I think one of the presumptions for reparations is that any form of compensation would come from government, not any sole specific race.

But the government’s money comes from taxes. In the end it’s effectively a balance transfer, just like the high price of housing is balance transfer from the young to the old. It’s a zero-sum game. That’s not to say that it’s bad - but let’s be perfectly honest about what it is. You can’t make one group of people richer without making the other comparatively poorer. See for example, the 1% vs the rest of us. Unless of course, you’re investing that money in, say, education, or small businesses which grow the economy - and that might be a good idea.

Government doesn't have some magic basket of their own money. It all comes from the people.