Finding the right way to finish Dr. King’s work
In my last column, I wrote about a discussion, “Racial Healing for Justice: Reparations and Transformation,” organized by U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee that addressed racial healing, racial justice, H.R. 40, and H.Con. Res. 19 legislation.
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (DTexas), Dr. Ron Daniels, and Dr. Gail Christopher joined the California congresswoman in the discussion moderated by Dr. Marcus Hunter. The purpose of the H.R. 40 bill is to study and develop proposals for reparations for foundational Black Americans. The H.Con.Res.19 creates a United States Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation in Congress.
All panelists agreed that the Biden/Harris administration would make history, passing both bills. However, more action is needed from the Biden/ Harris administration, said Lee.
To continue, Lee mentioned the infrastructure bill was passed. However, the Build Back Better plan hasn’t passed. She explained that the racial equity piece of the infrastructure bill is not as prominent as other components.
Jackson Lee, who took charge of the H.R. 40, encourages the administration to be bold and “pass the bills.” She emphasized that constituents must see their elected officials take a stand even if they disagree with them. Daniels agreed, explaining that while the purpose of equity is to ensure that specific policies never exist, equity still doesn’t address the accumulated harms of the past that includes industries.
Christopher believes that America could be a beacon to the world, adding that both legislations could be a gift to the country. “We must make progress sustainable for us and future generations,” she said, “and, we can’t fumble the ball.” No, we can’t fumble the ball, which is why I don’t support H.R. 40 as written. The bill requires more specificity in crucial areas to make it stronger, leaving less room for error and being obliterated by committee members. For one, just writing African Americans or enslaved Africans in the bill is not enough when we now have Black people from around the world living in the United States.
Reparations are only owed to American descendants of slavery and oppression in the United States and not Black Americans with immigrant backgrounds. As such, an eligibility criteria should also be written into the bill, says Economist William Darity Jr., a supporter of reparations and coauthor of “From Here to Equality: Reparations for Black Americans in the 21st Century.”
No doubt, many other Americans are owed reparations. However, they should, rightfully so, file a separate justice claim and with the right country. The proposed bill doesn’t identify specific qualifications required of H.R. 40 Commission appointees. Members selected should be experts in particular subject areas and have expertise on housing inequities, for example. Also, these decision-makers should only receive compensation for their travel, food, and hotel expenses. “You can’t speak truth to power if power has a spoon in your mouth,” a reparations advocate said.
Other issues exist in the bill, like transparency and solutions for addressing the wealth gap. The bill can be read at www. congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/40. Viewers can also see whether their representatives support the H.R.40. Currently, 40 Democrats in California support the bill, including Solano County Reps. John Garamendi and Mike Thompson. Now we need their support in a revised H.R.40 bill. We can either email them or tweet #FixHR40. Meanwhile, constituents, particularly eligible Black Americans, should find a local reparations organization such as the Coalition for a Just and Equitable California, or American Descendants of Slavery groups that are spread across the nation and volunteer. We must be determined to complete Dr. King’s unfinished business, but we must do it right.