Reparations

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Reparations

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Publish Date: August 13, 2025

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August 13, 2025 2:09 am

How the Reparations System Works This system is designed to fairly determine who qualifies, how much they receive, and in what form they’re paid. It’s based on documented history, measurable harms, an... View MoreHow the Reparations System Works This system is designed to fairly determine who qualifies, how much they receive, and in what form they’re paid. It’s based on documented history, measurable harms, and transparency so the process is credible and accountable. 1. Who Qualifies The program has three main eligibility paths: Direct Descendants of U.S. Enslaved Persons (before 1865) – People who can show their family was enslaved in the U.S. Victims of Post-1865 Government-Backed Discrimination – People or their parents/grandparents who suffered under laws or policies like Jim Crow segregation, redlining, discriminatory policing, or urban renewal displacement. Local Harms – Harms specific to a city or state, such as forced neighborhood clearances for highways or targeted police abuses. Applicants may qualify through one or more paths. 2. Measuring Harm Every type of harm is given a value—either a flat dollar amount or a percentage increase to the base award. Examples: Years living in a redlined neighborhood. Being displaced from a home by government projects. Attending segregated or underfunded schools. Experiencing wrongful imprisonment. The more harms and the longer the exposure, the higher the total. 3. How Payments Are Calculated The formula starts with a base payment for descendants of enslaved people. From there: Percent “multipliers” are added for long-term harms (e.g., +2% per year in redlined housing). Flat “add-ons” are included for specific events (e.g., $40,000 for being forced out of a home). A local wealth-gap adjustment increases the award in areas where the gap between Black and white wealth is widest. The final amount can be given in cash or split into other benefits. 4. How Payments Are Delivered Recipients can choose one or a mix of: Direct cash payments. Debt cancellation (student loans, medical debt, court fines). Housing support (down payments, grants). Business start-up capital. Baby bonds (savings for children to access as adults). Community investments (land trusts, cultural centers). 5. Oversight and Fairness An Independent Reparations Authority runs the program, with a majority Black governing board. Applicants have a clear appeals process. All decisions and payouts are publicly reported (without personal details). Fraud checks are in place, but they won’t require DNA unless the applicant chooses to provide it. 6. Funding Money comes from multiple sources: Federal taxes on large estates and certain profits. Redirected fines from discriminatory institutions. State and city contributions. Private matching funds (as extras, not replacements). 7. Why It’s Transparent The award formula is public. Applicants get a detailed breakdown showing: How their harms were documented. How each harm was valued. How the final number was calculated. This means anyone can verify that payments follow the same rules for everyone.

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