Outsourcing the Awakening
The City Commission, which costs taxpayers around $5 million annually to probe racial disparities, is now looking into a study on possible reparations for slavery, one of its key responsibilities.
Last week, the Racial Equality Commission was reinforced with 15 members and at least six paid staff. A solicitation has been sent out to find a vendor capable of producing a report that explores how enslaved African labor contributed to the wealth of white residents, major corporations, and the New York City government.
The report should include details regarding “the harms perpetuated by the New York City government tied to chattel slavery and its ongoing legacy.” It must also examine how the city financially benefited from slavery, Jim Crow laws, and identify neighborhoods facing significant injustices linked to these historical issues.
Furthermore, the commission requires recommendations for “restorative policies,” including “legislative language and funding mechanisms” to address the historical context 160 years after the Civil War ended.
There’s uncertainty regarding the cost of this outsourced work and whether it will come from the existing budget or will be an extra charge since the taxpayer-funded agency has not responded to inquiries from the Post.
Prior estimates suggest that a report of this nature could run up to $1.5 million.
City Council Minority Leader David Carr (R-Sicily) expressed frustration, questioning why a commission that has already spent millions on racial issues would seek to pay others for what he deemed unnecessary work. “Does this make any sense?” he asked.
He pointed out the absurdity of continually spending taxpayer money without tangible improvements for New Yorkers. “Every time I think we’ve hit the peak of ridiculousness, the city surprises us again,” he remarked.
The commission’s tasks involve conducting research amid controversy, indicating a series of bills set to be introduced in 2024.
The law states, “CORE, in consultation with the Office of Racial Equality, shall investigate the governing body’s role in perpetuating historic acts. They will assess the impacts of slavery and its legacy and recommend actions for those affected within the New York City community.”
Initially founded by then-Mayor Bill de Blasio in 2021 to address the historical and ongoing harms faced by Black residents, the committee has spent about $200,000 this year alone to gather “truthful testimony from New Yorkers” for previous reports.
While the bill necessitating the study in 2024 approximated a $1.5 million cost, it was originally proposed as a project to be completed internally. Additionally, the state allocated $5 million last year for a similar commission to examine reparations statewide.
