As New York state mulls how to address reparations, some blacks are demanding $800k checks, practically salivating over the idea of free money.
New York’s committee on reparations held a public hearing over the weekend as the state studies the impact of slavery and potential remedies for past racial injustices, with some black New Yorkers clamoring for the cash payouts that will have to come from somewhere.
Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation in December 2023 that created a “community commission to study the history of slavery in New York state” and tasked it to examine “various forms of reparations.”
“This commission acknowledges the horrific injustice of slavery and will be tasked with examining the legacy of slavery, subsequent discrimination against people of African descent, and the impact these forces continue to have in the present day,” the governor’s office said in a statement at the time.
The hearing to gather input took place on Saturday, with some speakers representing “The United States Freedmen Project,” a non-partisan organization advocating for “remedial justice” for “foundational” black Americans.
In interviews with Fox News Digital at a hearing on New York reparations, some Black residents discuss what kind of financial compensation they believe they deserve and where identity comes into play. The push comes as New York weighs how — and whether — to compensate descendants… pic.twitter.com/yM1WUJ5X3J
— Fox News Flash (@FoxNews_Flash) May 30, 2026
Fox News Digital interviewed a number of black New Yorkers, with them sharing thoughts about what the potential future reparations should look like.
“We need $800,000 for each foundation of black Americans. That’s simple,” Aubrey Muhammud told the outlet. “That’s — in New York — that’s about the cost of living that’ll get you a home or a small business or for you to recover from any financial duress.”
“It shouldn’t only be a check, but it should start with a check,” Brooke Lean said. According to the outlet, Lean was clad in a shirt promoting the Freedmen Project.
“Then we can start addressing education issues, redlining issues, policing issues, all of these other issues that are badges and incidents of slavery,” Lean added.
“I think it should be, me personally, I think there should be a new Freedmen’s Bureau back, and that is like a central bank almost to black America and would be distributed to black communities,” Rex Burns suggested, stressing the importance of the monetary payouts because they would be “tangible.”
“It’s right in front of you,” he said. “I’m for community building as well. I don’t want cash to go to the wrong people.”
“I think that we are owed a debt,” said Caprice Reins.
In the opinion of Tanasia Poke, the free cash is the only way to get “true justice.”
“It’s been the greatest impact to our community overall, generationally. And, so, by policy and finance, it’s how it’s been institutionalized in the first place. It is the way to repair it,” she told Fox News Digital.
Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages said, “At the end of the day, we’re a collective state. We are many people in one, and it’s important that we hear from New Yorkers.”
“And so our intention when drafting the legislation was for the Commission to hear from the New Yorkers and deliver a report,” added Solages, who represents New York’s 22nd District and contributed to drafting the legislation for the Reparations Commission.
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