Evanston, IL to Become First City to Give Reparations to Black Residents
A predominantly white Chicago suburb known for its “liberal activism” is preparing to take it amongst their “woke” selves to right the wrongs of the historic days of slavery. Evanston has a population of about 74,000 and is attempting to become the first American city to pay reparations.
The Associated Press reports:
Acknowledging past racist policies, Evanston is giving eligible Black residents $25,000 housing grants for down payments, repairs or existing mortgages this year. Although the approach is considered a model and homeowners like Murray are ready to apply, some Black residents say the effort falls short and true atonement hasn’t begun.
The idea of reparations wasn’t a hard sell in the predominantly white Chicago suburb of about 74,000 that’s known for liberal activism, intellectual discourse and Northwestern University. Alderwoman Robin Rue Simmons, a fourth-generation Black resident, spearheaded the effort after studying racial disparity data, which shows the average income of Black families in Evanston is $46,000 less than white families.
“We had to create ordinances and laws that said we are committed to inclusion in a tangible way, not just in a sign, not just in a resolution, but with our budget,” said Simmons, who represents the predominantly Black 5th Ward.
Last summer’s reckoning over racial injustice revived interest in reparations in communities across the country, including the state of California and cities like Chicago; Amherst, Massachusetts; Asheville, North Carolina; and Iowa City, Iowa. Federal legislation for a commission has also gained traction.
The Rev. Michael Nabors, a local NAACP chapter president who leads Evanston’s Second Baptist Church, said this is the most exciting time in his 61 years. “It is Evanston today and, in my opinion, it is going to be the United States tomorrow,” he said. “We are leading the way.”
But not everyone is on board. Alderwoman Cicely Fleming who is the only one to vote against the grants, says she is a supporter of reparations, but what Evanston is doing is not that. “Instead of giving money to banks, direct cash payments would give Black people power in deciding how they need repair…the bank continues to be the largest beneficiary and perpetrator of housing discrimination,” said Fleming who is Black.
“It really lays under the guise of a narrative that poor and/or African American people don’t know how to manage their money. Therefore, when the government gives them money, there are lots of parameters on how they can use it” added Fleming.
Source: ClickOrlando.com
Harvard Researchers: COVID Transmission Could Have Been Reduced if U.S. Paid Reparations
A predominantly white Chicago suburb known for its “liberal activism” is preparing to take it amongst their “woke” selves to right the wrongs of the historic days of slavery. Evanston has a population of about 74,000 and is attempting to become the first American city to pay reparations.
The Associated Press reports:
Acknowledging past racist policies, Evanston is giving eligible Black residents $25,000 housing grants for down payments, repairs or existing mortgages this year. Although the approach is considered a model and homeowners like Murray are ready to apply, some Black residents say the effort falls short and true atonement hasn’t begun.
The idea of reparations wasn’t a hard sell in the predominantly white Chicago suburb of about 74,000 that’s known for liberal activism, intellectual discourse and Northwestern University. Alderwoman Robin Rue Simmons, a fourth-generation Black resident, spearheaded the effort after studying racial disparity data, which shows the average income of Black families in Evanston is $46,000 less than white families.
“We had to create ordinances and laws that said we are committed to inclusion in a tangible way, not just in a sign, not just in a resolution, but with our budget,” said Simmons, who represents the predominantly Black 5th Ward.
Last summer’s reckoning over racial injustice revived interest in reparations in communities across the country, including the state of California and cities like Chicago; Amherst, Massachusetts; Asheville, North Carolina; and Iowa City, Iowa. Federal legislation for a commission has also gained traction.
The Rev. Michael Nabors, a local NAACP chapter president who leads Evanston’s Second Baptist Church, said this is the most exciting time in his 61 years. “It is Evanston today and, in my opinion, it is going to be the United States tomorrow,” he said. “We are leading the way.”
But not everyone is on board. Alderwoman Cicely Fleming who is the only one to vote against the grants, says she is a supporter of reparations, but what Evanston is doing is not that. “Instead of giving money to banks, direct cash payments would give Black people power in deciding how they need repair…the bank continues to be the largest beneficiary and perpetrator of housing discrimination,” said Fleming who is Black.
“It really lays under the guise of a narrative that poor and/or African American people don’t know how to manage their money. Therefore, when the government gives them money, there are lots of parameters on how they can use it” added Fleming.
Source: ClickOrlando.com