If you’re wondering why Evanston, Illinois, is making headlines these days, it’s because the city has just approved a reparations program exclusively for its Black residents, becoming the first U.S. city to do so. This new program is designed to provide financial support in the form of housing grants to offset the effects of historically racist housing policies. This is an essential step towards acknowledging and addressing the long-standing social and economic disparities that exist for marginalized communities.
Housing Discrimination and the Urgency for Reparations
The effects of housing discrimination have extended their reach far beyond the end of Jim Crow laws, and the results are still being felt today. One of the most detrimental forms of housing discrimination occurred in the form of redlining, which was used by banks and other institutions to deny credit and other services to people living in predominantly black communities.
Redlining created housing segregation that still exists in many cities across the United States. According to the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, the median value of homes in majority-black neighborhoods is $48,000 lower than in majority-white neighborhoods. This discrepancy limits the ability of black Americans to accumulate wealth, and it places them at a significant disadvantage compared to white Americans.
That’s why Evanston’s decision to approve a reparations program based on housing grants is so crucial. It is not the solution, but it is a necessary first step in addressing a deeply ingrained issue that plagues many American cities.
Other Forms of Discrimination and the Need for Reparations
While the housing discrimination is a significant contributor to the wealth disparities that black Americans face today, it is far from the only one. The history of institutionalized racism in America is long, and its effects are pervasive. There are many other areas where reparations are sorely needed, including but not limited to:
- Criminal Justice: The effects of the “War on Drugs” have had a lasting and devastating impact on black communities, with black Americans being more likely to be arrested, charged, and sentenced to longer prison terms for the same crime committed by a white American. According to the NAACP, black Americans make up 15% of drug users but account for 33% of those incarcerated for drug offenses.
- Education: Black Americans receive a sub-par education compared to white Americans, with less money spent per student in predominantly black schools and fewer resources to help students succeed.
- Business and Employment: Black-owned businesses are less likely to receive financing from banks and other institutions, and black Americans are more likely to be unemployed or underemployed compared to their white peers.
These are only a few examples, but they show how deep-seated the problem is. Reparations in housing grants are a start, but more needs to be done to address the pervasive impacts of institutionalized racism.
Opposition to Reparations and the Counter-Arguments
Despite the clear need for reparations, there are those who oppose it and argue that it is a misguided policy. One of the most common arguments against reparations is that it would be too costly, with opponents arguing that it would be impossible to identify the beneficiaries accurately.
In response to the costs argument, it’s essential to remember that our current economic systems are also incredibly flawed. The Institute for Policy Studies reported that in 2017, the wealth of the three wealthiest Americans was equal to the combined wealth of the poorest 50% of Americans. Additionally, more than a few major corporations pay no federal taxes at all, despite making billions in profits. Looking at these statistics, it’s clear that it’s not a question of affordability, but a matter of priorities.
As for the identification argument, proponents of reparations argue that there are already mechanisms in place that can identify the beneficiaries of reparations. These include the government’s own redlining maps, pre-existing reparations programs, and family histories of discrimination.
The Bottom Line
The decision of Evanston, Illinois, to provide reparations in housing grants to its black residents is a massive step in the right direction. However, it is not a complete solution; it’s a starting point, and one that needs to be followed by further action. This includes identifying and addressing other areas of institutionalized racism, developing additional reparations programs, and re-examining economic systems that continue to provide massive amounts of wealth to the few at a cost to the many.
Ultimately, true equality will require a significant amount of work, time, and dedication. But Evanston’s decision shows us that it is possible to take those first steps towards a more equitable future, and that we should continue to push forward towards this goal.
