Michigan Black Caucus Pushes Reparations, New Demographic Category for Descendants of Slaves

The “Reparative Justice Package.” -Katie Heid

Lawmakers supporting the bills say Black people face disparities because of ongoing “discriminatory public policy decisions.”
While supporters are seeking up to $5 million in state funding to support the bills, House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) says the measures do not align with his priorities...

• The three-bill package would create a voluntary option within state data collection systems for people who identify as descendants of slaves, or “American Freedmen.” 
• In addition, it would create two bureaucracies: an American Freedmen Reparations Commission to study descendants of slaves in Michigan and an Office of Freedmen Affairs...