The Art of Restitution - Ruthie Tate - Bog

"Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose" - Barrack and Bobby McGee What happened to those '40 acres and a mule', the land promised to former slaves as reparation? After the abolishment of slavery, blacks were kept down by racism and segregation. Society is still blaming blacks for the problems created by wealthy whites of the past, and their thinking of superiority and greed, which purposely created the black reservations, called ghettoes. Blacks were not expected to succeed. But, thanks to the help of some whites, some blacks progressed. It is now the 21st century. The problems created in black communities still exist. As attorneys, Clyde Jordan and Roberta Larkin set out to right this wrong; they face a multitude of resistance from most ancestors of slave owners saying that they never owned slaves. They're right, but they are benefiting from it to this day, along with white privilege. So, Clyde and Roberta travel to Montgomery, Alabama to confront the owner of the biggest corporation in Alabama, an ancestor to the most vicious slave owner known in history, William Hobbs. They file a lawsuit against the Hobbs Corporation to compensate the descendants of former slaves. Clyde re-discovers the brutalities and degradation of slavery: the whippings, execution and sexual abuse of women. Rapes were commonplace. And thus, we have blacks ranging from extremely light skin to extremely dark skin. Clyde is determined to win and find ways to uplift the African-American communities. To make America the great country it was meant to be, so everyone, no matter which race, sex or religion, can have an equal opportunity to peruse the American dream. While researching at the TSU's Legal Library, Clyde is bedazzled by the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. Unknown to him, she happens to be the sister of one of Houston's most notorious retired gangsters, Will. Clyde ignores warnings not to become involved with Will's family, but he finds himself intrigued by the criminal elements and by Will's desire to support Houston's African-American communities. Will was once the leader of a street gang, the Warlords. His interest was making money rather than the violence associated with the gangs. He made a lot of money, so much that he wants to give back and uplift the African-Americans standings in America. He didn't forget where he came from, and he didn't pull the ladder up, though possibly still dangerous. Will turned the Warlords over to the "pants-down" generation, which is what brought Clyde closer to Will. They both want to accentuate the positive attributes of their people. However, the forces against progress come from every angle and direction. Clyde finds himself trapped in a hole too deep to dig out. His good intentions came head-to-head with the criminal elements of Houston. Now he fears for his life.