‘It’s not a handout, it’s a hand up.’ Detroit to explore reparations for African American residents

DETROIT (WXYZ) – This urge to make amends is still in its infancy, but those behind it say it is long overdue and is beginning to acknowledge the damage.

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“People who have a problem with making amends … let’s have a conversation. Let me find out what your problem is, and I guarantee you … by the time we leave this conversation you will have other thoughts about making amends, “said Attorney Todd Perkins.

Perkins has joined the Michigan Democratic Party Black Caucus, a grassroots organization, to seek reparations for black Detroiters. By definition, reparations are the making up of an injustice by paying money or in some way helping those who have been wronged.

“I know it’s not a guide, you know, it’s a hand up. It’s something Black Detroit owes … we’re going to start studying and researching what other cities are doing, what works best in Detroit but I think it’s about building Detroit’s economy, generational wealth, home ownership, things we’ve historically been left out of, “said Detroit City Council President Pro Tem Mary Sheffield.

Sheffield tabled a reparations resolution saying that African Americans have been systematically oppressed and harmed through slavery, racial segregation, policing, imprisonment and voter suppression.

Resolution Supporting Community Reparation 04.23.21 from WXYZ-TV Channel 7 Detroit on Scribd

“There are many needs, many problems. There have been a lot of discriminatory measures that so many Detroiters have left out … in terms of creating generational wealth for their families, we want to investigate the reparations issue, “she said.

And any redress would not necessarily come in the form of a monthly payment to qualified black Detroiters. But Perkins said the money could come from the Detroit marijuana tax.

“First, they’re new funds … I know so many African American people who went to jail for their involvement in marijuana … and it’s an activity that is legal today,” Perkins said.

The Chicago suburb of Evanston is the first in the country to introduce a redemption program for its black residents in the form of a $ 25,000 home improvement loan for those who suffered from discriminatory housing policies.

Todd Perkins has put nearly 4,000 signatures on the city to get a nomination that would change the statutes to allow a group of Detroiters to decide how funds are used.

“If this is a democracy then let democracy happen and at least let people talk about how they spend their money,” he said.

This Friday, those behind this redress drive in Detroit will hold a press conference to begin engaging the community for their contribution.