Left-wing lawmakers press for federal reparations for Black Americans: 'We're here to demand it'

Left-wing lawmakers are urging the U.S government to pay reparations to Black Americans who have suffered the impacts of discrimination over many years. The proposal comes as various protests and uprisings against racial injustices continue throughout the country. The bill aims to develop a commission to study the history of slavery in the country and its outcomes on society, going back to 1619 until the present day. The group, which constitutes 165 co-sponsors, is asking for remedies to tackle the long-lasting impact of slavery such as healthcare access, housing developments, and student loans. “It’s time to bring our country together,” says Sheila Jackson Lee, the lead sponsor of the bill. While many acknowledge reparations as necessary, opponents argue that this is not a practical solution and that people bearing no responsibilities for the past should not pay for it. The session adjourns at the end of this year, leaving the lawmakers to escalate their efforts. This call to give compensation for Black Americans for the lingering effects of centuries of slavery will continue to be a topic of discussion and debate in the months ahead.