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This article provides an account of the meaning of reparations and presents a brief explanation as to why African Americans believe they are entitled to reparations from the United States government. It then goes on to explain why reparations are necessary to address the distrust that is thought to exist between many African Americans and their government. Finally, it rejects the belief that reparations require reconciliation. RECONCILIATION AND REPARATIONS 547 value of reparations. In what follows, I shall focus on categories (1) and (3). Forgiveness, Reconciliation, and ReparationsAccording to the Oxford English Dictionary (Soanes and Stevenson 2004Stevenson , 558, 1218Stevenson , 1201, these are the current meanings of the following English words:Forgive. 1. Stop feeling angry or resentful towards (someone) for an offense or mistake. 2. Excuse (an offense, flaw, or mistake).Reparation. 1. The making of amends for a wrong. 2. Compensation for war damage paid by a defeated state. 3. The action of repairing.Reconcile. 1. Restore friendly relations between. 2. Make or show to be compatible. 3. Make (someone) accept (a disagreeable thing).

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