In the fight against racism, reparations are not the answer

In the fight against racism, reparations are not the answer 

Racism, and its ugly brother sexism, are the principal tools of authoritarianism. They deliberately exploit the automatic reaction to Otherness to divide and conquer. Inadequate funding of education (or its outright ban) is used to fuel racial stereotypes, including among White and male useful idiots who do not have the skills to overcome biased thinking. 

That the better educated middle class fights over wokeness makes them the gift that keeps on giving. When official racism became untenable, abortion became the new wedge issue. Abortion gave bigots a new target and created a feminist backlash. 

The reality is that the only ways to reduce abortion are contraception (the opposition to which is fueled by misogyny) and the adequate distribution of economic benefits to families. Add the stink of welfare to such programs and they can be resisted as a form of socialism. That the Soviet other no longer exists testifies to the irrationality of these sentiments.

Reparations have always been political. Sherman used the promise of forty acres and a mule to gain allies in the Black community. He had to know that Washington would not back his play. White Bernie Bros and the Green Party supporting reparations are also seen as baldly political. That the Black voters went solidly for Biden is proof of this.

Reparations and civil enforcement are poor substitutes to criminal sanctions against actual bigots. The latter is seen as a bridge too far - probably because they would work and because those who would enact them would be soundly defeated at the ballot box. Unless the entire beloved community pushed for criminal enforcement (Gays, Hispanics, Blacks, the Disabled and families with children), no such sanctions will pass.

Limiting reparations in Evanston to an older population makes them largely symbolic. Most people denied fair housing before 1969 are dead. Punishing current racism with such payments invites White grievance. The assumption will be that any Black neighbor had an unfair economic advantage.  

Encouraging solidarity among the working class, both in work and consumption, is the only way out. This kind of solidarity is exactly the kind of thing the authoritarians want to avoid. Any system that provides it must offer good enough cash and prizes to overcome the prejudices against the Other.