How to repair a legacy of racism

Monday, December 6

A mother holds her daughter as she reads a sign, before the arrival of US President Joe Biden, in the Greenwood district on the 100th anniversary of the 1921 Tulsa Massacre in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on June 1, 2021. In Tulsa, the city that still bears the scars of a 1921 racial massacre, African American residents are eagerly awaiting the arrival of President Joe Biden on Tuesday, hoping he will hear their call for financial reparations.

Good evening and welcome to the new work week.

America still has far to go to foster a fully just society and to mitigate the lasting consequences of institutionalized racism. Today we're talking about reparations.

Explore reparations in housing, education, entrepreneurship

By Editorial board

Yes, the nation has made significant and important progress toward ending overt, legal discrimination, but America still has far to go not only to foster a fully just society but also to mitigate the lasting consequences of institutionalized racism.

Those are, again, undeniable facts.

How do we, a nation that strives for justice and equality, address the consequences of America's "original sin"?

America's journey toward racial justice shouldn't include reparations

By David Mastio

It is true that there remain wide disparities between Black and white Americans in pay, wealth, health, education and more. We have to do better. That's what America has always been about – a "more perfect union."

But the route to a better, more equal America is through colorblind reform and individual justice, not racial entitlements – programs for Black farmers, Black college students, Black homeowners, Black businesses and so on.

Today's editorial cartoon

Mike Thompson, USA TODAY

USA TODAY

•	December political cartoon gallery from the USA TODAY Network

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Columns on qualified immunity

We are doing a series examining the issue of qualified immunity. For more on the series read here.

•	Ending qualified immunity won't ruin cops' finances. It will better protect the public.
•	Ben & Jerry: We white people need to use our power to fight police abuse
•	My son was killed by a park ranger. Qualified immunity means I may never see justice.
•	Suing cops takes forever because they get 3 chances to appeal. Why should they?