This article delves into the financial support provided by Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign to various Black advocacy groups that advocate for defunding the police, reparations, and have ties to controversial figures like Louis Farrakhan. It explores the history of these groups and their leaders, highlighting their stances on key issues, particularly in light of Harris’ past statements on these topics.
King Charles III has acknowledged the colonial injustices committed by Britain during a Commonwealth summit in Samoa, but has stopped short of offering financial reparations. He emphasized learning from the past and finding solutions to address enduring inequalities. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also acknowledged the shared history and promised to host a forum next year to discuss reparations for the impact of slavery.
California has taken a historic step by formally apologizing for its role in slavery and its lasting effects on Black Americans. This apology comes alongside other legislation aimed at addressing racial disparities, including protections against hair discrimination for athletes, increased oversight of book bans in state prisons, and funding for reparations initiatives. However, some advocates are disappointed by the lack of direct payments to Black Californians.
Vice President Kamala Harris, facing questions from the National Association of Black Journalists, declined to explicitly endorse a reparations commission but emphasized the need to address racial injustices. Instead, she focused on her own economic proposals and underscored the importance of recognizing the historical impact of racism.
All three candidates vying for the position of Commonwealth Secretary-General have expressed their support for reparations for transatlantic slavery and colonialism, adding momentum to the ongoing debate surrounding historical injustices. This comes as the Commonwealth, a 56-nation organization rooted in the British Empire, prepares to elect its next leader in October. The candidates’ stances highlight the evolving nature of the Commonwealth and its members’ commitment to addressing the legacies of colonialism.
Black conservatives are criticizing Democrat politicians for pushing reparations, arguing that it’s a political ploy rather than a genuine effort to address the needs of Black Americans. Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat running for president, has previously expressed support for reparations but hasn’t clarified her stance on a nationwide effort, prompting concerns from Black activists who see it as a political issue.
Pastor Corey Brooks, founder of Project H.O.O.D., criticizes Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s reparations task force, arguing it ignores the ongoing struggles faced by Black communities due to liberal policies. He questions the focus on historical reparations while neglecting present-day issues like violence, failing schools, and criminal justice reform.
A heated exchange occurred in the California Assembly Judiciary Committee during the discussion of a bill proposing slavery reparations for African Americans. Republican Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez argued against the bill, citing the potential cost of $800 billion and the unfairness of making Asian and Latino Californians pay for a historical wrong they weren’t involved in. Democratic Assemblyman Ash Kalra, visibly emotional, defended the bill, emphasizing the necessity of reparations and highlighting the historical injustices suffered by Black families.
Dr. Cornel West, an unaffiliated presidential candidate, joined a group of protesters demonstrating against Wells Fargo Bank in Washington, D.C., demanding reparations for the historical and ongoing injustices faced by African Americans. West emphasized the importance of holding financial institutions accountable for their role in slavery and subsequent systemic discrimination. He specifically mentioned Wells Fargo’s takeover of Wachovia Bank, which had ties to slaveholding institutions. Activists at the protest highlighted the lack of reparatory compensation for African Americans compared to other marginalized groups, such as Holocaust survivors and Japanese internment camp prisoners. The protest also raised concerns about the alleged involvement of big banks in the slave trade and its enduring impact on modern society.
The Tennessee House of Representatives has defeated a bill that would have prohibited local governments from studying or providing reparations for slavery. The bill, which passed the Republican-controlled Senate last year, failed in the House after facing opposition from both Democrats and some Republicans. While the bill’s sponsor argued it would prevent punishing innocent people for actions committed by past generations, opponents argued that it was important to study the issue and consider reparations as a form of addressing historical injustices.
