The Demographic Tragedy: Indigenous Losses in the Western Hemisphere and the Ongoing Debate on Reparations

While the Japanese American citizens received reparations for their internment during World War II, the question of reparations for African Americans remains a contentious issue. This article explores the historical context of these reparations and argues that the discussion cannot proceed without addressing the demographic tragedy faced by Native American populations.

The Japanese American Internment and Reparations

During World War II, the United States government placed Japanese American citizens in concentration camps, leading to their temporary internment. Following the war, the Japanese American community received reparations for the losses they suffered, including the denial of legal access to their property and the loss of their livelihoods.

On the other hand, African Americans have not received similar reparations. The argument that they have not been owed reparations is based on the premise that their ancestors could work and live freely post-slavery. However, historians and scholars have presented compelling evidence detailing the profound and systemic injustices endured by Native American populations, particularly in terms of demographic loss.

The Demographic Collapse of Indigenous Populations

The introduction of Europeans to the Americas resulted in the largest loss of life in recorded human history, known as the Indigenous Holocaust. Scholars have estimated the original Indigenous population of the Western Hemisphere to have been between 40 and 100 million, with the coterminous United States estimated to have had a population of over 5 million in 1492.

Estimating the Original Population

Paul Rivet (1924): 40-50 million Karl Sapper (1924): 40-50 million Woodrow Borah (1964): upwards of 100 million Henry Dobyns (1966): 90 million-112.5 million William Denevan (1976): 43-72 million Thornton (1987): 75 million Henry Dobyns (1988): 145 million Daniel Stannard (1992): 100 million Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz (2014): about 15 million in the continental U.S.

Impact of European Contact

The arrival of Europeans brought catastrophic effects on the Indigenous population, including the spread of diseases, wars, and genocidal violence. Researchers have estimated that the population of the Western Hemisphere shrank by as much as 95% due to the destructive impact of the invasion. The demographic collapse was particularly severe in what is now the United States, with estimates ranging from 5 million to 15 million Indigenous people before 1492.

Addressing Reparations Through Historical Context

The discussion on reparations for African Americans must consider the historical context, including the demographic tragedy faced by Native American populations. The indigenous losses were not only a significant loss of life but also resulted in the displacement and marginalization of entire communities. These events are often overshadowed by the narratives surrounding African American history and the civil rights movement.

Jim Whittington, a retired engineer and general contractor from South Carolina, argues that reparations for African Americans cannot be seriously considered until the United States government addresses its treaty violations with Native American tribes. The neglect of these historical injustices hinders any meaningful dialogue on reparations.

While the Japanese American community received reparations for their internment, the demographic losses endured by Indigenous populations in the Western Hemisphere were vastly larger. Therefore, any discussion of reparations for African Americans should be informed by a comprehensive understanding of the historical injustices suffered by Native American populations.

Keywords: Indigenous population loss, Native American reparations, African American reparations