New York state has formed a commission to study the history of slavery and explore reparations for descendants of slaves.
Governor Kathy Hochul emphasized the need to address the impact of slavery on Black communities, acknowledging that even those who arrived in the U.S. after slavery ended have a role in addressing its legacy.
The commission will consist of nine members and is tasked with producing suggested remedies for the negative effects of slavery. (Trending: Supreme Court Delivers Historic Ruling on AR-15s)
“Here in New York, there was a slave market where people bought and sold other human beings with callous disregard,” Hochul said.
“It happened right on Wall Street for more than a century. And even though it officially closed when slavery was abolished in New York in 1827, our state still remained a dominant player in the illegal slave trade.”
“The practice continued, and our financial and business institutions prospered.”
“I know the word ‘reparations’ brings up a lot of conflicting ideas for people. A lot of people instinctively dig in when they hear it without really thinking about what it means or why we need to talk about it,” said Hochul.
“I think of the immigrants and the children of immigrants who’ve come here since the end of slavery,” she said.
“They will say, ‘We had no involvement in slavery […] None of our relatives were slave owners.’ And there’s part of me that worries about leaping into this conversation because of the racial divisions, strife it could sow.'”
She added, “These huddles and tired masses came here to seek a better life […] Slaves, people who were enslaved, didn’t come here willingly to pursue a dream, but they came in bondage to live a nightmare.”
“And we have to ask, do those of us whose family came here to pursue a dream not have a role to play in ending a nightmare? Yes, yes we do.”
The governor’s decision to sign the bill was supported by Rev. Al Sharpton, despite warnings from political allies.
The commission is expected to deliver its initial report about a year after its establishment.
Most Popular:
Devastating News For Hunter Biden After Defying Subpoena
Ousted Democrat Who Filmed Explicit Tape Blames Homophobia
Obama Reveals His Fear For Joe Ahead Of 2024
