Thread by @B1ackByDemand

HR40 was introduced in 1989. HR40's purpose was simply to create a commission to STUDY and RECOMMEND reparations proposals for Black Americans. This bill has languished for 33 years without ever coming to the floor of the House of Representatives.

Any of the 3 democratic presidents since 1989 office, (@BillClinton, @BarackObama, and @JoeBiden), during that 33 year period could have signed an executive order creating such a commission with the stroke of a pen. NONE of them have done so.

By virtually every economic measurement, Black Americans come in #DEADLAST in terms of wealth, income, healthcare, home-ownership; and first in terms of the incarceration rate and homelessness. We are projected to be wealthless by 2030.

Yet, we are constantly shamed for asking, pleading, yelling, screaming and finally DEMANDING to receive real and tangible policy in exchange for our votes.

The US has paid reparations to slaveholders whose slaves were freed, Pacific Islanders in American territories, Japanese-Americans who were interred in US concentration camps, and multiple Native-American tribes. (See a more comprehensive list here: guides.library.umass.edu/reparations#s-…)

The US government promised the American Freedmen, (the 4 million Blacks who were emancipated at the end of the Civil War), 40 Acres of land per family and a mule to till that land via General Sherman's Special Field Order No. 15.

The land that was promised was intended to be in a contiguous region which would allow the Freedmen to self-govern in the red area depicted in this image. Very similar to the sovereign Native-American tribal lands.

For some, the land that was promised was given, and then snatched away and awarded back to the defeated confederates who betrayed our nation to maintain the economic system of chattel slavery. Very few Freedmen families were able to keep their land.

By the lack of action and BENIGN NEGLECT, it's clear that we are the mules that the @DNC rides to victory in national elections, but they can't or won't advocate and LEGISLATE for us. The @DNC must think we're stupid, or crazy, or both.

If they whip enough votes to pass laws like HR6 (American Dream and Promise Act of 2021), or to even propose legislation like HR572/S433(National Office of New Americans Act), it shows that the @DNC & @HouseDemocrats have NO WILL to deliver anything for us.

UNTIL AND UNLESS @TheDemocrats make the needs of Black Americans a priority, not with performative foolishness like the image here, but by passing laws that address our needs, many of us will NOT be casting our votes for Democratic candidates for US House and US Senate.

I'm mentioning @JoeBiden @KamalaHarris @RaphaelWarnock @TheBlackCaucus @WhipClyburn @TheDemocrats @SenateDems @HouseDemocrats as you're leaders of your party. Now you can't say you didn't know WHY you have a problem with Black American voters. We see through you.

So you're on notice of what's coming. Let's see what you can get done before the midterms apart from scare tactics, pandering, and identity politics. #ReparationsNow #BlackTwitter

And just to be clear, HR40 is garbage. It needs to be fixed with the edits proposed by @SandyDarity out it need to be scrapped. If you aren’t aware of the edits he proposed, all the more reason to replace you in office with someone else who will actually pay attention…