Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Breaks Moderate Stance, Advocates for Reparations

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has broken away from his typically moderate political stance. He publicly announced his support for reparations, a move that could potentially shift the dynamics of his campaign and the broader political landscape.

Kennedy’s endorsement of reparations is seen by many as a strategic maneuver to draw support away from Joe Biden. The current administration has remained notably silent on the issue of reparations, with the White House refusing to provide a clear stance on the matter earlier this year.

Instead, they deferred the decision to Congress, stating it is the appropriate venue for such considerations.

Kennedy, however, has taken a definitive stand.

He advocates for the use of federal tax dollars to “rebuild black infrastructure” such as banks and businesses. This approach, he argues, would specifically target communities that were intentionally destroyed during the Jim Crow era for repair and restoration.

In addition to rebuilding black infrastructure, Kennedy also supports “direct redress payments or tax credits,” rather than indiscriminate cash handouts. He believes communities specifically targeted for destruction should be specifically targeted for repair.

This includes institutions like black banks, businesses, hospitals, schools, and farms that were systematically dismantled during the Jim Crow era.

On his campaign website, Kennedy states, “During Jim Crow, black banks, businesses, hospitals, schools, and farms were targeted for destruction. Racists knew that without these, the black community had no chance of building wealth. We must set federal dollars aside to rebuild black infrastructure.”

Kennedy further elaborates these programs would complement direct redress payments or tax credits to the descendants of the victims of Jim Crow and other victims of persecution.

He promises to find ways to offer this redress that are legal, fair, and win the approval of Americans of all races.

In a recent interview with YouTuber Math Hoffa, Kennedy expressed his belief that these measures would be “less likely to contribute to polarization between blacks and whites because it benefits everybody. Everybody, even people who are Trumpers everybody wants business to work and to flourish.”

Kennedy’s stance on reparations marks a significant departure from his usual moderate posturing. It remains to be seen how this will impact his campaign and the broader political discourse surrounding the issue of reparations.