New York may have fought to end slavery, but the city’s taxpayers are set to allocate over $200,000 to help various community organizations engage in discussions about reparations.
This funding will be used to support groups collaborating with the New York City Commission on Racial Equality. Now, 160 years after the Civil War’s conclusion, the commission aims to formulate recommendations for reparations, collect authentic feedback from residents, and partner with researchers studying reparations in New York City.
Linda Tigani, the Chair and Executive Director of CORE, expressed enthusiasm Thursday during the announcement of what she described as “New York City’s first government-supported network of reparations community organizations.” She emphasized the importance of involving communities in these discussions and ensuring they have access to the necessary resources.
There’s an “Invitation to interest” from CORE, suggesting that up to 13 nonprofits, community organizations, and minority- and women-owned enterprises could receive grants of up to $17,500 each, resulting in a total of $227,500.
However, a press release hinted that awards could reach $20,000 each, totaling $260,000, leaving some ambiguity about the exact figures, which the commission did not clarify when prompted.
Starting next month, selected groups will address complex questions surrounding how communities affected by racism and historical injustices, especially descendants of slavery, perceive healing and reconciliation in New York City.
This initiative has drawn criticism, especially given that New York was a free state by 1827—the first to abolish legal slavery—and that over 50,000 New Yorkers lost their lives to end slavery during the Civil War, the highest casualty rate of any state.
New York City Council Minority Leader David Carr (R-Staten Island) voiced concerns over this plan’s implications for taxpayers, suggesting it could benefit special interests and activists while being an affront to residents unrelated to slavery. Similar frustration was echoed by City Councilwoman Joanne Arriola (R-Queens), who questioned how the city would determine eligibility for reparations.
Arriola raised hypotheticals about tracing ancestry back to the abolition of slavery in 1827 and even joked about claiming reparations based on her ancestors’ past enslavement, pointing out the absurdity of the current situation.
The establishment of CORE came in response to voter approval during a 2022 referendum, initiated by the Commission on Racial Justice formed by former Mayor Bill de Blasio after the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. Currently, CORE, consisting of 15 members, manages a $4.8 million budget and operates outside city government influence while being appointed by various city officials.
Newly sworn Mayor Mamdani has historically supported the reparations movement, arguing that New York City must confront its involvement in the slave trade and make amends for its legacy.
