NY Governor Signs Legislation to Establish a Commission for Slavery Reparations

New York is one step ahead. A bill was signed Tuesday morning that makes it one step closer to giving reparations for slavery.

Kathy Hochul, the Governor of New York, said that the signing of the bill will now create a commission that will study what reparations may look like in the state while also expressing that the bill is not about fixing the past but about doing more for African Americans and “bending the arc of justice.”

“If this committee can present a viable path forward to helping the descendants of New York slaves and addressing the harms and disparities that exist in education, that exist in healthcare, that exist in the environment, that will lift all of us up,” Hochul added.

Governor Hochul discussed New York’s connection to the Underground Railroad and the history of slavery during the press conference, as reported by Rochester First.

“What’s hard to embrace is that our state flourished from that slavery. It’s not a beautiful story, but indeed it is the truth,” Hochul continued. “Today, I challenge all New Yorkers to be the patriots and rebuke and not excuse our role in benefitting from the institution of slavery.”

During her speech, Hochul highlighted the fact that Black people in the US have been suffering from racial discrimination for decades, starting from the time of slavery. As a result, they have been subjected to practices such as redlining, housing discrimination, and segregation, which have had a negative and profound impact on their lives. These effects are still visible today, with the Black community struggling with poverty, illnesses, high infant mortality rates, and difficulties in accessing education and homeownership.

Reverend Al Sharpton was also in attendance and called the legislation “a historic day.”

“You cannot heal unless you deal with the wounds, and this bill will put a commission together to be healing the wounds,” Rev. Sharpton said. “Only those that have seen people marginalized for even raising the issue can understand the historic significance of today.”

I spoke at an event today where @GovKathyHochul signed a bill aimed at giving reparations for slavery.
Hochul said that by signing the bill, a commission will be created to study what reparations may look like in New York. pic.twitter.com/6tl72P55oR

— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) December 19, 2023

The commission will provide a report of its findings and recommendations to the state no later than a year after the date of its first mission.