| Design: theSkimm | Photo: Getty Images American Reckoning: Last year, Juneteenth officially became a federal holiday. It commemorates the day when the last enslaved Americans learned of their freedom — marking the end of slavery. But is a holiday all that the US can do to right the wrongs of history? The StoryThis weekend, people around the country will celebrate Juneteenth by supporting Black-owned businesses, attending local events, and learning more about the holiday’s significance — which gained visibility during 2020’s nationwide protests against police brutality. But some believe that the US should do more. Are we talking about…? Reparations? Yes. Slavery was a main institution of American life for more than 400 years. And even after it ended, Jim Crow laws and policies that perpetuated segregation, racism, and disenfranchisement in nearly every aspect of life. And the few Black Americans who were able to start building wealth were often terrorized or killed (see: the Tulsa Race Massacre). The idea of reparations was once a pipe dream. But it’s picked up steam as Americans across the country have called on the federal and local governments to take action towards racial equality. How would it work? There’s not a clear path forward yet. But options being discussed include cash, housing grants, scholarships, and baby bonds. Complicating matters is a debate over who would qualify. Some experts say anyone who can prove that their lineage traces back to formerly enslaved people should be included. But doing that research can be difficult and costly for individuals to take on. Others believe the overall toll that the legacy of slavery has had on Black Americans should be considered. So, where do things stand? There’s been very little action on the federal level. A House committee has passed a bill to create a commission to study slavery and discrimination in the US. But it has yet to vote on it. Some states and local govs (see: California and Evanston, IL) are taking steps like setting up task forces or signing bills to act. But others argue that reparations would be too expensive and complicated to take on. Plus, polls have found that a majority of Americans are still against cash reparations. theSkimm Juneteenth becoming a national holiday was a positive but symbolic step. It’s been nearly two centuries since slavery ended in the US. But the effects of it are still felt. Reparations are considered to be a way to narrow the racial wealth gap that still exists in the US. But the path to making them a reality is proving slow and challenging. PS: Want to learn more about systemic racism in the US? Click here. | 