Reparations Roundup: November 2024
Lawmakers across the country are proposing reparations to black Americans for slavery and America’s history of racial discrimination. Proposals have included direct cash payments, grants, formal apologies from the government, and government programs with race-based eligibility.
Because certain reparations proposals would inevitably advantage and disadvantage individuals based on their race and ancestry—in violation of the Constitution—PLF is tracking the development of these policies at state and local levels. See last month’s roundup here.
Here is what has happened this past month:
St. Louis makes final recommendations
After 18 months, the St. Louis Reparations Commission released its final recommendations. The Commission recommended that the standard for who would receive reparations would be lineage and race—not actual governmental harm to the recipient. For now, these recommendations seem to lack funding sources.
New York State holds first reparations meeting
As we noted in August, the State of New York kicked off its 12-month clock to issue reparations recommendations. The Commission held its first public hearing on November 12 in Buffalo and will hold its second public hearing in Queens on December 16.
Shelby County distributes $5 million
In 2023, the Shelby County, Tennessee, Commission approved $5 million to study reparations. Now, local news reports that most of that money was distributed to half a dozen nonprofits. Similar to the reparations initiatives in Providence, Rhode Island, this money is also sourced from federal COVID-19 relief funds.
Kansas City doubles its timeline
Like many other reparations initiatives we are tracking, Kansas City, Missouri’s, Mayor’s Commission on Reparations is struggling to stay on track. The Commission chair claims that funding delays are doubling the amount of time needed, from 18 months to 36 months.
Olympia calls for more reparations commissions
On November 12, the Olympia, Washington, City Council passed a unanimous resolution calling on state and federal governments to create more commissions to study reparations. The resolution’s proposed actions include directing City staff to research actions that the City can take to further the reparations cause.
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