Assembly Bill (AB) 3121 was enacted on Sept. 30, 2020 and established the Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans.
When I first became aware of the latest push for reparations I was hopeful. As an African American, over the age of 75, I knew of previous efforts, starting with Special Field Order 15, aka “40 acres and a mule” and the string of betrayals and disappointments before and since. I wondered what kind of information would be considered and what recommendations they might come up with.
When the final report was published, I downloaded it and started reading. It took me three weeks to get through it. There was a lot of information about the effects of the institution of slavery on the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual lives of the enslaved. Much, but not all of the information, I was already familiar with and it was still hard to read about again. I had to stop often and turn to something else for a while. If everyone read the entire report, which is doubtful, I think they might better understand why we still feel/think we are owed.
As I read through the recommendation after each section I started having flashbacks to other times we, as Black people, have “asked” for what we were already promised and entitled to. I remembered Chaney, Schwerner and Goodman were kidnapped and murdered by the KKK in Mississippi for trying to register black people to vote. “Bloody Sunday” was also a march for the right to vote. It occurred to me that in the reparations report we were again asking to simply be treated as human beings and citizens. Why is it so hard for this country?
By the time I finished reading and digesting the report I had lost hope. I realized that there was nothing in the history of this country that should cause me to believe that reparations for Black people in this country would ever happen. Already I’m hearing push back…”there is no money for reparations,” I never owned a slave and don’t see why I should have to pay.” I imagine the majority of Californians will not read the report. Hopefully, more will, at least, read the Executive Summary.
The majority will decide “about reparations” based on what they “already believe,” hear from friends and family (who also didn’t actually read it), or whatever media they get their information from. There is a serious educational deficit around the real history of Black people in this country. We have been lied to and about for over 400 years, since 1619.
The main reasons I can’t put too much hope or effort into reparations, at this time are the following:
Politically, this country is going backwards right now, not forward. Black history is being attacked or banned, affirmative action has been overturned, women of reproductive age have been thrown back 50 years into “involuntary servitude” by the conservative Supreme Court, in direct opposition to the 13th Amendment.
Most Republicans are abandoning the constitution and are set on exacting revenge on any who challenge or criticize Donald Trump, their twice impeached leader.
Particular white, conservative, male billionaires have begun suing small programs that assist Black and brown women with high-risk pregnancy issues, or support for starting small businesses claiming “these programs must be open to everyone.” Their purpose is to destroy any assistance or support for businesses of color or women of color. Once again, certain wealthy white males are dividing society between black and white for their financial benefit. They don’t want black and white low wage earners or women to get together (unionize) and challenge them over wages and working conditions (Amazon, Walmart, Starbucks etc.) or overturn abortion bans that threaten women’s lives. They have “purchased” at least two Supreme Court Justices and conservative, white nationalist extremists plan to ram their racist, sexist, homophobic agenda through while they have the power. In this climate, reparations have little or no chance of being honestly evaluated.
So, where does that leave us?
Anyone can read and talk about the report. At least download it to your desktop. https://oag.ca.gov/ab3121/report Start with the Executive Summary. Begin discussing the report with family and friends. Education about the report will be of prime importance. Advocate in discussions for the recommendations you feel would make a difference. Call your state representatives and let them know what you support. Write “letters to the Editor” of local newspapers or “Opinion” pieces on local radio. I imagine most effective strategies and plans will be local.
White people can join together to address some local reparations efforts. Create an assistance fund for the educational, housing, child care, medical or other identified needs of low income African American citizens. Once needs are identified, groups can decide how to best “repair” them.
The United States of America has an outstanding debt which has remained unpaid for 201 years. Whatever you call it…we are owed for back and stolen wages, land stolen and taken, property stolen and taken, lives stolen and taken, and the ongoing trauma of living in this still racist country.
Toni Guy
Questions/comments: jamesmccully2571@gmail.com
