Biden Admin Considers Asking Black Americans on Census if They’re Descended From Slaves

The Biden administration is deliberating whether to ask African Americans on government forms, such as the census, if they are descendants of enslaved individuals. This decision could pave the way for the disbursement of federal reparations.

The administration is seeking public feedback on how to differentiate African Americans of slave descent in the United States from those who have migrated from places such as Africa and the Caribbean, according to an article published by The Wall Street Journal. The White House is also divided over whether to label the former group as “American Descendants of Slavery,” “American Freedmen,” or “Foundational Black Americans.” Questions about the ancestry of African Americans would be included on forms such as those for home and student loans.

This move is part of a wider push among Democratic politicians across the country to consider the payment of reparations to black citizens. Earlier this month, San Francisco created a $50 million office that might provide each black resident with a proposed $5 million payment. A member of the reparations committee suggested a payment of $500 million per individual.

“Why not $500 million?” asked Daniel Landry, the policy subcommittee lead for the city’s African American Reparations Advisory Committee. “Because you can never repay the damage that’s been done to black people in America.”

Economists who advise a California state reparations panel declared last week that California owes black residents at least $800 billion, which is nearly three times the state’s annual budget.

Last week, the White House refused to respond when posed with the question of whether President Joe Biden supports the idea of reparations. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated it was up to “Congress to decide.”