By Tes Welborn, HANC Board
The March 15th Board of Supervisors hearing on the draft Reparations Plan and Dream Keeper Initiative was an amazing event! The chair and vice chair, Eric McDonnell and Tinisch Hollins, briefly presented the 60 page report of the San Francisco African-American Reparations Advisory Committee [AARAC] detailing 111 recommendations. The entire Board made statements of support, including disclosures that two supervisors' own relatives had received reparations from Germany which had helped their families, and voted unanimously to accept the report. The BOS hearing chamber, room 250, was packed with supporters of the Reparations recommendations, nearly all African American, and of all ages. In addition, large numbers of Black residents and allies filled the phone lines to support the AARAC recommendations.
The AARAC made recommendations of what should be done to repair the harm to Black residents of San Francisco. They were not asked to decide what was feasible. Further work by the advisory committee, city government, and the public will be needed to determine which recommendations will be implemented.
While the financial recommendation of $5 million to each qualifying Black San Franciscan has gotten the most press, and several public speakers called “cut the check!” many other recommendations address family and community reparations. The draft plan specifically prioritizes improving education, housing, workforce development, economic opportunities, financial stability, small businesses, transit access and food security while reducing violence, health disparities and over-criminalization experienced in the city’s Black communities.
The AARAC continues to meet on the second Monday of each month at 5:30pm by zoom. More information at www.sfreparations.org .