The bill to consider reparations for slavery has been recently passed by the New York State Assembly.
The legislation aims to establish a commission that will examine the historical support of the federal and state government for slavery and address the ongoing economic, political, and educational disparities faced by Black communities.
This bill passed by the state legislature on Thursday paves the way for New York to establish a commission aimed at exploring reparations as a means to redress the long-lasting and detrimental consequences of slavery.
Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages emphasized the importance of acknowledging the legacy of slavery and taking steps towards healing and addressing generational trauma. “We want to make sure we are looking at slavery and its legacies. This is about beginning the process of healing our communities. There is still generational trauma that people are experiencing. This is just one step forward.”
The bill was passed after a three-hour spirited debate, with the state Senate also approving the measure. It will now be sent to Governor Kathy Hochul for consideration.
New York follows the example set by California, which established a reparations task force in 2020. The California task force recommended a formal apology for historical racism and discriminatory policies, as well as the creation of an agency to provide comprehensive services to Black residents, without specifying payment amounts for reparations.
The New York legislation seeks to establish a commission that will investigate the extent of government support for slavery and tackle existing economic, political, and educational disparities faced by Black individuals in the state.
The bill recognizes that the first enslaved Africans arrived in the southern part of Manhattan Island in the 1620s and played a significant role in building New York City. Although a statute granting freedom to enslaved Africans was enacted in 1817, it was not implemented until a decade later.
During the floor debates, Republican state Assembly member Andy Gooddell expressed concerns about reopening a historical issue and preferred focusing on current efforts to promote equal opportunity instead of reparations.
In California, the reparations task force estimated the state’s responsibility to exceed $500 billion due to long-standing issues such as over-policing, mass incarceration, and redlining, which prevented Black families from accessing loans and living in certain neighborhoods. Considering the potential costs, reparations in New York could also be substantial.
The commission mandated by the bill will be required to deliver a report within one year of its first meeting. While their recommendations may include monetary compensation for Black individuals, they will not be binding, and the legislature will not be obligated to vote on them.
The passage of the bill in the New York state Assembly was hailed as a historic moment by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, who holds the distinction of being the first Black person to occupy this position.
As part of the legislation, Heastie, alongside the governor and the leader of the state Senate, will appoint three qualified individuals each to serve on the commission.
While New York has taken a significant step forward, it is worth noting that other states such as New Jersey and Vermont have also contemplated the idea of studying reparations, although they have yet to pass any legislation on the matter. However, in 2021, the city of Evanston, located in Illinois, emerged as a trailblazer by making reparations available to Black residents through a $10 million housing project, setting an important precedent in addressing historical injustices.
