Wu’s “Reparations Task Force” Makeup 20% Teenagers
I never thought I’d have to do it, but I’ve been left with no choice. I’m much too committed to equity to remain on the sidelines.
I volunteer to lead Michelle Wu’s Reparations Task Force. No, not that one. They seem to have that one taken care of. But if the city is out here throwing money and resources at formerly marginalized groups, it’s high time we let Irish Catholic Bostonians—and, obviously, their descendants—cash in.
I’d begin by taking a deep dive into investigating the historical anti-Irish, anti-Catholic sentiment held by Harvard University, which has a $53-billion endowment—plenty to give in the form of cash, assets, and other creative approaches. As a woman of Irish descent, I’d score double from the Crimson. My “kind” wasn’t let in until 1945. (Sorry, Radcliffe was not really Harvard.)
Unlike Wu’s Reparations Task Force, my team would consist only of those eligible to vote in the United States. Asking 16-year-olds what they want from the government likely won’t solve any real, systemic issues. I’m not exaggerating here. Two of the ten members on Wu’s Reparations Task Force are juniors at Jeremiah E. Burke High School.
On Wu’s Task Force is also Na’tisha Mills, the Embrace Boston program manager. I’m not a betting woman, but if Embrace is involved I might predict a funneling of our tax dollars toward more ten-million-dollar sculptures resembling…well, you know.
A week ago, Michelle Wu officially announced the creation of the program—enacted by a Boston City Ordinance—to develop reparation proposals.
“For 400 years,” Wu claimed, “the brutal practice of enslavement and recent policies like redlining, the busing crisis, and exclusion from City contracting have denied Black Americans pathways to build generational wealth, secure stable housing, and live freely.”
Though her equation of busing to slavery is off-putting, there is truth behind Mayor Wu’s statement. Boston’s generational wealth disparity poses a significant obstacle to many, especially in surrounding towns where the cost to own property is wildly excessive.
Coming up with a down payment while shelling out bloated rent and being taxed six ways to Sunday is near impossible. But I mostly blame Democrat policies for keeping the non-trust-funded classes in the confines of urban areas.
In the Task Force’s official announcement, Wu’s office touts the strides made by the City’s Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion (if you’re asking why this office exists, know that I am, too) to “include more businesses of color in City contracting.”
Then comes the euphemism— “accessibility.” Accessibility is great. More of that, please! However, once you take a closer look into this office you’ll realize what “accessibility” really means. Boston has barred some storefronts from being rented to male or white owners.
Last year, Wu created the Office of Black Male Advancement and the Commission of Black Men and Boys. While this office might be doing beneficial work, its creation will pose a major future issue for “equitable” Democrat Wu. Where is the Office of Black Female Advancement? What about non-binary? Now that you mention it, what does “male” even mean?
And will she do the same for Japanese Bostonians, whose ancestors were tossed into internment camps during World War II by (Democrat) President Roosevelt? Jewish Bostonians? The list would never end.
On second thought, I shouldn’t give her too many ideas. City Hall is chomping at the bit to shell out more tax dollars for new bureaucrat positions.
I’ll have a lot on my plate as I compile my epic team of Hibernian Task Forcers, but if Mayor Wu is listening, she should know I’m willing to stretch myself thin and offer my gifts and talents to oversee an Office of Irish Female Advancement.
