September 7th 2025.
The federal government has made it clear that they are taking a direct interest in the local application of reparations. This became apparent when the Department of Justice threatened to investigate the suggestions made by the Asheville-Buncombe Community Reparations Commission, which were recently submitted to Buncombe County in North Carolina. The letter, obtained by The Asheville Watchdog, outlines the department's concerns about potential violations of federal civil rights laws, specifically citing the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. In the letter, Harmeet K. Dhillon, assistant attorney general of the DOJ's Civil Rights Division, stated that they are closely monitoring the county's actions and are prepared to take action if necessary.
The Commission's recommendations were the result of a historic step taken by the city of Asheville and Buncombe County to address the enduring harms of systemic racism. The report included suggestions for creating a Black wealth-building fund, establishing community land trusts, improving access to culturally responsive healthcare, reimagining school curricula to reflect Black history, and transforming public safety systems. The report also emphasized the importance of ongoing accountability through a permanent reparations oversight body.
Despite the Commission's efforts, there has been resistance from the Trump administration, with some arguing that the administration's objections are rooted in a belief in reverse racism. Dwight Mullen, a retired University of North Carolina Asheville political science professor and former chair of the Commission, stated that the administration's response is consistent with their past actions of cutting off data and dismissing claims of racism. However, he also acknowledged that a local government does not have the resources to fight against the federal government in a court battle.
This resistance from the Trump administration is further highlighted by their response to the January 6 insurrectionists, who were largely white Americans. In March, Trump hinted at the possibility of providing compensation to these individuals, whom he has repeatedly referred to as "patriots." This sparked outrage, with many pointing out the irony of considering reparations for the insurrectionists while refusing to even have a serious conversation about reparations for the descendants of slavery.
As Senator Cory Booker stated when he reintroduced the "Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act," America has failed to repay Black Americans for its original sin of enslavement. He emphasized the need for a serious study to understand the ways in which slavery, racism, and white supremacy continue to disadvantage African Americans today. Any discussion of reparations for insurrectionists only serves to highlight the stark contrast between the government's willingness to compensate white Americans and their reluctance to address the ongoing injustices faced by Black Americans.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
