New York's Reparations Movement
By Darius Spearman (africanelements)
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The Push for Reparations in New York
The New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies is actively working to define what justice and repair could mean for Black New Yorkers (newsone.com). This nine-member commission, whose members were appointed by the governor and state legislative leaders, is tasked with examining the history of slavery in New York and its ongoing impact on Black communities (nyclu.org). Their discussions extend beyond simply financial compensation, aiming to address the deep-seated psychological and institutional harm that has persisted for generations.
The commission will hold a series of meetings to engage directly with state leaders, shaping the future of reparations in New York (newsone.com). Proposed solutions include direct payments, policy reforms, and long-term investments designed to uplift and empower Black New Yorkers (newsone.com). This comprehensive approach seeks to redress the legacy of slavery, Jim Crow laws, and racial discrimination, which have profoundly affected many aspects of society and the economy (newsone.com).
Defining Reparations and Their Scope
What Are Reparations?
Reparations: A process of making amends for historical injustices, such as slavery and its lasting effects. This can involve direct payments, policy changes, and investments aimed at addressing psychological and institutional harm.
Reparations are understood as a way to make amends for the institution of slavery and the continuous harm it has inflicted upon Black New Yorkers (nyclu.org). This includes addressing historical wrongs through various remedies. The California Reparations Report, for example, details the ongoing and compounding harms experienced by African Americans due to slavery and its persistent effects on American society (oag.ca.gov). That report proposes a comprehensive plan to address these harms.
The discussion around reparations in New York is not limited to financial compensation. It also encompasses other policies that would disproportionately benefit and support Black Americans, while also helping other New Yorkers (newsone.com). This broader perspective acknowledges the multifaceted impacts of historical injustices and seeks to create systemic change.
The Commission's Mandate and Timeline
The New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies has a clear mandate: to examine the institution of slavery in New York and its lasting discriminatory effects on Black New Yorkers (nyclu.org). The commission is expected to operate for at least 12 months, with a potential extension to 18 months (reparationsdaily.substack.com). Its primary deliverable is a report outlining remedies and recommendations to address the legacy of slavery and discrimination (nyclu.org).
Furthermore, the commission may remain active for up to a year after the official report is released (reparationsdaily.substack.com). This extended period would allow them to advocate for the implementation of their recommendations, ensuring that their findings translate into tangible policy changes and actions. The work of this commission is a significant step towards addressing historical injustices in New York.
Public Sentiment and the Path Forward
Public Support for Reparations in New York
Public Support for Reparations in New York
Public support for reparations in New York City is strong, with a majority of residents favoring meaningful action (newsone.com). The 2024 Reparations Poll revealed that more than half of those surveyed support investments in education, healthcare, land restitution, and economic development specifically for Black communities (newsone.com). This indicates a broad understanding that reparations involve more than just financial payouts.
However, a significant gap exists between this hope and the belief in actual implementation. While 48% of respondents expressed some support for reparations, only 21% believe that reparations will ever be implemented in New York (newsone.com). Among Black New Yorkers, the disparity is even more striking: 77% expressed support, but just 24% believe action will actually be taken (newsone.com). Despite this pessimism, 61% of New Yorkers said they would engage in at least one form of advocacy, such as voting for a pro-reparations candidate, discussing the issue with friends or family, or sharing information on social media (newsone.com).
Key Organizations Driving the Movement
Organizations like the BLIS Collective and New Yorkers for Reparations are actively working to advance the reparations movement in New York (newsone.com). The BLIS Collective, co-founded by Trevor Smith and Savannah Romero, serves as a hub for solidarity and action (newsone.com). It fosters collaboration among Black, Indigenous, and other transformative social movements committed to repair, decolonization, and cultural transformation. The term “decolonization” refers to the process of undoing colonialism, where a nation establishes and maintains its domination over dependent territories. “Cultural transformation” involves a significant shift in the norms, values, and practices of a society or group.
BLIS is one of over 100 organizations partnered with the grassroots coalition, New Yorkers for Reparations (newsone.com). Trevor Smith also contributed to the survey development team behind the 2024 Reparations Poll, which was conducted by New Yorkers for Reparations and Liberation Ventures (newsone.com). The BLIS Collective explores the connections between the Black-led movement for reparations and the Indigenous-led Land Back movement, focusing on shared histories and common goals for justice, sovereignty, and repair (newsone.com). “Sovereignty” in this context refers to the inherent right of Indigenous peoples to self-govern and control their lands, resources, and cultural practices. The Land Back movement advocates for the return of ancestral lands to Indigenous communities.
Historical Context of Reparations in the U.S.
The concept of reparations in the U.S. has historical precedent and is being explored through various models (hks.harvard.edu). A Harvard Kennedy School paper, “Normalizing Reparations: U.S. Precedent, Norms, and Models for Compensating Harms and Implications for Reparations to Black Americans,” discusses existing U.S. precedents for reparations (hks.harvard.edu). This historical context is crucial for understanding the current movement.
The discussion around reparations often includes various forms of redress, not solely direct payments, to address the multifaceted impacts of historical injustices (nyclu.org). This comprehensive approach acknowledges that the harm caused by slavery and systemic racism extends beyond economic deprivation, impacting psychological well-being and institutional structures (newsone.com). “Psychological harm” refers to the emotional and mental distress, trauma, and intergenerational impacts resulting from systemic oppression. “Institutional harm” refers to the ways in which established laws, policies, and practices within institutions (like education, housing, and justice systems) have historically and continue to disadvantage Black communities.
Quality of Life and Reparations
New Yorkers' Satisfaction Gap
New Yorkers’ Satisfaction Gap
Public sentiment in New York regarding overall quality of life and neighborhood satisfaction shows a growing disparity (cbcny.org). This trend could indirectly influence discussions around systemic issues like reparations. A 2025 report, “Straight from New Yorkers,” indicates that New Yorkers' feelings about their neighborhoods are more positive and consistent than their feelings about the city as a whole (cbcny.org).
In 2017, there was an 11-point satisfaction gap between neighborhood and city quality of life. This gap more than doubled to 22 points in 2025, driven by persistent dissatisfaction with the city as a whole (cbcny.org). More than half of New Yorkers across income groups rate satisfaction with their neighborhoods as excellent or good (cbcny.org). This growing divide in perception highlights underlying systemic issues that reparations efforts aim to address, as disparities in quality of life often disproportionately affect marginalized communities.
The BLIS Collective's Broader Vision
The BLIS Collective is not only focused on reparations but also on fostering radical collaboration and narrative alignment among various social movements (newsone.com). Their work extends to exploring the connections between the Black-led movement for reparations and the Indigenous-led Land Back movement (newsone.com). This approach recognizes shared histories and common goals for justice, sovereignty, and repair across different oppressed communities.
In a unique move, the BLIS Collective will be sponsoring local Washington, D.C., soccer team D.C. Cheddar for the 2025–2026 season (newsone.com). The team will feature the BLIS logo, and the collective will collaborate with local movement groups to advance liberation for oppressed communities both on and off the field. This initiative demonstrates their commitment to broad-based social change and community engagement.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Darius Spearman has been a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.
