Philadelphia City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (center) stands alongside members of the Philadelphia Reparations Task Force, including co-chairs Breanna Moore (left) and Rashaun Williams (right) on May 21, 2024. (Photo by Abdul R. Sulayman/Philadelphia Tribune)
May 29, 2024 Story by: Editor
The Philadelphia Reparations Task Force, consisting of nine volunteers, held its inaugural session to explore compensation options for Black residents who are descendants of enslaved individuals. This initiative, introduced by the City Council on Tuesday, aims to address historical injustices and systemic racism.
Last year, Philadelphia joined other U.S. cities in considering reparations for the legacy of slavery, Jim Crow laws, and ongoing institutional racism that disproportionately affects Black communities. Councilmembers Jamie Gauthier and Kendra Brooks, who spearheaded the task force’s creation, emphasized the necessity of confronting the city’s historical and present-day inequities.
“Until we look into our past with the determination to uncover the entire truth — no matter how ugly or scary that truth may be — our nation’s original sin will continue to toxify the present and future,” Gauthier stated.
The task force’s mission is to investigate various needs within Philadelphia’s Black community and seek public input on the best ways to allocate city resources to promote economic advancement.
“Whether it would take the form of cash, whether it would take the form of land, we’re open to it,” Gauthier mentioned.
During the initial session on Tuesday, two co-chairs and seven coordinators were introduced as the leaders of the task force. Applicants were required to be descendants of enslaved Africans in the United States and residents of Philadelphia for at least 10 years, with experience in activism, social justice, or community organizing.
The task force members are:
- Rashaun Williams, Co-Chair: Environmental sustainability organizer and co-chair of the Philadelphia Chapter of the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America.
- Breanna Moore, Co-Chair: Ph.D. history candidate at the University of Pennsylvania and research fellow at the New Jersey Reparations Council.
- Ayanna Stephens, Education Coordinator: Principal of the Workshop School, a project-based high school in West Philly.
- Kevin Mansa, Justice Coordinator: Financial professional, community advocate, and entrepreneur focusing on financial literacy.
- Cara McClellan, Criminal & Legal Justice System Coordinator: Founding director and practice associate professor at Penn Carey Law School’s Advocacy for Racial and Civil Justice Clinic.
- Jourdan Lawrence, Health & Wellness Coordinator: Assistant professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at Drexel University’s Dornsife School of Public Health.
- Dominique London, Urban Planning & Sustainable Development Coordinator: Multi-disciplinary artist and community organizer in West Philly.
- Jackie Newsome, Law & Policy Coordinator: Attorney and theologian specializing in the intersection of faith and law.
- Richard White, Atlantic World History Coordinator: Black history researcher with the Pan African Federation Organization.
A Reuters/Ipsos survey revealed that public opinion on reparations is divided along racial lines. While 74% of Black Americans support reparations, only 26% of white Americans agree. Among political affiliations, 58% of Democrats support reparations, compared to 18% of Republicans.
“The root word of reparation is repair, so repair may look different to every individual and every family,” Williams noted.
The task force will explore how resources can be utilized across various sectors, including housing, health, urban planning, criminal justice, and education. They plan to hold public engagement sessions and surveys to gather community input. Eventually, the task force will produce a report with recommendations for implementing a reparations program tailored to the needs of Black Philadelphians.
“Philadelphia is the city where American democracy was established,” McClellan said. “Unfortunately, Philadelphia is also shaped by the legacy of slavery and its afterlife, including mass incarceration, redlining, and educational apartheid. The work of reparations in Philadelphia is therefore crucial to ensuring truth, reconciliation, and the repair of democratic principles.” Source: Philly Voice
Some task force members have suggested that reparations might include a guaranteed income program. Philadelphia is already participating in a federally funded program providing $500 monthly to low-income parents to study the impact of direct cash assistance. The task force will consider how such assistance could be expanded.
There is no set timeline for the task force to complete its report or for a reparations program to commence. Gauthier indicated that these decisions will be made by the task force.
Reparations programs have faced challenges elsewhere. In Boston, the city-appointed task force missed a report deadline due to calls for more public engagement. California’s task force worked for over two years and made more than 100 recommendations before being dissolved. San Francisco’s task force proposed substantial payments to Black residents but has only issued a formal apology, and its budget was later cut by the mayor.
At the federal level, efforts to establish a reparations commission have stalled in Congress for decades. Evanston, Illinois, remains the only U.S. city with an active reparations program, funded by taxing local marijuana sales. Evanston has made payments up to $25,000 to selected Black residents, despite criticism of some eligibility requirements. The city plans to expand the program this year.
Councilmember Brooks stressed the importance of Philadelphia developing a reparations program to address the root causes of racial disparities.oks said.
