The Atlanta city council has voted to establish a committee to study reparations, and created the City of Atlanta Reparations Study Commission. The commission is designed to research the city’s participation in the “legal discrimination of African American residents and to provide recommendations for appropriate reparations."
City Councilmember Julian Bond explained that this is not an answer to all the wrongs of slavery. “Because we’re creatures of the state, we’re limited in our power and authority. But there have been wrongs that have been committed and are well documented,” he said.
Georgia law restricts cities from making cash payments to individuals for the purpose of reparations. This effectively eliminates one of the most popular forms of reparations being called upon by residents and activists. Because of this, the city is exploring other avenues.
Spelman College professor and reparations expert, Dr. Cynthia Spence, told Atlanta News First how reparations can happen outside of cash payments. “Those outcomes have included things like reducing property taxes, providing monetary payments to Black individuals… to help with housing, [and] there have been discussions about educational access,” said Spence.
After investigating paths forward, the committee will take its recommendations to the city for further consideration. Atlanta joins many other cities across the country considering reparations.