June 2, 2025 Story by: Editor
In a historic move, Washington has become the third U.S. state to authorize a formal study on reparations for descendants of chattel slavery.
Governor Bob Ferguson signed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill (ESSB) 5167 into law, allocating $300,000 from the state’s $78 billion biennial budget to fund the initiative. The study, titled the Charles Mitchell and George Washington Bush Study on Reparative Action, aims to examine the lasting impacts of slavery and propose recommendations for redress.
Honoring Pioneers in Black History
The study is named after Charles Mitchell, an enslaved child who escaped to Canada in the mid-1800s, and George Washington Bush, one of the first Black settlers in the Washington Territory. Their stories highlight the presence and struggles of African Americans in the region’s early history.
Legislative Momentum and Community Advocacy
State Senator Bob Hasegawa (D-Beacon Hill) spearheaded the legislation, drawing inspiration from the Houston family’s experience in Renton. In 1968, the Renton School District acquired the Houston family’s property through eminent domain for $44,600, intending to build school facilities.
The land remained undeveloped and was later sold to a developer in 1980 for $186,675. Today, million-dollar homes occupy the property. This case led to the Houston Eminent Domain Fairness Act, ensuring that land seized for school use but left undeveloped must be offered back to the original owners at the purchase price.
During testimony to the Senate Law & Justice Committee in January, Hasegawa emphasized the importance of understanding the impacts of chattel slavery in Washington State and providing a framework for broader discussions on reparations.
He stated, “We understand the magnitude of this problem and how generational wealth is being stolen. This opens the door to a much larger conversation about reparations and how we are going to deal with this problem in the future.”
A Collaborative Effort
Attorney and former state representative Jesse Wineberry, co-founder of the Washington Equity Now Alliance (WENA), praised the funding of the study. He acknowledged the collaborative efforts of Governor Ferguson, Senator Hasegawa, and State Representative Chipalo Street in making Washington only the third state in the nation to fund such a study.
Paula F. Sardinas, founder of the Washington Build Back Black Alliance (WBBA), highlighted the significance of the $300,000 allocation as a historic first step toward justice. She commended the collective advocacy and Governor Ferguson’s consistent support for the Black and BIPOC communities.
Looking Ahead
The Charles Mitchell and George Washington Bush Study on Reparative Action will examine the impact of slavery on all Washington citizens and propose concrete recommendations to the governor, the legislature, and the U.S. Congress. This initiative marks a significant step in Washington’s journey toward acknowledging and addressing historical injustices.
Washington joins California, and cities like Amherst, Massachusetts, Providence, Rhode Island, Asheville, North Carolina, Iowa City, Iowa and Evanston, Illinois to debate paying reparations to Black citizens.
Source: The Seattle Medium
