Kamala Harris Expresses Openness to Exploring Reparations for Slavery

[Social Media]

 

Kamala Harris, the vice president of the United States and a candidate for the 2024 presidential election, has indicated she is open to exploring reparations for slavery, marking a potential shift in national discourse on racial justice. During an interview with reporters from the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) in Philadelphia, Harris emphasized the importance of confronting the long-lasting effects of America’s historical injustices, including slavery, redlining, and Jim Crow laws.

REPARATIONS: Kamala Harris says she would use executive powers and ask Congress to consider slavery reparations if elected president. pic.twitter.com/S4mKGyEqvy

— Dominic Michael Tripi (@DMichaelTripi) September 18, 2024

 

“We need to speak truth about the generational impact of our history, in terms of the generational impact of slavery, the generational impact of redlining, of Jim Crow law,” Harris said. She hinted that studying the issue is a critical first step to determine the appropriate course of action. However, she acknowledged that any substantial move on reparations would ultimately require action from Congress. “I’m not discounting the importance of any executive action,” she explained, “but ultimately Congress [will have to act] because if you’re going to talk about it in any substantial way, there will be hearings, there will be a level of public education and dialogue.”

 

Harris’s comments reflect a cautious approach to the highly divisive issue of reparations, which has sparked debate across the country. Reparations, which broadly refer to efforts to address the historical harm caused by slavery and discrimination, do not necessarily imply direct financial compensation to the descendants of enslaved people. Harris has expressed support for “some form” of reparations in the past, though she has not detailed what that might entail during her current campaign.

 

The conversation around reparations has gained momentum in recent years, with states like New York, Illinois, and California taking steps to address the lingering social inequalities rooted in decades of systemic discrimination. However, the issue remains deeply polarizing. A Washington Post poll from last year revealed that 75% of Black Americans support federal reparations, while only 15% of white Americans and 36% of Hispanic Americans agree.

 

Harris’s stance on reparations could influence her standing among Black voters, a demographic that polls suggest has grown increasingly disillusioned with the Democratic Party. Some of her allies believe that embracing reparations could help win back these voters. However, others fear that the topic could alienate more voters than it attracts, given the stark racial divide on the issue.

 

Throughout her career, Harris has largely avoided engaging in debates centered on identity politics. As the first Black woman to lead a major party’s presidential ticket, she has often navigated discussions about race with care. During the NABJ interview, she underscored the importance of not assuming support from Black voters based solely on her heritage. “I think it’s very important to not operate from the assumption that Black men are in anybody’s pocket,” she said. “Black men are like any other voting group, you’ve gotta earn their vote. So I’m working to earn the vote, not assuming I’m going to have it because I am Black.”

 

Her comments reflect the delicate balance she must strike as she seeks to unite a broad coalition of voters in the 2024 election, particularly at a time when Republican candidate Donald Trump has been gaining traction among Black men. In contrast to Harris, Trump has consistently focused on identity politics, taking aim at Harris’s dual heritage. In his own address to the NABJ, Trump controversially claimed that Harris had only recently “happened to turn Black.” His remarks highlight the growing tensions surrounding race in the upcoming election.

 

Credit: Daily Telegraph 2024-09-19

 

 

 

[Tug]

The header is a bit misleading she’s not openly advocating for reparations 

[impulse]

55 minutes ago, Tug said:

The header is a bit misleading she’s not openly advocating for reparations 

 

A more accurate title would be "Harris panders to a black crowd, saying whatever will get her the votes"

[thaibeachlovers]

How about reparations for the Native Americans for having all their land stolen, genocide, ethnic cleansing and breach of treaties?

Perhaps they don't count because they don't have a significant population to vote for Harris. Do they even have a vote?

[mdr224]

Where will they get the money from for this? More inflation?

[Tug]

3 minutes ago, mdr224 said:

Where will they get the money from for this? More inflation?

Reading the article may help you understand……but hey why get in the way of misinformation ehh?

[stoner]

3 minutes ago, Tug said:

8 minutes ago, mdr224 said:

Where will they get the money from for this? More inflation?

Reading the article may help you understand……but hey why get in the way of misinformation ehh?

 

how specifically will congress come up with the money ? 

[stoner]

19 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

How about reparations for the Native Americans for having all their land stolen, genocide, ethnic cleansing and breach of treaties?

Perhaps they don't count because they don't have a significant population to vote for Harris. Do they even have a vote?

ouch.

[Tug]

10 minutes ago, stoner said:

 

how specifically will congress come up with the money ? 

It’s a moot point it’s not being discussed it isn’t up for a vote it’s just gaslighting no more no less 

[stoner]

24 minutes ago, Tug said:

It’s a moot point it’s not being discussed it isn’t up for a vote it’s just gaslighting no more no less 

 

what are you on about ? it's everything.  people will want to know where the money will come from. 

 

exactly where. we are not talking about a few dollars here tug.

 

 

[mdr224]

29 minutes ago, Tug said:

It’s a moot point it’s not being discussed it isn’t up for a vote it’s just gaslighting no more no less 

Americans cant afford groceries anymore. I have trouble believing people that actually live here will stand for any more of this. 

[EVENKEEL]

 

[JonnyF]

4 hours ago, Social Media said:

“We need to speak truth about the generational impact of our history, in terms of the generational impact of slavery, the generational impact of redlining, of Jim Crow law,” Harris said. She hinted that studying the issue is a critical first step to determine the appropriate course of action.

 

Oh dear. I knew she couldn't stay quiet much longer.

 

I'd imagine the Democrats are frantically searching for the keys to that basement right now. "Get her back in there for goodness sake, she's exposing herself". 

[stevenl]

2 hours ago, impulse said:

 

A more accurate title would be "Harris panders to a black crowd, saying whatever will get her the votes"

I don't think getting votes is the issue, more 'not losing votes'.

 

Stirring the pot by the daily telegraph, no surprise.

[Chomper Higgot]

What VP Harris actually said is spot on.

 

She unequivocally states this is a job for Congress, not that her clarity on that will deter the willfully ill-informed drawing their usual biased and unsupported conclusions.

 

 

[spidermike007]

Not a good idea, you cannot take 14% of a nation and say we're going to give you a fortune because our ancestors hundreds of years ago made these egregious errors. Society was different, culture was different, and slavery has been the norm for millennium. And where you going to stop, are you going to extend that to everyone from South America with African blood? Where you going to draw the line?

 

Her advisors need to sit her down, give her a very stern talking to, perhaps slap her up the side of the head, and set her off on the straight and narrow path. 

 

Just accept it, get on with it make the most of your life and stop the incessant victimization. 

[RichardColeman]

7 hours ago, impulse said:

 

A more accurate title would be "Harris panders to a black crowd, saying whatever will get her the votes"

Worked for Starmer with old people, now look at the idiots freezing and complaining 

[EVENKEEL]

Buy stocks in Newport cigarettes.

[Thingamabob]

This is a potential game-changer. If Congress decides to run with this it will eventually have to address the inevitable questions which arise ie who pays, how much, to whom ? 

[Irish star]

8 hours ago, stoner said:

 

how specifically will congress come up with the money ? 

Trump always manages to Grift I’m sure theirs a way 

[1duckyboy]

1 hour ago, EVENKEEL said:

Buy stocks in Newport cigarettes.

Flavored tobacco products are banned in California, that would include menthol cigarettes.  

[OneZero]

9 hours ago, Tug said:

The header is a bit misleading she’s not openly advocating for reparations 

She wants to have it both ways.

[brewsterbudgen]

1 minute ago, OneZero said:

She wants to have it both ways.

 

Yes, she's a politician.

[NORDO]

I'd call it, "I need more black voters".

 

[digger70]

10 hours ago, Social Media said:

We need to speak truth about the generational impact of our history, in terms of the generational impact of slavery,

 

10 hours ago, Social Media said:

She hinted that studying the issue is a critical first step to determine the appropriate course of action. However, she acknowledged that any substantial move on reparations would ultimately require action from Congress.

 

10 hours ago, Social Media said:

she acknowledged that any substantial move on reparations would ultimately require action from Congress. “I’m not discounting the importance of any executive action,” she explained, “but ultimately Congress [will have to act] because if you’re going to talk about it in any substantial way, there will be hearings, there will be a level of public education and dialogue.”

 

Trying very hard  to drum up Black Votes. 

What is in the past  Leave it there , By stirring  the pot only cause more trouble.

Did see that happen in Aus with the Aborigines and  Whiteys ,Always a Racial Clash for Power and Compensation  for what happen  in the past generations  Leave it be .

[wwest5829]

8 hours ago, stoner said:

ouch.

 

8 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

How about reparations for the Native Americans for having all their land stolen, genocide, ethnic cleansing and breach of treaties?

Perhaps they don't count because they don't have a significant population to vote for Harris. Do they even have a vote?

Some folks need a U.S. History lesson. Yes, native Americans have the right to vote since being made citizens of the US 100 years ago. Whoa, let’s not forget that states refused them the right to vote and even today one political party is increasing requirements restricting their eligibility to vote. Just as was done to blacks with Jim Crow Laws earlier this century. Did you pick up on my secondary point here? States deciding … not all citizens of the USA having American Rights … the move is to “let the states decide”. One might ask why this is being done? Decide and weaken the USA as a United country.

[Dionigi]

Please petition the German Government, the Swedish Government, the Danish Government, The Norwegian Government and the French government for my reparations foe invading, enslaving and causing suffering to my ancestors.

[cjinchiangrai]

None of the Harris bashing makes a compelling argument for electing a convicted felon and sexual predator to the presidency.

 

We should be willing to talk about anything. She has not said anything about supporting reparations, just as there have been no plans for implementation. That does not mean it cannot be discussed. We should talk about the Native Americans at the same time.

[JonnyF]

39 minutes ago, OneZero said:

She wants to have it both ways.

 

I've also heard similar rumours. 

[connda]

Of course, so my family, whose grandparents and great grandparents didn't show up in America until the turn of the 20th century, and who were common folk in Slavic and Celtic countries - we're gonna be on the hook to pay reparations? 
Good idea - the independent swing voters, like myself, with similar ancestry are gonna love this idea.