President Biden is facing mounting pressure to address the issue of reparations for Black Americans. Calls for action have grown louder, with activists and lawmakers pushing for both federal and local initiatives to address historical injustices and racial wealth disparities.
At the federal level, Democratic lawmakers have introduced bills and proposals for reparations. Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., recently presented a $14 trillion compensation plan, while other Democrats have supported the establishment of a commission to study and develop reparations proposals.
Despite these efforts, President Biden has remained relatively quiet on the topic. His silence has frustrated pro-reparations activists and some Democrats who believe that immediate action is necessary. They have been urging the president to use his executive authority to establish a federal reparations commission.
Racial justice groups and Democrats have long called for a national reparations commission to be created through executive order. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, emphasized the need to recognize the historical journey of African Americans and called for an executive order to be issued.
Civil rights leaders and descendants of slaves have criticized Biden for his lack of action on reparations. They argue that it is time for the president to acknowledge and address the ongoing impact of slavery.
The White House has not provided a clear position on reparations. While Biden is said to support studying potential reparations, he has not publicly endorsed the congressional bill that would establish a commission.
Pressure on Biden is likely to increase as more cities and states consider reparations. Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Fulton County, Georgia, are among those actively pursuing reparations, while New York City and California have developed comprehensive statewide plans.
Critics of reparations argue that the proposals are fiscally unmanageable and question the idea of having individuals who never owned slaves compensate those who were never slaves. However, supporters emphasize the importance of addressing systemic racism and redressing historical injustices.
While progress at the federal level remains uncertain due to Republican opposition and mixed Democratic support, local initiatives continue to gain momentum. Evanston, Illinois, has already started providing financial assistance to qualifying Black residents, and other cities such as San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles, and Baltimore are exploring their own reparations programs.
As the debate continues, the pressure on President Biden to take a clear position and utilize his authority to address reparations will only intensify.
Source Fox News
