BY MONA AUSTIN
(The Slice): On February 17, the House Judiciary Subcommittee on civil rights held a hearing to explore Slavery Reparations (HR 40). The hearing focused on the history of slavery in America and gathering information to lead to establishing a federal commission that will "study and develop reparations proposals." Reparations that are eventually determined would be paid to the descendants of slaves for "America's original sin."
Herschel Walker, a former NFL football player testified in opposition of the bill saying, "Slavery ended 130 years ago," and asked "How can a father ask his son to do time for a crime he committed?" Walker says his perspective is religious which he believes seeks togetherness, while reparations teaches separation.
Walker's question removes any responsibility for the ramifications of slavery from whites living today, at a time when many whites are reckoning with the notion that systematic racism grants them privileges from birth.
The discussion is a part of a broader conversation on race and equality in America sparked by a series of race-specific outbreaks of violence and public mistreatment of Blacks caught on cell phone videos in recent years. In 2019, reparations bill (S.1083) led by U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, gained12 co-sponsors in the Senate. It was the first time such an effort was undertaken since the Reconstruction period.
House Democrats reintroduced H.R. 40 as Harvard released a new study on reparations and the negative impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on African American communities suggesting that reparations could have reduced the number of deaths, a reflection of the long-term affects of slavery on marginalized people.
Attorney Larry Elder, also spoke in opposition of reparations indicating educations and not having children out of wedlock would level the playing field for Blacks.
“The government must account for its ongoing role in perpetuating, supporting and upholding white supremacy,” said Rep. Cori Bush, during the hearing.
Holding a photo of a slave with a bruised in her hand, Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee (D-TX) stated there has never been an apology for slavery and the commission would address the reparations legally.
Hillary Shelton of the NAACP and and other prominent African Americans testified in support of reparations.
Committee chair, Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) co-sponsored the bill.