New York to form commission to consider reparations for slavery

Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a bill into law Tuesday to create the country’s second statewide commission to study the possibility of reparations for people of African descent, due to the country’s history of slavery. The controversial legislation notes the role slavery played in the establishment of the United States and history of slavery in the nation and will create a nine-member commission to study the lingering negative effects of slavery on people currently living in the state of New York. The commission will ultimately issue a report with recommendations to address these inequities, whether it be financial or other recommendations to address inequities. Speaking in New York City, Hochul quoted Frederick Douglass, who said the duty of a true patriot who loves their country will rebuke it and not excuse its sins. “Today, I challenge all New Yorkers to be the patriots and rebuke and not excuse our role in benefiting from the institution of slavery. According to the New York Historical Society, where we are today, as many as 20% of colonial New Yorkers — 20% of us — were enslaved Africans. A fifth of our entire population was in bondage,” Hochul said. “Beginning in 1630, some 15,000 people...