The Detroit reparations task force held its first meeting on Thursday at city hall. The group is expected to provide a written report within 18 months detailing steps the city can take to address systemic racism that effects Black Detroiters. Keith Williams, the group’s executive co-chair, called the occasion a “historical day”.
Another executive co-chair, Lauren Hood, promised that the group will deliver more than just a monetary reward to Black citizens.
“We’re not talking about a one-time payout but a paradigm shift in the kinds of policies and practices that govern Black communities in Detroit,” she said.
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Kofi Kenyatta, senior policy director of UpTogether, was invited to provide comment.
“Reparations can mean a lot of things but it must include, no strings attached, direct cash to Black people and systemic change throughout all levels,” he said, as noted by the Detroit Free Press.
“Poverty plagued this majority Black city and has for far too long,” he continued.
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Debates over reparations are occurring in large cities and states around the country. In California, for example, the reparations committee is considering cash payments as high as 5,000,000, free college tuition, and other benefits for Black Americans.
According to a poll conducted by the University of Michigan, 64% of Detroit residents support some form of preparations payment to account for past injustices.
