New demands for $200 million for each African American in California as reparations have drawn attention and debate nationwide. The state’s Reparations Task Force recently approved recommendations to compensate and apologize to Black Californians for generations of harm caused by discriminatory policies.
The reparations movement has garnered national attention, with the Task Force’s proposals now awaiting legislative consideration. The recommendations include the following:
- A formal apology.
- A condemnation of former Gov. Peter Hardeman Burnett, deemed to have been a “White supremacist.”
- Reparations in the form of “cash or its equivalent” for eligible residents.
Census says there are 2.2 million black Californians.
2,200,000×200,000,000=440,000,000,000,000 ($440 trillion)
Total money supply is ~$21 trillion.
Guess the Fed is gonna have to fire up the ol' printing press. https://t.co/kQ9Yu0YEwn
— Generalissimo Illegal Neanderthal 🇺🇲✝️ (@rayrothfe) May 9, 2023
Though the idea of reparations has gained traction among some, critics argue that the proposed payments are not a productive solution to the challenges faced by Black Americans today.
Retired NFL safety Jack Brewer, speaking to Fox News, shared his concerns, saying, “As we look at our real issues that we have as Black folks in America, particularly in California, you know, there’s one million Blacks in L.A. County alone. And in the last report that I read, 80% of those kids in school can’t read and write at proficiency level. So if you’re going to talk about reparations, let’s talk about reparations through education.”
Brewer also emphasized the importance of addressing the fatherlessness crisis and reinstating spirituality in the home and community as more effective approaches to improving Black Americans’ lives. He argued that efforts should focus on education, criminal justice, and social justice rather than simply handing out checks.
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) said, “Reparations are not only morally justifiable, but they have the potential to address long-standing racial disparities and inequalities.” However, some experts, such as Roy L. Brooks, a professor and reparations scholar at the University of San Diego School of Law, questioned the feasibility of implementing the Task Force’s recommendations, particularly given the potential inflationary impact.
Racial reparation payments, although well-intentioned, would be virtually impossible to implement fairly due to the complexities of determining eligibility and calculating compensation. For example, accurately tracing ancestral lineages is almost impossible, and quantifying the lasting effects of historical injustices is entirely subjective. Additionally, devising a universally acceptable compensation formula is an intractable challenge. It may inadvertently perpetuate existing inequalities or create new ones, undermining the stated goal of fostering social harmony and justice.
