The NYC council approves slavery reparations legislation to generate tangible outcomes from the nation's past.

Soon, New York City will become the first US city to implement a reparations program.

On Thursday, bills sponsored by Councilmembers Crystal Hudson and Farah Louis to create a Truth, Healing and Reconciliation Commission and a reparations task force were passed and will take effect immediately.

"The New York City Council has passed legislation to recognize and address the historical impact of slavery and racial injustices in the city. This legislation includes the establishment of a Truth, Healing and Reconciliation process, a reparations study, informational signs at the city's first slave market, and a taskforce to consider the creation of a "freedom trail" commemorating abolitionist movement and Underground Railroad sites."

The commission aims to "uncover the truth about slavery in New York City and its lasting effects, safeguard those impacted, and propose solutions for government and institutions to prevent the continuation of injustices stemming from the legacy of slavery."

The two councilmembers who backed the bill commended its approval and believe it will bring about change in the city.

Hudson expressed the hope that the legislation would "uncover racist, anti-Black policies at the root of our city's institutions and provide tangible solutions to address these fundamental flaws."

The legislation is a "vital move towards fairness and equality," as stated by Louis.

Hudson, when contacted by Planet Chronicle Digital, highlighted the benefits of the legislation and emphasized the ongoing effects of slavery.

The enactment of these bills marks a substantial advancement for New York City. The lasting effects of slavery on Black Americans persist to this day. Our country's failure to address this historical wrong enables this profound injustice to manifest itself in various tangible ways, such as the prison-industrial complex, predatory lending, redlining, and disparities in our educational systems.

"In 2021, when I ran for office, I released a Black Agenda for New York City, which included six recommendations to address the city's racial reckoning. One of these recommendations was to establish a citywide Truth, Healing, and Reconciliation process that would acknowledge the city's racist practices and historic treatment of Black New Yorkers. I hope that this process, as the largest city in the nation with the biggest municipal budget, will succeed in identifying racist, anti-Black policies at the foundation of our city's institutions and yield material solutions to address these foundational cracks."

However, not all New York City councilmembers are happy about the bills.

Joseph Borelli, the minority leader, stated to the New York Post that he would move before paying for the legislation that he voted against, along with 7 other councilmembers.

"He stated that he would be content if someone introduced him to a New Yorker who owned a slave. However, he clarified that he would not pay any reparations for a harm he did not cause, condone, or participate in until he was introduced to such an individual."