$14 trillion and no mules

The Weeds

Paying the price. One of the typical questions asked during conversations about reparations is how to pay for them. Fabiola talks with economist William “Sandy” Darity and folklorist Kirsten Mullen about how reparations could be executed. The husband-and-wife team lays out a comprehensive framework in their book, From Here to Equality: Reparations for Black Americans in the Twenty-First Century, for who would qualify and how the federal government would afford the $14 trillion price tag. This is part of 40 Acres, a four-part series examining reparations in the United States.

This series was made possible by a grant from the Canopy Collective and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. To provide feedback, please take our survey here: https://forms.gle/w9vYsfFGvdJLJ3LY9

Host: Fabiola Cineas, race and policy reporter, Vox

Guests: William “Sandy” Darity and Kirsten Mullen, authors of From Here to Equality: Reparations for Black Americans in the Twenty-First Century

References:

• From Here to Equality: Reparations for Black Americans in the Twenty-First Century by William A. Darity Jr. and A. Kirsten Mullen (The University of North Carolina Press; 2020)
• Homestead Act (1862)
• Disparities in Wealth by Race and Ethnicity in the 2019 Survey of Consumer Finances (Federal Reserve; 2020)
• Evanston is the first U.S. city to issue slavery reparations. Experts say it's a noble start. (NBC News; 2021)
• The Root of Haiti’s Misery: Reparations to Enslavers (New York Times; 2020)
• ‘We’re Self-Interested’: The Growing Identity Debate in Black America (New York Times; 2019)

This episode was made by:

• Producer: Jonquilyn Hill
• Engineer: Patrick Boyd

Deputy Editorial Director, Vox Talk: A.M. Hall

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