People have long proposed paying reparations to the descendants of American slaves. This plan is similar to agreements that have paid settlements to our American Indians, Japanese Americans interned during the Second World War, and Germany’s payments to Holocaust survivors. Several American cities have recently passed resolutions supporting slavery reparations. But there is considerable opposition to slavery reparations, with 68% of the public against it and only 15% in favor.

Reparation supporters claim our government owes a debt to African Americas because slavery was protected by our Constitution and slave labor was used in the construction of our nation. They also say that 90 years of Jim Crow, 60 years of separate but equal, and 35 years of racist housing policies have prevented Blacks from accumulating wealth. They claim a valid program to eliminate this Black-White wealth gap requires an allocation of between $10 trillion and $12 trillion, or about $800,000 to each eligible Black household.

Reparation opponents claim any reparations that were due these decedents have already been paid through our Civil War and 30+ years of affirmative action programs. Some entirely dismiss the case for reparations due to practical concerns, such as who would receive these financial payments, why should the current generation pay for wrongs for which they are not responsible, and how much should be paid. They also say there is no way to know who is eligible to receive benefits from reparations since not all African Americans are decedents of slaves.

Pending Legislation: H.R.40 - Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act
Sponsor: Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee (TX)
Status: House Judiciary Committee
Chair: Rep. Jim Jordan (OH)