"The Visit" - how much do you think it's worth?

[beaconess]

You will be visited tonight by an official you have never met. He begins by telling you that he is extremely embarrassed. The government has made a huge mistake, something that hardly ever happens. According to his records, he goes on, you were supposed to have been born black: to another set of parents, far from where you were raised.

However, the rules being what they are, this error must be rectified, and as soon as possible. So at midnight tonight, you will become black. And this will mean not simply a darker skin, but the bodily and facial features associated with African ancestry. However, inside you will be the person you always were. Your memories, knowledge, and ideas will remain intact. Outwardly, people will identify you as a black woman or man. Your visitor emphasizes that being born to the wrong parents was in no way your fault and you will continue to know your family--but you also have a new Black family. He says that, according to his records, you are scheduled to live another fifty years as a black man or woman in America.

Because of the government's error, his office is prepared to offer you some reasonable recompense.

How much financial remuneration would you request?

From: Andrew Hacker, "Two Nations: Black and White, Separate, Hostile, Unequal"

[rock]

1. Well which two nations is he offering me

for financial remuneration?

[Nimrod2005]

2. 50 years? $50 million.......