MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Otis Sanford reporting:
The Shelby County Commission this week waded into the thorny issue of reparations and as expected, tensions were thick in the commission meeting as all of the Black members supported a feasibility study on reparations and all of the white commissioners either voted "no" or abstained.
But just because there was strong disagreement in the room, does not mean the study should not be done. The issue of determining the feasibility of reparations is gaining momentum in various places around the country.
The commission plan would set aside $5 million in restricted funds in the county budget until a subcommittee develops a workable plan to address various systemic disparities around housing and homeownership, healthcare, job growth and building generational wealth.
The proposal apparently would not provide for direct payments to individuals the $5 million could come from the federal government's American Rescue Plan Act to help communities ravaged by the COVID pandemic.
It's clear that a majority of white residents strongly oppose even the idea of reparations while most African Americans support it but don't believe it will ever happen.
One problem might be that the term "reparations" carries a stigma similar to "defund the police" and the commission could have easily avoided the issue altogether.
But strong differences of opinion should not lead to inaction. Personally, I see nothing wrong with the study — even if it goes nowhere.
I'm Otis Sanford, and that's my point of view.