Ford school professor Mara Ostfeld wrote with coauthors Kamri Hudgins, Erykah Noelle Benson, and Vincent Hutchings, in The Conversation about delays in the release of the Detroit Reparations Task Force report. She explains why it has been difficult for this task force and those in other cities to meet their deadlines. She writes that "The official report is now due in March 2025."
When looking at other cities for examples, she says "Every locality tasked with developing reparations recommendations has faced similar challenges. These include providing evidence of past and current harm, developing plans to rectify those harms, defining who is eligible to receive reparations benefits, and ensuring transparency in developing and implementing these programs."
She also writes that Detroit may be able to learn from Evanston, Illinois, "the only city to succeed in providing reparations to its African American population."
"Reparations were issued to a first group of Black residents who lived in Evanston between 1919 and 1969, or who are direct descendants of people who lived in the city then. Eligible residents received a $25,000 grant to be used for housing, including repairs on existing homes. As of January 2024, 117 qualified residents had received a total of $2,953,596. There is a waitlist for several hundred people who will receive money as it comes available."
But even the reparations in Evanston have faced criticism including that "the program helps only a handful of people in a city with more than 12,000 African American residents."
The authors conclude, "Detroit can build a reparations program that’s fair and effective. This will mean taking the time to strike a balance between what’s practical and what people will support. The task force’s final report will need to consider funding feasibility, set up clear and obtainable steps for how the plan will work, and be transparent so the public can stay informed and confident in the process."
