Społeczno-polityczny dyskurs wokół reparacji i ustawy H.R. 40

Magdalena Modrzejewska

doi:10.35765/hp.2236

Published : 2022-02-08

Vol. 13 No. 43 (2022)

Socio-political discourse around Socio-Political Discourse on Reparations for African-Americans and the H.R. 40 Bill

Magdalena Modrzejewska

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0095-6630

DOI: https://doi.org/10.35765/hp.2236

Section: Thematic Articles

Abstract

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: To analyze the discourse surrounding the legislative process for the “Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act” in order to identify the arguments and objectives of reparations for African Americans.

THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METHODS: Research questions: what purposes would be served by paying reparations and how important is the economic component in the discussion process. We used MAXQDA to analyze the content of legal documents (bills, resolutions) and hearings before the subcommittee (recording of June 19, 2019, 3:39:57 and recording of February 17, 2021, 3:09:26) and prepared written witness statements (9 people testifying in 2019 and 7 people testifying in 2021).

THE PROCESS OF ARGUMENTATION: The text analyzes the evolution of the arguments and proposals aimed at establishing the “Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act” what the first step is towards identifying and paying reparations to African Americans with a focus on the 2019 hearings before the Congressional Legislative Committee.

RESEARCH RESULTS: The reparations debate is waged in moral, emotionally charged terms where those involved in the discourse refer to their heritage. Contrary to the narrative of the opponents of reparations, the economic aspect and the financial benefits on an individual level are not the primary focus of the debate for the proponents. Since the solution was introduced for debate in 1989, there has been a visible increase in support for the project in both Congress and the American public.

CONCLUSIONS, INNOVATIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Given the contemporaneity and importance of the phenomenon, further analysis of the discourse is necessary, particularly if a “Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act” is established and, as designed, prepares its report and recommendations.

Keywords

Keywords: Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act; reparations, slavery, public policy discourse

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