(ReliableNews.org) – In the early 1600s, men traveled to Africa, enslaved nearly a dozen of the country’s people, and brought them to Jamestown, Virginia. Over the next hundred years or so, up to seven million African people were brought to the New World to work as slaves for white men. The horrific ordeal finally ended in 1863 when former President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, setting them free from their bonds. Now, at least one Democratic lawmaker seems to believe reparations are in order.
What Happened?
On April 10, Representative Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) appeared on “The Black Lawyers Podcast” to discuss her journey to becoming an attorney and politician as a Black woman in America. She was scheduled to talk about such topics as legacy, affirmative action, and reparations — making amends by paying money to those impacted by wrongdoing. Crockett said while the idea of reparations for direct descendants of slaves “needs to be thought through,” she believes it’s worth researching what it would look like and how much it would cost to implement. The Texas lawmaker said she remembered hearing a celebrity suggest that Black people be exempt from “taxes for a certain amount of time” and thought that wasn’t “necessarily a bad idea.”
However, Crockett admitted she’d have to give that proposal and others some serious thought. The legislator said the idea seems more palatable than handing out cash. As far as reparations, the politician said many people argue that direct descendants of slaves should receive compensation for their ancestors who were denied wages for their work and even killed or worse by their slaveowners and others. However, Crockett questioned whether the tax idea would work for all, especially those who don’t really pay taxes, and said more research is paramount.
Other Reparations Discussions
Crockett isn’t the only politician discussing the possibility of reparations. Officials in multiple California cities have broached the idea, with state legislators submitting multiple bills they believe will help the black communities impacted by past enslavements.
The state’s Legislative Black Caucus said the legislation calls for an apology, the return of property, and other restitution for those impacted. New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) also showed interest in the idea of reparations. She commissioned a research group to look into the “lingering negative effects” of slavery on those living in her state. The goal was for the team to recommend appropriate next steps to address “longstanding inequalities.”
Copyright 2024, ReliableNews.org
