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REPARATIONS from Page 1 wealth-building opportunities to Black people. We must be intentional in our efforts so that Black people might finally be compensated for their ancestors’ labor and for the continuing effects of policies and systems designed to suppress their potential to build wealth.”

McDuffie’s efforts are part of a national movement in cities and states to consider financial and societal remedies for the descendants of African Americans who were enslaved. He pointed out in his opening statement at the hearing that the typical white household has 81 times more wealth than the normal Black household in the District; the nation’s widest gap. With his bill, McDuffie said “I picked up the baton of freedom and equality, considering this bill ahead of the Juneteenth weekend.”

SPECIFICS OF MCDUFFIE’S BILL

McDuffie’s legislation would establish a nine-member Reparations Task Force to study and develop reparations proposals for District Blacks. It would require the Commissioner of the Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking to establish a slavery database of records relating to slaveholding which will eventually be made available to the task force to aid in its study of reparations proposals. Plus, the bill would establish a reparations foundation to be used for the payments of reparations under a program set up pursuant to the findings and recommendations of the task force.

The task force will be responsible for submitting a written report of its findings and recommendations to the mayor and council no later than one year after the date of the first meeting.

PARTNERS from Page 9 troubled history between Blacks and the FBI. Books and studies over the years have revealed that the late FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover spearheaded the process to have pro-African diaspora leader Marcus Garvey discredited; harassed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and instituted COINTELPRO, an effort to dismantle Black organizations and individuals it deemed dangerous.

Nevertheless, Owolewa said his

The bill stipulates the task force shall sunset after December 31, 2025, or after the report has been submitted.

Additionally, the legislation gives the task force a wide range of powers such as the ability to use the D.C. Superior Court to compel testimony or comply with a subpoena.

The bill has the support of Council members Trayon White Sr., (D-Ward 8), Charles Allen (D-Ward 6), Brianne Nadeau (D-Ward 1), Lewis George (D-Ward 4), Vincent C. Gray (D-Ward 7), Zachary Parker (D-Ward 5), Robert White (D-At Large), Brooke Pinto (D-Ward 2) and Anita Bonds (D-At Large).

The Hearing

The hearing had 128 public witnesses. It lasted eight and a half hours, with witnesses limited to three minutes to deliver their testimony. No members of McDuffie’s committee made an appearance on the dais at the hearing.

One of the first witnesses was Evanston, Illinois’ Councilmember Devon Reid, who represents that city’s Ward 8. Reid noted Evanston's historic role in the reparation’s movement.

“We were the first city in the nation to create a reparations program for African Americans,” said Reid, 30. “We honed in on housing, but I encourage D.C. to look at the totality of their program. D.C. should look at policing and how slavery specifically impacted the city.”

Reid said the reparations program was paid for by Evanston’s cannabis sales tax and its real estate transfer tax.

Claire McFarland Barber, a leader of the Evanston Reparations Committee, said the District should aim for a local reparations program instead of following a national model.

“It can be tailored to the local community and should include housing, partnership with the agency will have an educational focus.

“It is all about increasing early exposure to careers,” he said. “It is about building a pipeline for students of color who reside east of the river. While I am fully aware of the history of the FBI, I want to make sure that we have people in those spaces and that people in D.C. will be fine. I have confidence in Agent Mines. At the end of the day, it is all about the students.” WI

@JamesWrightJr10 economic development and education,” she said.

Kamilah Moore is a member of the California reparations task force. McDuffie said California’s task force serves as the model for the District. Moore urged McDuffie to make sure that reparations are based not on race but lineage.

“A race-based solution could be struck down in court,” she said.

Nkechi Taifa, a District attorney who is active with the local and national reparations movement, reminded McDuffie that efforts to compensate the descendants of District slaves didn’t start with him.

“It was D.C. Councilmember Wilhelmina Rolark that sponsored a bill in 1990 to study reparations here in D.C.,” said Taifa. “D.C. should be given credit as the first major city to deal with reparations because of Rolark’s bill. But I am happy that his hearing is taking place. Reparations for Black people are very likely a reality and achievable within our lifetime.” WI

@JamesWrightJr10