The Worldwide Reparations Movement Has Begun - News Update For 4/26/2023

-


 

 Laura Trevelyan, an anchor and correspondent with the BBC was shocked to discover her ancestors had enslaved Africans on the Caribbean island of Grenada. Despite abolishing slavery, none of the families of the enslaved received reparations, including those of more than a thousand Africans enslaved by Trevelyan's ancestors. 

To make amends, she and David Lascelles co-founded Heirs of Slavery, a group encouraging wealthy British families who profited from past enslavement to make formal apologies and seek reparative justice in the former Caribbean colonies.

 

The group is lobbying the British government to engage with CARICOM for debt relief and investment in health and education. Trevelyan hopes this "long overdue reckoning" with reparations will lead to acknowledgment and healing (Weiner, 2023).

Detroit Reparations Faces Some Snags 


Detroit's Reparations Task Force is in its initial stages and exploring ways to make amends for the long-standing systemic racism in the US, with a focus on new housing and economic development opportunities for Detroiters.

 However, Detroit's challenges differ from those of other cities, such as San Francisco, where a similar committee proposed $5 million in cash payouts to citizens, and Evanston, Illinois, where up to $25,000  to applicants for housing programs.

Co-chairs Lauren Hood and Keith Williams emphasized that compensation for Detroit requires a policy shift in how the city governs Black Detroiters and that cash payouts may not be the best approach. A broader institutional system involving multiple actors, including non-governmental organizations and institutions, may be more effective.


Williams, who also chairs the Michigan Democratic Black Caucus, highlighted the importance of understanding how much wealth was lost through racist practices, such as the razing of the Black Bottom district, now known as Lafayette Park, to build a freeway.

 Williams also called for an official apology to the Black community for the decades-old highway project built under urban development's auspices, labeling the community as a "slum." Williams also emphasized the need for a body that can continue the task force's work, hold institutions and city government accountable, and ensure policies and practices do not further harm those who were initially affected.

The 13-member task force has a $350,000 budget for the next 18 months, with some funds potentially being spent on housing and economic development consultants. The task force will provide a written report to Detroit City Council with its findings and recommendations in 18 months, but Hood hopes it will continue its work beyond that period.

The task force's first meeting involved more than a dozen residents pushing for change, such as cash payments, taxing wealthy developers, and holding financial institutions accountable amid foreclosures. However, Hood expressed disappointment at the lower-than-expected turnout, given the overwhelming support for a successful ballot initiative to establish the task force. The next meeting is in June for organizational work.


References 

 Detroit Free Press. (2023, April 26). Detroit Reparations Task Force co-chair: “Responsibility shouldn’t just be the government.” Detroit Free Press. https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2023/04/26/detroit-reparations-task-force-housing-economic-consultants/70135451007/

FOX 2 Detroit. (2023, February 27). City of Detroit Reparations Task Force announced | The Noon | FOX 2 Detroit [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njNztPeYWGE

Weiner, L. (2023, April 26). British aristocrats ask King Charles to join a slavery reparations movement. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2023/04/26/1171593635/british-aristocrats-ask-king-charles-to-join-a-slavery-reparations-movement

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Shaka Zulu - The Hidden Code

-
Image
Preface: Shaka Zulu is a well-known historical figure. In this article, we'll cover the hidden numerology behind Shaka Zulu. Shaka Zulu was a great warrior and leader of the Zulu people in the early 19th century. Born in the early 1770s, Shaka was the illegitimate son of a Zulu chief and a young woman from a rival tribe. Despite his humble origins, Shaka became one of the most potent leaders in southern Africa, thanks to his military genius and ability to unite many of the region's tribes under his rule. Shaka's rule included outstanding achievements and brutal acts of violence, and his legacy continues to be a subject of fascination and debate to this day.  The following page will cover the hidden Pythagorean numerology behind his name. Shaka. (2022, October 21). In Wikipedia . https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaka   Shaka kaSenzangakhona ( c.  1787 – September 22, 1828), also known as Shaka Zulu ( Zulu pronunciation:  [ˈʃaːɠa] ) and Sigidi kaSenzangakhona, was the ki
Read more

California Awards Grants to Ethnic Media Outlets Serving Communities Vulnerable to Hate Crimes

-
Image
Forty-six ethnic media news organizations in California have been awarded over $5 million in grants by the state to support media outlets serving communities where hate crimes are likely to occur.    The grant program is a collaboration between the California State Library and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs. Six Black-owned media organizations targeting predominantly Black audiences received grants, including California Black Media, The Black Voice News, L.A. Focus, and The San Francisco Bay View.   Stop the Hate Campaign   The funding will also help raise awareness about the Stop the Hate campaign, which aims to reduce hate crimes and promote intercultural and interracial cooperation and understanding. The campaign is spearheaded by the California Department of Social Services and has received an initial investment of $20 million over the last year.   Grant Program Details   The grants will allow ethnic media outlets to hire or contract with s
Read more

Avoiding Cryptocurrency Scams On All Social Media Platforms (URGENT WARNING)

-
Image
Cryptocurrency scams are a growing concern as the popularity, and mainstream adoption of digital currencies continue to increase. Scammers are constantly coming up with new and sophisticated ways to defraud unsuspecting individuals of their hard-earned money. It is essential to be aware of these tactics to protect yourself and your assets. One historical reference to a well-known cryptocurrency scam is the case of Mt. Gox(2014), a bitcoin exchange hacked in 2014 and ultimately filed for bankruptcy. The hack lost 850,000 bitcoins, valued at over $450 million. (Jake F, Investopedia , 2022). This event was a wake-up call for the cryptocurrency industry and highlighted the importance of proper security measures and due diligence when handling digital assets.   Here are some essential things to remember to avoid cryptocurrency scams :   Please do your research: Before investing in any cryptocurrency or providing personal information, thoroughly research the company or individual you are de
Read more