July 27th 2024.
In December 2023, Governor Kathy Hochul of New York signed a bill that established a commission to study reparations for the descendants of enslaved people and to examine New York's role in the slave trade. And now, after months of preparations, the commission is finally ready to hold its first meeting.
According to reports from Spectrum News, the New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies will convene on July 30 at the Capitol in Albany. Their goal is to create a plan for their work, which is estimated to take around a year and a half to complete. Once finished, the commission will present their findings directly to the legislature before the end of 2025. This process is similar to what California has already started with their own reparations study.
While slavery was officially abolished in New York in 1827, there were still insurance companies in the state that would insure enslaved individuals. To ensure a diverse and well-rounded group, Governor Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie have appointed a range of commissioners, including experts from HBCUs, civil rights and poverty advocates, and faith leaders.
Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, who sponsored the bill that Gov. Hochul signed into law, expressed her excitement about the commission's diversity. She believes that each commissioner brings a unique perspective from their respective backgrounds, whether it be in the public, private, or academic sectors.
The New York State budget for 2024 has allocated $5 million for the study, which will investigate the impacts of original enslavement, segregation, Jim Crow laws, and present-day racism. Solages is confident that the commission's report will serve as a starting point for addressing the issues caused by America's original sin and its lasting effects.
"I believe they will produce a report that highlights how we can begin the healing process and dismantle the systems that were designed to oppress individuals in New York," Solages shared with Spectrum. "Whether it's through redlining, unfair housing policies, or economic practices, there are still systems in place that need to be dismantled for a more just and equitable New York."
Solages also has hope for what the commission can achieve. "We have been talking about the disenfranchisement of Black Americans for centuries," she said. "This is a historic moment to come together and acknowledge that our past does not define our future. We have the power to create a better future for all."
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