Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream Was Reparations—It’s Time To Make It A Reality

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy is often celebrated with the inspiring words of his “I Have a Dream” speech, where he envisioned a nation where equality transcends race. However, as we commemorate his life, we must not forget one of the most urgent parts of his vision: reparations. King’s dream was not just about integration but also about justice—economic justice for Black Americans who have endured centuries of systemic oppression. Today, in the face of staggering racial wealth disparities, the urgency to honor his vision and make reparations a reality cannot be overstated. For 400 years, Black Americans have been systematically excluded from opportunities to build wealth. From slavery, which robbed millions of their wages and humanity, to the Jim Crow laws that institutionalized segregation to modern-day structural racism, Black Americans have been denied the economic foundations needed to thrive. The financial toll of this exclusion is undeniable. Reparations would not only address historical injustices but also provide a substantial boost to the economy. A 2020 study by Citigroup estimated that closing racial gaps in wages, housing, education, and investment could add $5 trillion to the U.S. GDP over the next five years. Reparations could take many forms, including...