In a significant move towards addressing the historical injustices of slavery and racial discrimination, New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) signed a bill on Tuesday to establish a reparations commission.
The commission is tasked with investigating the lasting effects of slavery and subsequent racial discrimination against African descendants, and their continued impact in contemporary society.
The Governor's office confirmed that the commission will comprise nine members. The state Senate president, the speaker of the state Assembly, and the governor will each appoint three members, as reported by ABC News.
The legislation outlines the commission's mandate to scrutinize the historical and ongoing repercussions of slavery in both New York state and city. This includes an in-depth exploration of the capture and transportation of Africans to the region, the trade and procurement of slaves, the benefits accrued by New York from these transactions, the treatment of slaves, and other related matters.
Governor Hochul, in a statement on X, said, "Joined by leaders in the movement for racial justice, today New York took a bold step to right the wrongs of the past. Together, we will reckon with New York's legacy of slavery and discrimination, and work towards a more just, equitable future for all of our communities."
She further added, "Nearly 400 years after the first enslaved Africans arrived in New York, the legacy of this injustice still holds us back. That's why I just signed a law creating a Community Commission on Reparations that will study this legacy and make recommendations on the path forward."
The legislation stipulates that the commission must convene its first meeting by mid-June and submit a written report detailing its findings and recommendations to state authorities within a year.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Governor Hochul referenced data from the New York Historical Society, which reveals that approximately 20 percent of colonial New Yorkers were enslaved Africans during the era of slavery in the United States.
She stated, "Here in New York, there was a slave market where people bought and sold other human beings with callous disregard. It happened right on Wall Street for more than a century. And even though it officially closed when slavery was abolished in New York in 1827, our state still remained a dominant player in the illegal slave trade."
Governor Hochul further added, "What's hard to embrace is that our state flourished from that slavery. It's not a beautiful story, but indeed it is the truth. Today, I challenge all New Yorkers to be patriots and rebuke and not excuse our role in benefiting from the institution of slavery."
She expressed hope that the commission could pave the way towards assisting the descendants of New York slaves and addressing the disparities in education, healthcare, and the environment, thereby uplifting everyone.
With this move, New York becomes the third Democrat-led state to establish a reparations commission, following California and Illinois. Several cities across the country, including San Francisco, California, Evanston, Illinois, and Palm Springs, California, have also initiated their own reparations programs.
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