New York City is on the verge of passing one of the most misguided and divisive bills we’ve seen in a long time. The City Council recently approved legislation to study slavery and consider reparations for the descendants of enslaved people. This bill, if signed into law by Mayor Eric Adams, will establish a truth and reconciliation commission to study the city’s involvement in slavery and create potential financial reparations.
Now, let’s be clear: teaching history properly and remembering the horrors of slavery is critical. Every American must understand this dark chapter in our nation’s past. But trying to put a dollar value on compensating people who were never slaves, from people who were never slave owners? That’s where the problem starts. This effort doesn’t unite us—it only stirs up more division.
The Bill: What It Says and What It Means
The package of bills approved by the City Council is broad and far-reaching. It calls for a truth and reconciliation commission to establish the facts about New York’s role in the slave trade. Additionally, it seeks to identify systemic issues such as redlining and environmental racism that still affect predominantly Black neighborhoods. The bill also proposes creating a “Freedom Trail” to highlight historical locations related to slavery in New York and placing a new marker at the site of New York’s first slave market, which operated from 1711 to 1762.
But the big headline here is reparations. The city’s commission would be tasked with figuring out how much, if anything, should be paid to descendants of slaves. This is where things go from historically educational to outright absurd.
A History That Should Be Taught, Not Paid For
There is no denying the lasting scars of slavery. From the deep economic disadvantages to the social inequalities that followed emancipation, Black Americans have faced countless challenges. However, trying to rectify this through financial reparations is not the answer.
Slavery was abolished in New York in 1827—nearly two centuries ago. While it’s true that certain businesses continued to benefit from the slave trade until 1866, this doesn’t change the fact that no living New Yorker today had any direct involvement in slavery.
Yes, we must teach the true history of slavery, including how Wall Street, one of the world’s most famous financial hubs, was connected to the slave trade. Yes, we should honor the memories of those who suffered. But how does asking modern New Yorkers to foot the bill for something they never did solve anything?
Creating Division Instead of Unity
Proponents of this bill argue that the effects of slavery are still felt today. Council Member Farah Louis, one of the sponsors of the bill, has pointed to systemic issues like redlining and underfunded services in Black neighborhoods as examples of the lasting legacy of slavery. She argues that the reparations effort is not just about compensation, but about addressing those systemic issues.
Here’s the problem: you can’t fix systemic issues by throwing money at them. Reparations will not solve the challenges faced by Black Americans today. In fact, by focusing on financial compensation, this bill risks creating even more division.
Think about it—how will this make people feel? Those who receive reparations may feel vindicated, but at what cost? The rest of the population, who had nothing to do with slavery, will feel unfairly punished. This doesn’t heal old wounds—it opens new ones.
Financial Burden on an Already Struggling City
New York City is facing enough challenges as it is. From the high cost of living to crumbling infrastructure, we don’t need more financial burdens. A financial impact analysis of the reparations bills estimated that just studying the issue will cost $2.5 million. And that’s just the beginning. Once the city starts doling out reparations, the costs could skyrocket.
We’ve already seen examples of this in other cities. Evanston, Illinois, became the first city to offer reparations to Black residents in 2021, handing out payments of $25,000 to some. San Francisco also approved reparations, but the city’s mayor cut the funds, claiming that reparations should be handled by the federal government.
It’s not just about the cost, though. It’s about the precedent. If New York starts paying reparations, what’s to stop other cities and states from doing the same? And once the floodgates are open, there’s no turning back.
The Real Solution: Economic Empowerment, Not Handouts
If we really want to help Black Americans and heal the wounds of the past, we need to focus on economic empowerment, not handouts. Instead of throwing money at the problem, we should be investing in education, job training, and community development. These are the kinds of solutions that lift people up and give them the tools they need to succeed.
We also need to address any systemic issues that still may exist today. But instead of blaming everything on the legacy of slavery, we should be looking at how to reform our institutions and create real opportunities for all Americans, regardless of their race.
Final Thoughts
Reparations may sound like a well-meaning idea, but in practice, it is a deeply flawed and divisive proposal. By focusing on financial compensation for wrongs committed centuries ago, this bill risks creating more division and resentment in our society.
Instead of trying to quantify the value of historical injustices, we should be focusing on real solutions that help all Americans thrive—solutions like economic empowerment, education, and community development. That’s how we move forward as a nation, not by looking backward.
We’d love to hear your thoughts! Please comment below.
Jimmy
The Democrats buying votes once again, there’s no other reason for this bill being passed, funny how close to the election this push to bring it to the front of all other more important issues NYC as at this moment in time, blatant vote buying scam, being pulled on the African Americans, I believe the majority of them will see it for what it really is, a total scam!
Oh, GOODY! That means only the Democrats will have to pay up since THEY were the ones who owned the slaves! CHA CHING, Demos!
These city council morons probably don’t realize that “The New York Times” original owners were “Slave Owners”!
There is a HUGE issue with this and not what you think. Since the left has changed the narrative on the CAUSE of the Civil War, and made it over slavery (which it never was).
The people of NY need to sue the government stating that the reparations were PAID in BLOOD by those that fought against the South and to enjoin the government from many such action as it would be a violation under law to have reparations paid to anyone without every family having reparations, including those who lost family members and body parts in the endeavor to end slavery, this is the narrative of those who want reparations.
Just for the record, on January 31, 1865, and ratified on December 6, 1865, the 13th Amendment abolished slavery in the United States. My elementary math tells me that was 159 years ago. Again, 159 years ago!
Could the saying “you have come a long way, baby” apply here, 159 years later. For some the answer is yes but for the majority, I think (and see) not. I’m not blind and can read.
Let’s see; Even at 25 years per generation that’s 6 generations ago. Just how many of the current “black” people trace all or even their current two parents geneology to a slave. With this many generations a person in poverty owes their conditions to their own and their parent’s lack of effort to improve their condition.
Of course former slaves should their 40 acres and a mule. Submit their present location, so they may be served.
REPARATIONS, WHY NOT?
I’m sure everyone would be fine with paying for reparations for past ancestors’ sins when today’s Blacks anti-up for every murder, rape, and theft committed by their ancestors!
Of course, the entire idea runs contrary to the biblical prohibition against sons paying for the crimes of their fathers in Deuteronomy 24:16, Ezekiel 18:20, etc.
For more on how the Bible’s triune and integral moral law (the Ten Commandments and their respective statutes and judgments apply and should be implemented as the law of the land, see free online book “Law & Kingdom: Their Relevance Under the New Covenant” at bible versus constitution dot org. Go to our Online Book page. Scroll down to title.
Then, at the same location, “A Biblical Constitution: A Scriptural Replacement for Secular Government.”
Why is this limited to blacks who were victims of Slavery? New York City had a sizable population of white and Native American slaves. This is nothing more than a money grab by black racists!
Here’s how it should doled out. First get reparations are the ancestors of those who left their homes, farms, Jobs, and families to fight and die to free the slaves that THEY NEVER OWNED! I will be waiting for my check! You want reparations for people that are better off than they would be if they were left in their own country, start by collecting from the ones that captured them, sold them, and the blacks that owned them!
The slave trade was illegal for Americans in 1808, not 1866. In 2024, reparations and civil war are inseparable. This is the usual division Democrats and other leftists want. They want to change today’s capitalistic society based on achieved status to that of the feudal era based on ascribed status. Destroying the middle class is the key to ending democracy.
What about Irish emigrants who were earlier slaves than blacks?
Duhh, The Irish descendants are needed to fund it!
Reparations ……..Now!
One way tickets to Africa!
Losing 13% of the population will cut the US crime rate in half easily!
Let’s dooooooooooooo it!
If any reparations are done at all, American Indians should revolt big time !!!
The American Indian deserves everything we could possibly give them.