Keith Williams: Detroit’s been at the forefront of the reparations movement

Michigan Democratic Black Caucus Caucus chair, Keith Williams, says reparations is the most important initiative the government can take up to help close the wealth gap between people of color and white people. (Keith Williams photo)

For decades, Detroiters have been at the helm of the reparations discussion at every civic level. Keith Williams, chairman of the Michigan Democratic Black Caucus, ran the latest campaign in Detroit that created the upcoming Reparations Taskforce. The former Wayne County commissioner said he became involved in the reparations movement when he learned how much harm had been done to Black people through slavery, restricted covenants, illegal property taxes and gerrymandering. Related:

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Williams said reparations is the most important initiative the government can take up to help close the wealth gap between people of color and white people. BridgeDetroit interviewed Williams to learn how he was involved in the creation of Detroit’s Reparations Taskforce and how what’s happening in Detroit is related to the state and national discussion. At the federal level, Senate Bill 40 was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee in January 2021, and House Resolution 40 was discharged from the House Judiciary Committee in April of the same year. The committee voted 25-17 to create a commission to study and develop reparation proposals for African Americans. Locally, Detroit voters approved the creation of a reparations taskforce last November after City Council President Mary Sheffield introduced the proposal to council. Williams said Detroit’s taskforce community meetings are expected to begin in early 2022. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. BridgeDetroit: Detroiters have been at the helm of reparations since … Williams: Since John Conyers. BridgeDetroit: Right. He introduced (the bill) … So why do you think this discussion has continually come back to Detroit? Why are Detroiters always leading the discussion? Williams: It’s the Detroit toughness. We want to bring resolution to things. We know John Conyers introduced H.R. 40. We are trying to finish off John Conyers’ dream. He was my mentor. He got me involved when I was a county commissioner, and I never forgot that. It goes back to our history of Coleman Young and the Buddy Battles of the world; they set the tone for a progressive movement in Detroit. BridgeDetroit: You worked with Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield — what did that look like? What was the process of getting the taskforce on the ballot?

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