Tag: reparations

Teen Vogue says sleep is for privileged white people: Calls for ‘rest reparations’

Last week, Teen Vogue published an article that argues that sleep is an example of systemic racism, and activists are now even calling for “rest reparations” to fix this.

In an article called “Black Power Naps is Addressing Systemic Racism in Sleep,” the magazine discusses the Black Power Naps initiative, which claims that African Americans have shorter life spans than white people do. The initiative was started by activists Navild Acosta and Fannie Sosa, who claimed that this is because blacks suffer from “generational fatigue” due to their skin color.

Keep reading

‘My Nigerian great-grandfather sold slaves’

Amid the global debate about race relations, colonialism and slavery, some of the Europeans and Americans who made their fortunes in trading human beings have seen their legacies reassessed, their statues toppled and their names removed from public buildings.

Nigerian journalist and novelist Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani writes that one of her ancestors sold slaves, but argues that he should not be judged by today’s standards or values.

Keep reading

In Historic Move, North Carolina City Approves Reparations For Black Residents

In an extraordinary move, the Asheville City Council has apologized for the North Carolina city’s historic role in slavery, discrimination, and denial of basic liberties to Black residents and voted to provide reparations to them and their descendants.

The 7-0 vote came the night of July 14.

“Hundreds of years of Black blood spilled that basically fills the cup we drink from today,” said Councilman Keith Young, one of two African American members of the body and the measure’s chief proponent.

“It is simply not enough to remove statutes. Black people in this country are dealing with issues that are systemic in nature.”

The unanimously passed resolution does not mandate direct payments. Instead, it will make investments in areas where Black residents face disparities.

Keep reading

Mayors back reparations that could cost $6.2 quadrillion, or $151M per descendant

The nation’s mayors on Monday backed a national call for reparations to 41 million black people, a program that could cost taxpayers $6.2 quadrillion.

The U.S. Conference of Mayors released a letter backing a Democratic plan to form a reparations commission to come up with a payment for slavery.

“We recognize and support your legislation as a concrete first step in our larger reckoning as a nation, and a next step to guide the actions of both federal and local leaders who have promised to do better by our black residents,” said the letter from conference President Greg Fischer, mayor of Louisville.

Sen. Cory Booker and Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee have introduced legislation to create a commission, the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act.

Keep reading