President Biden is under mounting pressure to take action on reparations for Black Americans, as the movement gains momentum across the country. Activists and lawmakers are pushing for both federal and local initiatives to address the racial wealth gap and historical injustices stemming from slavery and racism.
At the federal level, Democratic lawmakers have introduced bills and proposals aimed at reparations. Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., recently put forward a $14 trillion compensation plan to address the wealth gap between White and Black people. Other Democrats have supported the establishment of a commission to study and develop reparations proposals.
However, President Biden has remained largely silent on the issue, which has frustrated pro-reparations activists and some Democrats. Calls for the president to use his executive authority to establish a federal reparations commission have intensified. Activists argue that the deliberate stalling at the congressional level necessitates immediate action.
Racial justice groups and Democrats have long urged Biden to create a national reparations commission through executive order. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, emphasized the importance of accepting the historical journey of African Americans and called for an executive order to be put in place.
Civil rights leaders and descendants of slaves have also criticized Biden for his inaction on reparations. They argue that it is time for the president to acknowledge and address the lasting consequences of slavery.
The White House, however, has not provided a clear stance on reparations. While Biden is said to support studying potential reparations for Black Americans, he has not publicly endorsed the congressional bill that would establish a commission.
The pressure on Biden is likely to increase as more localities join the movement for reparations. Cities and states across the country are considering payment proposals and funding studies to determine the necessity of reparations for their respective communities. Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Fulton County, Georgia, are among those actively pursuing reparations. In New York City, the Department of Health has proposed reparations as a solution to racial and wealth inequities.
California and New York are leading the way with comprehensive statewide reparations plans. California’s task force has released recommendations for monetary reparations and other policy changes aimed at redressing historical injustices. While critics argue that reparations proposals are fiscally unmanageable, supporters emphasize the importance of addressing systemic racism.
Reparations initiatives are not limited to large cities or states. The Chicago suburb of Evanston has already started paying reparations, providing financial assistance to qualifying Black residents. Other cities, including San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles, and Baltimore, are exploring their own local reparations programs.
Despite the growing movement and local actions, federal progress on reparations remains uncertain. Republican opposition, mixed Democratic support, and the president’s ambiguous stance have contributed to the stalling of federal initiatives. As the debate continues, the pressure on President Biden to take a clear position and use his authority to address reparations will only intensify.
Source Fox News