Vice President Kamala Harris' longtime pastor and mentor, Rev. Amos Brown, has emerged as a key figure in the push for reparations at both the state and federal levels. Brown, known for his controversial statements, was appointed by California Governor Gavin Newsom as the vice chair of the state's reparations task force in 2021. He has been vocal about the need for reparations on a national scale.
In 2022, Brown hosted an event at his church, advocating for reparations, with guest speaker Rev. Frederick Douglass Haynes III. Haynes passionately called for reparations, stating that America owes reparations to address the historical injustices faced by Black Americans.
While Vice President Harris has not fully endorsed reparations, she has acknowledged the need to study the issue. During her 2019 presidential campaign, Harris expressed support for some form of reparations for Black Americans.
Black activists and advocacy groups supporting Harris have been vocal proponents of reparations. Ron Busby, president of the U.S. Black Chambers, has called for reparations, emphasizing the importance of addressing historical injustices. The Black Voters Matters Fund, which received funding from the Harris campaign, has also advocated for reparations as a means of acknowledging past injustices.
Black Church PAC, another recipient of Harris campaign funds, has preachers on its board who have called for reparations. The group has been actively involved in voter outreach efforts in swing states.
Despite criticism, Harris has received support from leaders like Tamika Mallory and Pastor Jamal Bryant, who have emphasized the need for reparations. Bryant recently walked from Baltimore to the White House to draw attention to the issue.
Overall, the conversation around reparations continues to gain momentum, with various voices advocating for meaningful action to address historical injustices faced by Black Americans.
