‘From Here to Equality’ Author Makes A Case, And A Plan, For Reparations

NPR

June 17, 2020

When slavery ended, the disenfranchisement of African Americans did not. Discrimination continued in jobs, housing, education — barriers that have contributed to the staggering economic inequality that persists in the country today.

In a new book, economist William Darity Jr. makes the case for reparations as an answer to closing the racial wealth gap.

From Here to Equality: Reparations for Black Americans in the 21st Century, written by Darity and his wife, A. Kirsten Mullen, offers a roadmap on how to implement reparations for descendants of enslaved people.

Speaking with NPR, Darity said that while support for education and entrepreneurial activity should be part of any reparations plan, “the preponderance” of funds must go to individual recipients. “And they must go in such a way that we in fact eliminate the racial wealth gap,” he said.

Here are excerpts from the conversation.

Listen to the full interview here .