White House senior adviser Cedric Richmond told Axios on HBO that it is “doable” for President Biden to make progress in his first term in breaking barriers for people of color, while Congress is studying reparations for slavery.
Why does it matter: Biden said during the campaign that he supports the creation of a commission to study and develop proposals for reparations – direct payments for African Americans.
A House panel heard testimony about the legislation last week.
- “I think that [creation of a commission] will pass, “said Richmond.
What they are saying: Richmond said that while the schedule for the commission is not known, “if you start talking about free college tuition, [Historically Black Colleges and Universities] and you start talking about free community college on Title I and all that stuff, I think you’re on the right track. “
- “We have to start breaking down systemic racism and the barriers that have prevented people of color, especially African Americans,” he said. “[W]we have to do things now. “
What is the next: Richmond pointed to an executive action by Biden “breaking down barriers in housing, making sure that African Americans can pass on wealth through property, that their homes are worth no less than homes in different communities just because of the neighborhood they are in. “.
- “We don’t want to wait for a study,” he said. “We are going to start acting now.”
Watch a clip from the interview.