Juneteenth

In 2014, writing for The Atlantic, author Ta-Nehisi Coates made the argument for reparations as recompense for our nation’s history of racism and slavery.  His argument was powerful and, for many, myself included, persuasive.  A wave  of pro-reparations discussions followed in the wake of Coates’ article, but no policy (or even policy proposals) materialized.  It was 2014 and many white Americans were happily living in the hazy fantasy bubble of a post-racial America.  

Between the activism of Black Lives Matter and the election of 2016, it would be fair to say that the 2014 bubble has decisively burst.  That we are having real conversations on the color of our national divide and the history (and current reality) of racial inequality in this nation is a good thing for all parties, even if it’s been driven by a resurgence of some very ugly racism.   And while reparations payments are still not on the bi-partisan policy table, the idea and arguments for it have become significantly more mainstream.  Elizabeth Warren is running for the presidency and she has a very real proposal on the issue.  Another presidential candidate for 2020, Cory Booker, is also talking about reparations in a serious and thoughtful fashion.  

Today, the House of Representatives is holding hearings about the prospect of reparations payments.  Coates and Booker will be among the supporters testifying before Congress.  That these conversations happen in the midst of a nation no longer under the illusion that we are a post-racial America is a sign of progress.  In 2014, Coates wrote that “reparations would mean a revolution of the American consciousness, a reconciling of our self-image as the great democratizer with the facts of our history.”   His words are a reminder that our past is no distant memory.  I am glad that the conversation about reparations is gaining traction.  I’ve no notion that reparations payments or policies are around the corner.  But on this Juneteenth, we can at least be hopeful.