One way to think about it that helps is that reparations now will pay off in the future. Much of the problems of today are due to imperialism, an ongoing process, and the systemic underdevelopment of the global south. Even within countries, like the US, slavery and a lack of reparations has resulted in generational poverty that harms society at large. Decolonization and correcting the record allow us to all move forward into a better world.