NYC Passes Reparations Bill: Divisive Step Backwards?

New York City is on the verge of passing one of the most misguided and divisive bills we’ve seen in a long time. The City Council recently approved legislation to study slavery and consider reparations for the descendants of enslaved people. This bill, if signed into law by Mayor Eric Adams, will establish a truth and reconciliation commission to study the city’s involvement in slavery and create potential financial reparations.

Now, let’s be clear: teaching history properly and remembering the horrors of slavery is critical. Every American must understand this dark chapter in our nation’s past. But trying to put a dollar value on compensating people who were never slaves, from people who were never slave owners? That’s where the problem starts. This effort doesn’t unite us—it only stirs up more division.

The Bill: What It Says and What It Means

The package of bills approved by the City Council is broad and far-reaching. It calls for a truth and reconciliation commission to establish the facts about New York’s role in the slave trade. Additionally, it seeks to identify systemic issues such as redlining and environmental racism that still affect predominantly Black neighborhoods. The bill also proposes creating a “Freedom Trail” to highlight historical locations related to slavery in New York and placing a new marker at the site of New York’s first slave market, which operated from 1711 to 1762.

But the big headline here is reparations. The city’s commission would be tasked with figuring out how much, if anything, should be paid to descendants of slaves. This is where things go from historically educational to outright absurd.

A History That Should Be Taught, Not Paid For

There is no denying the lasting scars of slavery. From the deep economic disadvantages to the social inequalities that followed emancipation, Black Americans have faced countless challenges. However, trying to rectify this through financial reparations is not the answer.

Slavery was abolished in New York in 1827—nearly two centuries ago. While it’s true that certain businesses continued to benefit from the slave trade until 1866, this doesn’t change the fact that no living New Yorker today had any direct involvement in slavery.

Yes, we must teach the true history of slavery, including how Wall Street, one of the world’s most famous financial hubs, was connected to the slave trade. Yes, we should honor the memories of those who suffered. But how does asking modern New Yorkers to foot the bill for something they never did solve anything?

Creating Division Instead of Unity

Proponents of this bill argue that the effects of slavery are still felt today. Council Member Farah Louis, one of the sponsors of the bill, has pointed to systemic issues like redlining and underfunded services in Black neighborhoods as examples of the lasting legacy of slavery. She argues that the reparations effort is not just about compensation, but about addressing those systemic issues.

Here’s the problem: you can’t fix systemic issues by throwing money at them. Reparations will not solve the challenges faced by Black Americans today. In fact, by focusing on financial compensation, this bill risks creating even more division.

Think about it—how will this make people feel? Those who receive reparations may feel vindicated, but at what cost? The rest of the population, who had nothing to do with slavery, will feel unfairly punished. This doesn’t heal old wounds—it opens new ones.

Financial Burden on an Already Struggling City

New York City is facing enough challenges as it is. From the high cost of living to crumbling infrastructure, we don’t need more financial burdens. A financial impact analysis of the reparations bills estimated that just studying the issue will cost $2.5 million. And that’s just the beginning. Once the city starts doling out reparations, the costs could skyrocket.

We’ve already seen examples of this in other cities. Evanston, Illinois, became the first city to offer reparations to Black residents in 2021, handing out payments of $25,000 to some. San Francisco also approved reparations, but the city’s mayor cut the funds, claiming that reparations should be handled by the federal government.

It’s not just about the cost, though. It’s about the precedent. If New York starts paying reparations, what’s to stop other cities and states from doing the same? And once the floodgates are open, there’s no turning back.

The Real Solution: Economic Empowerment, Not Handouts

If we really want to help Black Americans and heal the wounds of the past, we need to focus on economic empowerment, not handouts. Instead of throwing money at the problem, we should be investing in education, job training, and community development. These are the kinds of solutions that lift people up and give them the tools they need to succeed.

We also need to address any systemic issues that still may exist today. But instead of blaming everything on the legacy of slavery, we should be looking at how to reform our institutions and create real opportunities for all Americans, regardless of their race.

Final Thoughts

Reparations may sound like a well-meaning idea, but in practice, it is a deeply flawed and divisive proposal. By focusing on financial compensation for wrongs committed centuries ago, this bill risks creating more division and resentment in our society.

Instead of trying to quantify the value of historical injustices, we should be focusing on real solutions that help all Americans thrive—solutions like economic empowerment, education, and community development. That’s how we move forward as a nation, not by looking backward.

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Jimmy

h/t: Steadfast and Loyal