REPARATIONS

Throughout the history of this nation, two groups in particular have experienced tragic mistreatment from the United States government. Black Americans have an inheritance of trauma from 400 years of slavery and 100 years of Jim Crow. Native Americans ancestry dates back on this continent 12,000 years. This land is theirs by heritage and in many cases by treaty, all of which was trampled as their land and culture were stolen in an ongoing genocide since the first European settlers arrived. No amount of punitive damages for all of the suffering and death inflicted on these two groups could be calculated, much less paid.

What can be calculated, however, is the lost wages and value of lands stolen over the centuries. Though calculable, this figure would be too enormous to realistically begin to repay even without the interest compounded over time. With this in mind, and the determination to finally make repayment in light of such a massive debt that is owed I recommend a settlement of said debt. This acknowledges that what is owed far exceeds the payment settled, but makes a significant restitution by working to establish an entire generation with meaningful avenues to build wealth that can be passed on to future generations.

This repayment would consist of four main pillars: healthcare, housing, food, and education. These benefits will be funded for 25 years for any person who is a citizen of a Native American tribe or has registered demographically as black as well as the children born to eligible recipients during the coverage period.

Healthcare benefits would be delivered as Medicare coverage and plans will include all services at no co-pay and no premiums.

Housing subsidies will be made available with funds from the US Treasury to allow a primary residence purchase at no down payment and a zero percent interest rate on loans with terms of 30 years.

Food will be provided via the food stamp program regardless of economic status.

Education will be provided at no cost including pre-K through 12 and any college, advanced degrees, or occupational training will be made available at no cost. Also, child care from birth through pre-K will be covered at no cost.

These benefits are intended to ensure that for an entire generation no lack of basic necessities will prevent the success and accumulation of generational wealth that was denied systematically over the history of the United States.

Finally, members of the group currently incarcerated for non-violent crimes would be released and fully enrolled in the benefits of the program.