knows that food tastes much better when someone else cooks while you rest and smell the aroma. While African Americans did the cooking, others ate the pie.

It's a good thing, however, that we live in a nation that prides itself on being founded on freedom and justice. We can all rest assured that no crimes shall go unpunished.

One excuse for slave masters' progeny not being held accountable for slavery is that at the time, slavery was not a crime, and therefore, no form of justice or reparation is needed. If the slave masters didn't know it was wrong, then how could they (let alone their children) be held accountable? And they didn't actually commit a crime, since slavery was not outlawed by the Constitution. Bull. Somehow, the sons and daughters of this country's founding fathers have arrived at a great moral realization that eluded them for hundreds of years. I don't buy it.

As human beings, we all share basic unwritten rights prescribed before laws are written. We also share the same basic capacity to think and learn. Are we to believe that it took one group of humans (white America) 400 years to come to the same conclusion that another group (slaves) arrived at in a matter of seconds?

I contend that those who institutionalized slavery knew it was wrong and against basic human laws before they even started; yet they continued to do it. And that, my fellow Americans, is a consciously committed crime.

It can't be denied that this country is in great debt to African Americans for the crimes committed against them. In a way, maybe the sad death of Neil in the movie "Heat" will prove to be prophetic for this nation. Although Neil was a smart thief, time eventually caught up with him and he had to pay for his crimes. Maybe one day America will start practicing the justice for which it so fervently fights and preaches.

When this nation does finally pay for its crime (time will catch up), there needs to be a real 40 acres and a real mule, not another empty promise. Why does true justice still elude African Americans in this country? I don't know. Maybe we're not "American" enough in our approach.

Green is a fifth-year history student. His column appears on alternate Wednesdays.Comments to webmaster@db.asucla.ucla.edu