Latest news with #JusticeStudies
USA Today
11 hours ago
- Politics
- USA Today
Juneteenth renews call for reparations for African Americans, advocates say
Juneteenth renews call for reparations for African Americans, advocates say Show Caption Hide Caption Could Black Americans get reparations for centuries of slavery? Lawmakers have been trying to pass reparation bills for descendants of slaves. Here's why it's taken so long - and how it might work. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY WASHINGTON — Despite slim chances of passage and against the backdrop of anti-DEI efforts, some congressional Democrats continue to reintroduce reparations legislation that advocates hope will help build momentum and keep the issue in the forefront. 'Each reintroduction keeps the conversation alive, educates the public and signals to communities across the country that their concerns and histories are being recognized at the highest levels of government,'' said Jason Williams, a professor of Justice Studies at Montclair State University in New Jersey. Ahead of Juneteenth, proponents of reparations for African Americans met last week with mostly Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill to urge them to continue the push for federal reparations legislation. 'What better time to introduce policies that are centering repair and truth than at a time when so much disrepair and lies are abundant,'' said Marcus Anthony Hunter, a reparations advocate and a professor of sociology and African American studies at the University of California, Los Angeles. A wide variety of proposals for slavery reparations have been proposed over the years, including mental health care for African American descendants of slaves, investments in infrastructure in historically marginalized communities, or direct payments. Hunter and other advocates urged support for H.R. 40 recently re-introduced by New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker and Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley, both Democrats. The legislation would create a commission to study reparations and develop proposals. Activists also pushed for the 'Reparations Now Resolution' proposed last month by Rep. Summer Lee, a Democrat from Pennsylvania. It would recognize that the country 'has a moral and legal obligation to provide reparations for the crime of enslavement of Africans and its lasting harm on the lives of millions of Black people in the United States.' The congressional measures, which have no GOP co-sponsors, stand little chance of passage in the Republican-controlled Congress. Republican leaders have opposed reparations saying no one alive was responsible for slavery. In March, Rep. Babin Brian, a Republican from Texas, introduced the ''No Bailout for Reparations Act,' which would prohibit the federal government from providing funds to state or local governments that enact laws providing reparations for slavery. More: The US is grappling with its history of slavery. The blueprint for dealing with it? Some say Brown University The renewed push also comes in the wake of efforts by the Trump administration to dismantle federal programs that support diversity, equity and inclusion. 'It is not lost on us that this Juneteenth, the nation is experiencing a profound backsliding on racial equity,'' Glenn Harris, president of Race Forward, a progressive-leaning national social justice organization, said in a statement. In addition to last week's lobbying led by the National Black Justice Collective, a civil rights organization advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, other groups have also held rallies in D.C. Lawmakers also recently hosted a briefing. 'This Juneteenth, the call for reparations grows louder,'' New Yorkers for Reparations, a coalition of grassroots groups, said in a statement Wednesday. 'As cities and states across the country take historic steps toward repair, New York stands at the forefront, affirming that reparations for Black Americans are not only a moral imperative, but a democratic necessity.'' States look to federal reparations bill as lighthouse The late Rep. John Conyers, a Democrat from Michigan, had introduced H.R. 40 for years. It was named after the '40 acres and a mule'' the federal government had promised freed slaves. Across the country some state and local governments have passed reparation bills, including in Evanston, Illinois, New York and California. In Maryland, Gov. Wes Moore recently vetoed a reparations bill, saying it's not the time for another study and that the state has had related commissions. Advocates said HR 40 has been the blueprint for proposals adopted by local and state governments so it's important to continue the push. 'If we allow that to die on the vine, we're doing a disservice to the national movement because it's the lighthouse,'' Hunter.
USA Today
28-02-2025
- Business
- USA Today
'Our dollars do count': These shoppers are using an economic blackout against companies
'Our dollars do count': These shoppers are using an economic blackout against companies Show Caption Hide Caption Consumers to boycott companies retreating from DEI. Here's what we know. Consumers are planning to boycott on February 28 over companies retreating from diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. WASHINGTON – Sheila Harrison stopped shopping at Target as soon as she learned the company rolled back some of its diversity initiatives. She was disappointed and annoyed. Every year in February she looked forward to picking up a new shirt from the store's Black History Month line. And on her typical twice-a-week visits to the store, she bought other items. Not anymore. 'As much as I love Target, I just couldn't,'' said Harrison, an environmental underwriter who lives in Fredericksburg, Virginia. 'It just didn't sit well with my spirit.'' Harrison plans to continue to shop elsewhere and participate in other boycotts, including a national 24-hour economic blackout that starts Friday. She and many others are using their wallets to push back against companies they believe have reneged on pledges to support diversity, equity and inclusion programs. The campaigns range from today's blackout calling for people not to spend money anywhere to a 40-day boycott of stores like Target and other protests. Some organizations have urged people to shop more at stores that continue supporting diversity programs, as well as small businesses. The actions come after President Donald Trump signed an executive order to roll back diversity, equity and inclusion programs across the federal government. Several companies have followed the administration's lead. Supporters of the boycotts hope they'll signal to companies that retreating from diversity initiatives will cost them business. 'It definitely does send a political message to these companies that we're watching them and that we're not going to let them get away with abandoning our causes,'' said Jason Williams, professor of Justice Studies at Montclair State University in New Jersey. 'Got to do what I got to do' During trips to Target, Harrison often bought products made by Black entrepreneurs, including cosmetics from The Lip Bar. Instead, she has turned to the company's website and forked over extra for shipping. 'I just got to do what I got to do,'' she said. Harrison is taking a trip to Charlotte in the coming days, but she filled her gas tank early in the week so she doesn't spend money on Friday. She also plans to join others next week and only shop for necessities for 40 days. If she buys anything, she said, it will be from a Black-owned business. 'I want to be part of the solution, not part of the problem,' she said. "As African Americans we need to make these people realize that our dollars do count. They don't respect us or our dollars.' More: Consumers plan boycott of major retail companies on Feb. 28 for DEI rollbacks There are several blackout efforts underway, including the 24-hour action organized by the People's Union, a grassroots group, protesting against what it sees as corporate greed. Black faith leaders have called on congregations to join a 40-day boycott of Target starting Wednesday. In separate campaigns, the National Action Network, a civil rights organization, plans to release a report in April on some companies that have retreated from diversity programs. The NAACP announced its Black Consumer Advisory, urging members to support Black-owned businesses and shop with companies that commit to DEI initiatives. Still, there are many challenges to conducting a boycott, including people's ability to find cheaper alternatives with the prominence of some major stores, said Williams. It's also hard for people who have to drive to other places to shop. 'It has become hard for people to partake in a boycott even if they want to,'' Williams said. 'It's not necessarily because people don't want to support it.'' In the past, shoppers could turn to more alternatives like Black-owned businesses along main streets. Many of those corridors no longer exist, he said. 'You want to make a difference' For more than a week, Kim Andrews of Nashville got messages from family, friends and colleagues about different economic blackouts. The first one was about faith leaders calling for the Target boycott. Then came another about the 24-hour blackout, along with other demonstrations. She plans to do them all. She said she wants to be part of the movement. 'It's almost like voting,'' said Andrews, a career strategist and leadership coach. 'You want to make a difference. While one (person) not spending may not be a big deal, if everybody says, 'Do not,' then it makes a difference.' Switching from Target was easy for her. She doesn't shop there much, anyway. Instead, she went to another store with a pharmacy and noticed for the first time there were also Black hair care products on the shelves. She said she'll remember that for next time. 'It might be time to go to maybe a local grocer or market, time to see what they actually offer and contribute to our local community like the mom-and-pop shops,'' Andrews said. The power of the dollar Experts said successful boycotts in the past have relied on mass mobilization or buy-in from entire communities. They point to the successful bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama, which began in 1955. Some organizers, including Black faith leaders and civil rights groups, hope to rally Black shoppers to participate now. Still, analysts have previously told USA TODAY boycotts don't always financially work, but they can be successful in shaming a company into reversing decisions. There needs to be clear asks outlined, they say. But consumers do like being able to take action against something they feel strongly about. For example, every Wednesday since the beginning of the month, Susan Bradshaw had stopped shopping except at Black-owned businesses. 'I felt so good because I realized I'm saving money, I'm being proactive and I feel connected to my community,'' said Bradshaw, a physician who lives in Los Angeles. 'It's a way to make change." More: America's largest companies hired more Black executives. Then came the DEI backlash. Groups opposing diversity, equity and inclusion have also launched protests and boycotts in recent years. They have criticized DEI programs, calling them part of the 'woke'' culture and have tried to pressure companies to follow Trump's lead to end them. Some anti-DEI boycotts have been effective, including one against Target, which scaled back its Pride merchandise and moved some displays from the entrances to the back of stores. Target did not respond to a request for comment about the boycott, but the company has said it will continue to work with suppliers from all backgrounds. They also said the company will continue to offer Black-owned products. Keith Byrd, pastor of Zion Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., which is spearheading its own boycott, is urging his congregation to reduce spending for 40 days during Lent. Every Wednesday members should not spend money at all. 'We're going to make it a part of our spiritual strengthening, but also impacting our community,'' Byrd said. He explained that the church is drawing up a list of corporations for participants to avoid. He called diversity efforts "a fundamental democratic principle" for the country. Walmart, which has several stores near the church, is a prime target, and shopping at Black-owned stores will be pushed as an alternative. The nation's largest private employer announced last year it would make changes to its diversity efforts. 'We don't do that enough anyway,'' Byrd said. 'But certainly we need to, particularly the Black church, help our people to understand the power not only of the vote, but the power of the dollar.' Beyond the boycott, Byrd said he has made personal sacrifices by not shopping at businesses that have rolled back diversity initiatives. Every day, he and his wife, Kimberly, used to order a decaf caramel macchiato with extra shots of vanilla from Starbucks. 'I'm done with that for awhile,'' he said. And among his favorites is a Big Mac combo from McDonalds. 'I could probably own stock in McDonalds,'' he said. 'I'm done with that.' 'Our goal is to show our economic power and muscle, period,' he said. Contributing: Jessica Guynn and Betty Lin-Fisher, USA TODAY
