The Motor City’s elected councilmembers are moving ahead with a formal initiative to examine paying reparations to descendants of Black slaves. Simultaneously, a group of residents has nearly enough signatures to get a measure on the ballot this fall that would tackle the issue. Meanwhile, Congress forges ahead with a similar effort.
The council resolution introduced by President Pro Tem Mary Sheffield passed without objection Tuesday. It creates a government-sponsored task force led by citizens to formulate the distribution of reparations for "Black Detroit."
“Today was important because it also shows council’s support for the idea of reparations and supporting a process to explore it moving forward," Sheffield told the Detroit Free Press. “We’re kind of waiting to see what happens ... so we’re not duplicating something that may be placed on the ballot."
Attorney Todd Perkins is spearheading a grassroots effort to take the question to voters. He and the Michigan Democratic Black Caucus are collecting signatures to get a measure on the ballot that would change a provision in the city’s charter, allowing voters to earmark funds. Perkins says close to 4,000 people have signed the petition.
Related
Changing the city’s charter allows voters to allocate funds from recreational marijuana revenue that would pay reparations.
“It's the biggest, Blackest city, yet you still see an economic divide,” Perkins told FOX 2. “A gap that is significant, and it has not been quelled.” 30% of Detroit residents live below the poverty line. “Everybody can acknowledge slavery is wrong ... but words mean action," he added.
In light of the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre, there is renewed energy on Capitol Hill to explore the idea of reparations for Black Americans at the federal level. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus visited the site of the 1921 racially motivated attack on Black Wall Street.
A House bill would create a commission to study and develop reparations proposals for African-Americans. Democratic members of Congress hope to vote on H.R. 40 before the August recess.
“We’re pushing hard,” said Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.). “We’re hoping that this is seen as a priority and will be brought to the floor.”
The White House has also signaled its support for exploring reparations.