Politics
NY Governor Ignites Controversy, Signs Bill for Reparations Commission Amid Fears of Racial Divisions
"Kathy Hochul swearing in 2021" by NY Senate Photo is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Clear Facts
- New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed a bill to establish a commission to study the history of slavery in the state and explore potential forms of reparations.
- The commission, consisting of nine members, will examine the impact of slavery on Black communities in New York and propose remedies to its negative effects.
- Despite potential political risks and concerns of exacerbating racial divisions, Hochul and supporters like Rev. Al Sharpton believe it’s essential to address the lasting impact of slavery.
Governor Kathy Hochul of New York state has put pen to paper on a bill that will form a “community commission to study the history of slavery in New York state.”
The commission’s mandate includes examining “various forms of reparations.”
Hochul noted the state’s dark history with slavery, stating, “Here in New York, there was a slave market where people bought and sold other human beings with callous disregard. It happened right on Wall Street for more than a century.”
Despite the abolition of slavery in New York in 1827, Hochul acknowledged the state’s continued involvement in the illegal slave trade and the prosperity it brought to financial and business institutions. The commission’s task is to delve into the impact of slavery on Black people throughout New York state’s history and propose solutions to counter its negative effects on Black communities.
The commission will be composed of nine individuals, with the governor, state assembly speaker, and the majority leader of the New York Senate each selecting three members.
Hochul acknowledged the contentious nature of the term ‘reparations,’ stating, “I know the word ‘reparations’ brings up a lot of conflicting ideas for people. A lot of people instinctively dig in when they hear it without really thinking about what it means or why we need to talk about it.”
Hochul also addressed the responsibility of Americans, even those whose families arrived in the U.S. after the abolition of slavery, to confront its impact on Black communities. She expressed concern about potential racial divisions this conversation could incite but emphasized the importance of acknowledging and addressing the past.
Rev. Al Sharpton, who spoke briefly after Hochul, thanked the governor for signing the bill despite warnings from her political allies.
Sharpton said, “And I know her political advisors told her it is too risky. But she did it because it’s right.”
He also revealed that he had met with Hochul the previous week and that she had expressed her commitment to signing the bill despite its potential unpopularity.
The commission is set to deliver its initial report approximately one year after its formation.
Clear Thoughts (op-ed)
Governor Hochul’s decision to sign a bill establishing a reparations commission, despite warnings of exacerbating racial divisions, is troubling.
This commission’s task to study the impact of slavery and propose reparations is not only politically risky but also threatens to divide communities further.
The term ‘reparations’ indeed brings up conflicting ideas, as Hochul acknowledges. Yet, she insists on pushing this agenda, disregarding the potential for discord it could cause.
While it is essential to acknowledge and learn from our past, using it to incite divisions is counterproductive.
The governor’s pursuit of this course, despite warnings from her allies, raises questions about her priorities. Is it about social justice, or is it about political posturing?
The American public deserves clear answers, not divisive policies.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Eyes Wide Open
December 26, 2023 at 6:43 pm
More liberal BS. I’m not sure slavery in New York was ever a thing. Weren’t they in the Union. Talk about election interference and buying votes with all other ethnicities paying for it. If the libs were really fair they would see the obvious racial bias in such talks. Too bad politicians are such frauds and ruining a once great country. It will probably be Trumps fault when a terrorist attack occurs in the US because they’ve been invited in thru the front door of the southern border. It’s sad that people don’t vote their conscience but rather vote on party lines whether right or wrong. Hochul is an embarrassment to the country and a bigoted racist desperate for votes after toeing the line for poor decisions. Disgraceful, will people ever wake up to the fraudulent liberal fools creating an elite government who could care less about its citizens. If she was doing a good job she wouldn’t have to buy votes with hard working taxpayer dollars.
Dr. Caligari
December 26, 2023 at 6:51 pm
Frankly, I do not see any other countries that allowed slavery offering reparations and there are a lot of them out there!
Patrick M Green
December 27, 2023 at 2:02 pm
We are Americans black and white but our country went into Kuwait and fought for that country to keep their slaves
Sdl
December 26, 2023 at 6:59 pm
Not a living person today can claim they have known slavery.In my entire life, I have never seen discrimination, nor perpetrated it in any way. My grandparents were immigrants and never taught us any discriminatory acts, words or thoughts. It is most recent that Barack Obama began a regime to divide America via racism.
Sandy
December 26, 2023 at 7:16 pm
If any group is due reparations, look to the native Americans. The British, French, Dutch, and Spanish governments, followed by the US Government, broke every treaty, rounded up and relocated thousands to reservations, and kidnapped their children to force them to “Americanize”, and to this day those reservations are still in existence. And yet, every one of them would answer the call to arms if needed, unlike many descendants of slavery who can only see past their next welfare check, and who think the world (us taxpayers) owes them a living.
Carol Schofield
December 26, 2023 at 7:17 pm
If anyone deserves reparations its the Irish! The Irish died to free the slaves along with average americans, white Americans. Who died to free the Irish? This is a disgrace and a token to shut us these people. They have the same opportunities as the rest of us and need to stop crying poor me. As long as it gets them compensated in anyway they will not stop. the Italliams also had it hard coming here. So stop with the poor mouth and take responsibility for yourselves and your people and make things better for all of us as we, the Irish have done as well as Itallians and jews to boot!
David
December 26, 2023 at 7:32 pm
Interesting! All while hochul is in the process of getting her detainment (quarantine) camps. Only she is allowed to enslave? A recent court ruling brought it back to life. This criminal will lock you up with no terms for release.
Ken Blom
December 26, 2023 at 8:17 pm
I think the entire government is going crazy. The fact that those in charge are offering reparations is absurd. Show me ONE slave alive today. It’s impossible. The definition of reparations is ” to make a repair or restitution to an injured person or nation from an act of war.” There are no slaves in America today. The slaves who were brought here hundreds of years ago were sold to slave traders for goods by their own king. The problem is we have a generation or two of people who have cried the loudest about their lack of financial resources. Money does not fall out of the sky. I attended one of the largest BLACK congregation churches in NY. There was no talk of how much the government owed the black citizen. And don’t forget the government is all of the people but we don’t get to voice our opinion in this matter. Just 9 hand picked people. How disgraceful. The promise to all Americans is an opportunity to succeed, not a GUARANTEE. Ken
Glenn LeMaster
December 26, 2023 at 8:42 pm
We’ve all heard this crap before, They want people who were never slave owners to pay people who were never slaves a substantial amount of money. NONE of my ancestors were even here during slavery days, do I get a pass? Did any of the freed slaves go back to their home countries? NO! Why are they still here, if they’re treated so badly? ANSWERS?????
Stephen Carl Kirtland
December 26, 2023 at 9:14 pm
The real truth behind the “reparations” scam is that the money they are seeking would never get to the pocket of any claimant. Every cent would be siphoned (vacuumed, more accurately speaking) into NGOs operated by the racebaiters like Obama and his cronies. Everyone who ever owned slaves in the US is dead several generations. Every slave has been freed long ago. Injustice due to race is, in modern day America, an individual circumstance that is best dealt with individually. Social justice is merely an attempt at vengeance, revenge under the color of law. In other words, an injustice committed as a repayment for past injustice against people no longer available to be made whole under judicial order. Stop the pandering nonsense and start the real healing, replacing scars with new growth. As my grandmother used to tell us kids, “Let your hurts alone. If you pick at it, it will never heal.” Grandma wisdom will do more for everyone than racebaiting resentment and money grubbing lawyers ever can.
barry Gilmore
December 26, 2023 at 9:20 pm
HOCHUL. Just a(nother) DEM-MARXIST “DIVIDER” Like BIDEN! This “commission” will go NOWHERE!!! CANT! NOP BUDGET. she fails to mention this. How do I know? Already “tried” in CA. – S.F. – & disbanded/defunded – with their Police! Jsut PLAYING THE BLAK VOTE!! DEMS – been doing it well, since CIVIL WAR DAYS!!! HAH.
(Who created the KKK? Who created ‘JIM CROWE LAWS”? …hint: DEMS! – not Repubs!)
Colby Goodson
December 27, 2023 at 7:00 am
Irish, Asian, German, Natives. There gonna have a hard time pleasing everyone. I’m American. I’m part of the ones paying for it. They won’t get it from me without a fight.
Fred Calim
December 27, 2023 at 7:58 am
This is so wrong. The slaves should pay us for bringing them over to America. They have the opportunity to do well if they would stay in free schools and get an education. The descendants now live a better life then those in Africa. They should forget the free handouts and earn a living like the rest of us.
Mac Patterson
December 27, 2023 at 3:14 pm
I am 100% for reparations. If you were officially a “slave” in this country and are still alive , then you should get reparations. If not T.S. The Indians are the ones that were screwed in this country.
Season341
December 27, 2023 at 8:40 pm
Are $$ reparations intended to completely remove the history of slavery in America? Can money really accomplish this? When the money is paid, will that era be completely erased from our nation’s history (at least in NY) and never spoken of again? Sure hope not! Being from a family whose ancestors were oppressed but never were, or owned, slaves and fought to eliminate the practice, I will forever wish every child could listen to and learn from the wonderful stories told by Uncle Remus to ALL the plantation children who loved him, could grow up singing “Zip-a-de-do-dah” and “Old Man River”, crying while watching”Roots” and “Gone With the Wind”, and be taught to fully appreciate all the wonderful attributes and contributions our brothers and sisters of all nationalities whose families endured that era have contributed to this nation without denying that it existed. Yes, it existed and is a bitter lesson for all of us to learn from, never forget, and never repeat. By denying man’s inhumanity toward his fellow man or believing that the past can be erased, changed, perfected with money serves only to deprive future generations of historical reference. Will they come to believe that no matter how they oppress, denigrate, treat others that money will exonerate them? Future generations will come closer to repeating such errors than not. I can’t imagine being an American and NOT being told of or learning about our historical goodness along with our many mistakes including slavery. Nations are comprised of individual human beings, all of which “have stumbled and fallen short”. Millions of every race have risen from their lot in life, like the Phoenix, proving again and again that all of mankind are spiritual beings truly made in God’s image possessing attributes of strength, wisdom, fortitude, forgiveness, talent, soul and have blessed America with their contributions to our nation via the arts, music, dance, literature, and physical acumen. For instance, can we please continue to teach our children to appreciate how unique American music is due to the influence not only of our African brothers & sisters, but also the Irish, Europeans, Russians, Mayan, Native Americans, those from the Orient…this list is long and inclusive of so many which is what makes America unique in our world. Finally, there is one more song that I must reference called, “Carefully Taught” from South Pacific (1949) with music/lyrics by the very gifted Rodgers and Hammerstein whose ancestors were also persecuted, which are:
You’ve got to be taught to hate and fear.
You’ve got to be taught from year to year.
It’s got to be drummed in your dear little ear.
You’ve got to be carefully taught.
You’ve got to be taught before it’s too late.
Before you are six or seven or eight
To hate all the people your relatives hate.
You’ve got to be carefully taught.
You’ve got to be carefully taught.
Nearly seventy years ago, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein wrote this song for their new musical, South Pacific. The song in the second act, “Carefully Taught”, explained that children aren’t born with hatred for or fear of others. They naturally are curious and love each other but are taught to be judgmental. They are taught to not be accepting. They are taught to be hateful. Sadly, some children are now being taught to hate themselves physically as well as their heritage via omission of truth and commission of lies by trusted adults.
Children are watching. What are they learning? What are they being carefully taught? We CAN do better!
Gerald R. Snyder
March 12, 2024 at 11:33 am
The hell with reparations, they don’t deserve anything but 2 good hands to work with and will keep on begging as long as the Government keeps coddling and catering to them. Sick and tired of all the whining and crying to get more benefits and freebies that they do not deserve. This Country is going to hell because of all this BS. I never use to feel this way but their actions and attitudes has changed my opinion of them.
El
March 12, 2024 at 11:33 am
One commenter explained how this is just money-laundering to put money into the Democrats’ pockets.
I’d like to add that many of us Americans’ families came to America AFTER slavery and have lawfully immigrated. We should not be made to pay one cent.
If we start forcing people’s children to atone for ancestors’ sins, then I want every Democrat to fund 100% of taxes in America—they’re the ones who fought for slavery, and they’re the ones who fought against civil rights. They are completely responsible.
Disgusted Patriot
March 29, 2024 at 7:15 am
Why doesn’t rev Al use all the $$$ he has from not paying his taxes all those years and put that in the reparations coffers? I’m sure all the people will appreciate it. Here’s a thought: anyone who is alive who was a slave should get reparations from any slave owner currently alive.
Gov Hochul: WHERE’S THE MONEY COMING FROM??? NYS is in serious debt already. At the rate business is leaving NY, there won’t be anyone left to tax for this plan.