Representing a pro-slavery reparations viewpoint, activist Randall Robinson discussed the role of African Americans in history Tuesday as part of the Distinguished Lecture Series.
Robinson spoke to a crowd of around 350 in the Wisconsin Union Theater.
In an attempt to foster a dialogue on campus concerning slavery reparations, his viewpoints will be challenged in another DLS lecture when slavery reparations opponent David Horowitz speaks Dec. 11.
Reminding students of their historical impact in instances like the Vietnam War and apartheid, Robinson warned against \mindless patriotism"" following the Sept. 11 attacks.
""There are higher things to love than a country, like humanity,"" Robinson said, adding that democracy thrives in an informed environment.
Robinson said he supports reparations for African Americans because of the remaining disadvantages left from when uneducated and uncompensated slaves were set free with no aid in a system that had profited from their labor.
""Slavery was profitable'it was a business,"" he said. ""It made those on the benefit end very wealthy.""
He commented on how slave labor produced several national monuments and yet there are no monuments dedicated to slaves.
He added that history itself is somewhat distorted. For example, he said if black history were adequately represented, there would not be a need for a Black History Month.
""History is a big lie that largely benefits the people who write it for themselves,"" he said.
During a visit to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., Robinson said he only saw six blacks, counting himself and his daughter, out of 6,000 visitors. He said this characterized how the United States represents itself to other countries.
Robinson said he is in favor of tax-supported reparations, not just from whites to blacks, but given to those ""who have not been given a chance to succeed in America.""
Similar reparations have been paid as recently as last December to Jews used as slaves during World War II, Robinson said.
""Only when it comes to our own national crimes against African Americans do we not want to discuss the issue,"" he said.
Increasing minority populations around the country will create a ""new majority"" in the coming years, Robinson said, producing greater urgency to close the social and economic gaps between white and nonwhite Americans.
He added that prison inmate ratios of African Americans and Hispanics to whites characterize the discrimination that still exists in the United States.
""We can ill afford to believe we can lock up our problems. We can be better served to find the genesis of these problems,"" Robinson said. ""The gap between blacks and whites, whites and Hispanics and whites and Native Americans will endanger America.""
He said the minimal advancement of African-American rights and the continuing discrimination will lead to ""social combustion 30, 40 years from now that could blow society up.\
