In a historic decision, the New York State Legislature has voted in favor of a bill that will establish a commission to assess the lasting impact of slavery and consider the feasibility of reparations.
In a statement before the legislative floor debate, State Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages said, "We want to make sure we are looking at slavery and its legacies." She views the legislation as a progressive stride towards communal healing and dealing with the generational trauma of slavery.
Following an energetic discussion lasting approximately three hours, the bill found approval in the State Assembly. The State Senate later passed it, and it is now en route to Governor Kathy Hochul's office for further consideration.
This development arrives on the heels of a significant demand by a law professor from Howard University, who recently petitioned the United Nations tribunal to grant $5 million in reparations to each Black American - a move that circumvents the need for taxpayer consent.
The question of reparations is making its way into legislative discussions nationwide. For instance, Breitbart News reported that California had formed a panel under Governor Gavin Newsom's direction in 2020 to discuss reparations and formally apologize for slavery. California was admitted into the Union as a free state in 1850. The panel calculated a potential compensation of $1.2 million for each Black resident, considering disparities in life expectancy and estimated costs associated with over-policing and housing discrimination.
The New York law would establish a similar commission tasked with examining the degree of federal and state government support for slavery.
The initiative drew criticism from some quarters. Republican State Assemblymember Andy Goodell expressed concern during floor debates about potentially reviving a chapter of New York's history that closed nearly 200 years ago. Goodell, who voted against the bill, advocates for existing efforts towards equal opportunity and desires to "continue on that path rather than focus on reparations."
Despite the growing discussion, no state legislature has enacted legislation to study reparations. However, in 2021, Evanston, Illinois, distinguished itself as the first American city to offer reparations to Black residents by committing to a $10 million housing initiative.
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