Asheville Votes to Give Reparations to Black Residents

City Votes to Give Reparations to Black Residents

The city of Asheville, North Carolina voted to approve reparations for Black residents.  The seven-member City Council unanimously voted for the move, saying, "It is simply not enough to remove statues. Black people in this country are dealing with issues that are systemic in nature.” The reparations come alongside a formal apology for the state's role in slavery, discrimination, and other racist policies affecting Black people.  The resolution calls for "forming policy and programs that will establish the creation of generational wealth," which has been denied to many Black families due to slavery and discrimination. Rather than making payments directly to Black residents, who comprise 12% of the city's population (83% is white), the reparations will be used to make investments in areas where Black people face disparities.  That may include "increasing minority home ownership and access to other affordable housing, increasing minority business ownership and career opportunities.