Black students, on average, owe thousands more than their white peers when they graduate, and the disparity only grows with time. Philanthropists want to change that.
| Updated: 6:25 p.m.
Utah Rep. Burgess Owens, who is Black and a descendant of slaves, is blasting a push by Democrats to create a commission that would explore reparations for African Americans.
“Reparations are not the way to right our country’s wrong,” the conservative Republican said during a hearing Wednesday in the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties. He is a member of that panel.
“It is impractical and a nonstarter for the United States government to pay reparations,” he said. “It is also unfair and heartless to give Black Americans the hope that this is a reality.”