By Natalie Williams
The New York State Reparations Commissioners received a wonderful turn out for their event hosted at the Carol L. Crooms BECA Center on Tuesday, December 9, 2025.
Before a full house, three commissioners ( Dr. Shanelle Hawkins, Timothy R. Hughs and Dr. Ron Daniels ) explained that they are traveling through New York State to describe the commission’s work, and ultimately to report their recommendations to Governor Kathy Hochul.
Two speakers described how current policies developed as outcomes of Slavery and Racial Segregation in New York State have impacts on lives of millions of New Yorkers today. Did you know that slavery started in New York in 1626? Also, New York City had a slave market on the corner of Wall Street and Market Street in 1711. Slavery was foundational to New York State. And the damage done did not end with abolition in 1827.
Toni Smith, NYS Director of the Drug Policy Alliance spoke of the impact that the Rockefeller Drug laws of 1973 continues to have. Sentencing for drug crimes are at a rate of 160 Blacks to 1 White. Punishment, policing and surveillance is largely used against Black populations, whereas White populations often receive therapy, with no prison time or police record.
Drug use can result in evictions, the separation of black mothers from their babies, and the overdose crisis is killing Black men. She recommends that Reparation Remedies must include uprooting the drug war.
Dr. Divine Pryor, CEO at the People’s Police Academy a Medger Evers College followed. He pointed to the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which led to a vendictive system to allow for the law to become weaponized against black people. “Neither slavery or involuntary servitude, except as a punishment” for commission of a crime, became a mechanism for the mass incarceration of Black People. He spoke about prisoner leasing, about the Attica Prisoner Rebellion and the Rockefeller Drug Laws. He notes that The Drug War is a war; and the objective in a war is to kill the enemy. Our humanity, as Black Folks has continually been under attack. From “Black Codes” to the cradle to prison pipeline, he noted that “the harm and injury of 320 years of slavery and 120 years of Jim Crow racism” have left us traumatized. And that harm, now snatches our future. He notes that Black incarceration is going up, yet crime is not going down. He advocates that young people not be arrested for a list of minor infractions – and that white youth rarely are – as an arrest will mark you with fingerprints and a mug shot, creating a RAP sheet whereby you may ultimately become state property.
These presentations will be placed on the commission’s website.
Public Comments where then made. Uticans described how their lives were impacted – from lead paint disproportionately affecting the Black population, lack of employment opportunities, lack of activities for our children to participate in our community, intensified police surveillance, gun violence, to the homelessness and drug addictions that we can witness throughout Cornhill. Others insisted that only “Freemen” ought to be the ones to receive reparations. Some suggested economic awards, other suggested that land be offered in compensation to the decendants of slaves in New York State.
Do you have a statement to make about yourself or your family’s experience regarding how reparations should be effectuated in New York State? You may call in your testimony at 518-473-3997 or send your testimony via email at ReparationsCommision@reparations.ny.gov
We are thankful to Brother Courtney Muhamed and Sister Teoka Muhamed for their organizing and hospitality in creating the Carol L. Crooms BECA center. It is a place for learning and connecting in our community.
