San Francisco is on the path to becoming the first major US city to provide reparations to its eligible Black residents, with a bold plan that has sparked a heated debate.
The proposal includes giving $5 million to each qualifying individual, providing an annual guaranteed income of $97,000, and offering homes for $1 per family.
While advocates argue that such measures are necessary to address the historical injustices of slavery and racism, some critics, including white individuals angered by the plan, have taken to Twitter to voice their concerns.
https://twitter.com/larryelder/status/1636742419726336000?s=20
Exactly, and some have the AUDACITY to want to say Black Americans (#Freedmen) do not deserve #reparations! https://t.co/GEow01XwqS
— MarcelForCongress (@Marcel4Congress) March 19, 2023
#Reparations B#######. pic.twitter.com/ufqQB1BIK8
— GitzenShiggles (@XanSolskjaer) March 19, 2023
The city’s Board of Supervisors has started evaluating the recommendations by a city-appointed panel, which has garnered both support and opposition.
The reparations plan is considered by many to be the most comprehensive policy effort in the US on the contentious issue of reparations.
Backers of the proposal assert that it’s crucial in redressing the long-standing effects of slavery and racist policies that have disproportionately impacted Black Americans in various aspects of life, such as poverty, health, incarceration, and economic status.
However, detractors – including some political liberals in San Francisco – have labeled the plan a financial and political disaster. They argue that residents of California, who were never slave owners, shouldn’t be forced to provide financial assistance to people who were not enslaved.
Even the San Francisco chapter of the NAACP spoke out against the proposed plan.
Reparations…. pic.twitter.com/hFWX7faBTC
— NAACPSF (@NAACPSF1) March 15, 2023
Moreover, some have raised concerns over the feasibility of funding such an initiative amidst a downturn in the tech industry in Silicon Valley, which serves as San Francisco’s primary hub.
The cost analysis of the proposals has yet to be completed by the committee, with the panel’s final report expected to be released in June. It will then be up to the state legislature to draft any actual measures and decide whether to vote to pass them.
The reparations debate has gained traction in the US in recent years, particularly following the nationwide racial justice movement in 2020.
That same year, California became the first state to form a reparations task force, and since then, the Boston City Council has also approved a similar task force.
One of the main challenges discussed in San Francisco is determining who qualifies for reparations. Although approximately 50,000 Black people reside in the city, how many would be eligible is unclear.
To qualify under the current plan, an individual must be at least 18 years old and have identified as Black or African American in public documents for a minimum of ten years.
Despite supporting the reparations plan, the idea faces fierce backlash from some white people who disagree with the city’s proposal.
These individuals have taken to Twitter to express their disapproval, contributing to the ongoing debate over the fairness and feasibility of the plan.
Fun Fact:
1/3 of Africa was Slave.
Blacks owe Blacks Reparations.#Reparations— MEGA MAGA SUPER HOT CHILI (@wmwms224) March 19, 2023
#racism is okay when “they” do it – right?#Reparations won’t change a damn thing. https://t.co/9VY44KgtuM
— KL Copen (@KLC1632) March 19, 2023
Every time an immigrant speaks against reparations there's another reason for Black Americans to vote against immigration 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 #Reparations We paid for them they don't want to pay us https://t.co/VxVJLD60RO
— Bloodpac (@thebloodpac) March 19, 2023
There were approximately 600k slaves transported to the United States from Africa (https://t.co/CVWsTG5O3z).
Interestingly that is very close to the number of casualties for Union soldiers trying to end slavery (https://t.co/nf3k8QM5ql).
If we are considering #Reparations for… pic.twitter.com/wrB7F40mgL
— Dr. Matthew M. Wielicki (@MatthewWielicki) March 17, 2023
Unbelievable. ALL those people standing around watching. No wonder these #Thugs keep doing this. They're not afraid because they KNOW that nobody will stop them AND they won't get arrested. #ghettoTrash #reparations will fix this, right @POTUS @JoeBiden @KamalaHarris ?
— Minnie Toy (@123magickingdom) March 19, 2023
Everybody running around asking for reparations..I will wait for my reward in heaven than to take something from somebody else and assume it to myself out of laziness..Pastor Jesse Gistand Grace Bible Church #gbchayward #bayarea #California #reparations pic.twitter.com/KAjleMdoWc
— Truthseeker24 (@saritajr24) March 19, 2023