St Paul launches historic reparations commission for justice

The St. Paul Reparations Commission, established by ordinance 22 52 on January 4, 2023, is making strides in addressing the systemic racism that has led to significant racial disparities in wealth, homeownership, healthcare, education, employment, and the criminal justice system for American descendants of chattel slavery. The commission, which consists of eleven appointed members serving one to three-year terms, acts as an advisory body to the mayor and city council on reparative measures.

During a recent meeting, the commission outlined its objectives, which include making policy and budgetary recommendations aimed at creating generational wealth, establishing an annual work plan, and evaluating city expenditures through quality of life metrics. The commission has already held five meetings since March, elected leadership, and approved a budget request of $500,000 to support its initiatives.

Key priorities for the commission include conducting community listening sessions to gather input from residents, developing educational resources to clarify concepts related to reparations, and creating a harm report to document historical injustices in St. Paul. Additionally, the commission is exploring the potential for a slavery disclosure ordinance that would require businesses contracting with the city to disclose any historical ties to the slave industry.

The commission's work is framed within a broader context of acknowledging the historical contributions of African Americans to the nation, as highlighted by a quote from Randall Robinson's book, \"The Debt,\" which emphasizes the need for America to confront its past and address the debts owed to African Americans. The commission aims to ensure that reparative justice is not only discussed but actively pursued in St. Paul.