This country was built on genocide and chattel slavery. For over two hundred- and forty years people of the African diaspora worked for free to build schools, roads, businesses, etc. This land was built on the back of free labor, chattel slavery. An apology for slavery and Jim Crow Laws didn’t come until 2008, hundreds of years after Emancipation and the 13th Amendment. In an era of anti-blackness, which we see with legislation banning books about slavery, Jim Crow, etc. and some states proposing laws to outlaw diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training, the apology given in 2008 isn’t enough. An apology without action is symbolic at best. Our indigenous brothers and sisters experienced genocide but for some of those who did survive, they got some of their land back—not the best land of course but something. In 1998 our Japanese brothers and sisters who were placed in internment camps during WWII and lost everything got compensated with $20,000 to each surviving victim and a formal apology from President Reagan[1]. When will we get our reparations? People want to emigrate to America because it is the land of endless opportunity for some but for others, we are still waiting for our opportunities. Those in the African diaspora in America have experienced housing covenants, redlining, Jim Crow laws, Mass incarceration, and all federal policies that have impeded us from obtaining the American Dream. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibited discrimination but we continue to see inequality in pay, housing opportunities, and employment. We even have others from within the African Diaspora who perceive Black Americans as the lowest on the racial hierarchy and unworthy of grace and mercy.
An apology is not enough for hundreds of years of terror lynchings, rape, and the separating and selling of families. There is no remorse as we see the Governor of Florida implementing book banning and selecting books that specific discuss slavery and systemic racism because he doesn’t want anyone to feel angst. As he has said on numerous occasions “Florida is where WOKE goes to die!” The way he uses the word woke is derogatory and seems to imply anti-blackness. There is no responsibility being taken or even the acknowledgment of the horrific history of the Transatlantic slave trade as we see public universities and colleges attempting to remove any programs related to DEI. SB (Senate Bill) 266, also known as the Stop Woke Act, passed the Florida House on 5/3/2023 and is heading to the Governor’s Desk for signature. Florida public universities and colleges were asked earlier this year to share how much money goes towards Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs on their campuses, a comprehensive list of all staff, programs, and campus activities related to DEI and the cost associated with them[2]. The Bill will forbid public colleges and universities from spending any money on DEI initiatives, which shows the lack of remorse or even acknowledgment of marginalized groups to include those in the African Diaspora. Stop telling us to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps when others have been given a hand up. Policies such as housing covenants, Redlining, Urban Renewal grants and now gentrification has ensured that we will continue to get the short end of the stick. I am ready for my 40 acres and some financial restitution for what was done to my ancestors and the continued subjugation of my people!
By Dr. Tammy Hodo
[1] https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2013/08/09/210138278/japanese-internment-redress#:~:text=In%201988%2C%20President%20Reagan%20signed%20the%20Civil%20Liberties,out%20%2420%2C000%20in%20compensation%20to%20each%20surviving%20victim.
[2] https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/desantis-admin-wants-universities-to-report-resources-used-for-diversity-crt-initiatives/
[1] https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2013/08/09/210138278/japanese-internment-redress#:~:text=In%201988%2C%20President%20Reagan%20signed%20the%20Civil%20Liberties,out%20%2420%2C000%20in%20compensation%20to%20each%20surviving%20victim.
[2] https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/desantis-admin-wants-universities-to-report-resources-used-for-diversity-crt-initiatives/
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