TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – An amendment to the Florida Constitution has been proposed, one that would essentially put the question of reparations in the hands of Florida voters.
As it currently reads, Florida Senate Joint Resolution 582 would “prohibit the state, a county, a municipality … from paying reparations to certain individuals.”
More specifically, “compensation…to an individual who is a descendant of an enslaved individual.”
“We’re concerned that those who are elected to serve are spending time and effort to put forth proposals that don’t look to advance the people,” said Daniella Pierre, who heads the NAACP Miami-Dade branch.
Pierre’s organization moved to issue a travel advisory warning Black people to avoid the state.
The national board later issued that warning, with the organization pointing to the state’s redrawn congressional maps that have been legally challenged on the basis of race, along with changes to Black history courses, and diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
Pierre said this latest proposal tracks.
“They’re aimed to erase our history and diminish who we are,” she said.
State Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring HIll, filed the resolution last week.
In a statement to Local 10 News, Ingoglia said:
“Bad ideas in some states seem to find their way into other(s)…Giving the voters the option to enshrine the prohibition into our Constitution takes the prospect of vote buying in the form of ‘reparations’ off the table.”
“Reparations is restorative justice, right?” said Pierre. “It will provide restitution and it will provide a reckoning to people, so this is needed.”
The measure was recently filed, and a majority of senators and representatives would have to approve it before it ends up on the ballot.