When the first enslaved Africans arrived at Jamestown Virginia in 1619 America's long and troubled history with slavery began. Although slavery was ended at the conclusion of the Civil War the United States is still wrestling with the issue of how to provide restitution for the damage caused by this institution. This book explores the issue of whether the government should pay reparations for slavery. It examines what those reparations might look like and how they might change the lives of eligible Black Americans. The CONTEMPORARY ISSUES series is intended to give young readers a better understanding of major social issues today. Each book examines four key questions related to a controversial topic with essays that detail the most commonly heard arguments on both sides of the discussion. The arguments contained within are supported by data from experts as well as nonpartisan reports allowing the reader to make his or her own informed decision on the issue.