A Texas congresswoman suggested that descendants of slaves should be temporarily exempt from paying taxes as a way to distribute reparations.
Democratic Representative Jasmine Crockett appeared on an episode of the Black Lawyers Podcast released on Tuesday, suggesting that one way reparations could be paid to descendants of America’s former slave trade is for the group to be given a reprieve from paying taxes for a certain amount of time. The former civil rights and criminal attorney spoke of various ways reparations could be paid to living relatives of enslaved people.
She said that she saw “a celebrity,” whom Newsweek has been unable to identify, suggest that Black people should not have to pay taxes for an undetermined amount of time instead of being given money by a state or the federal government.
“One of the things they propose is Black folk not have to pay taxes for a certain amount of time because…that puts money back in your pocket,” she said. “If you do the no-tax thing for people that are already, say, struggling and aren’t really paying taxes in the first place, it doesn’t really matter.”
Representative Jasmine Crockett speaks during a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol on March 20 in Washington, D.C. Crockett has suggested descendants of slaves should be exempt from taxes for a period as a form of reparations.
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Earlier, she said she believed that reparations should go only to those who are descendants of slaves, not other black Americans.
Newsweek has contacted Crockett’s press team via email for comment outside of normal working hours.
“This is something that definitely needs to be thought through, but when have people that aren’t even willing to do the studies, aren’t willing to invest to make sure that we can roll this out the right way,” she said.
“Everybody hypothesizes about what reparations will do on both sides, and then there’s a breakdown. Because one side says it’s going to be the best thing since sliced bread, the other side says it’s going to be disastrous, instead of actually getting the data to show us these are the problematic parts, these are the not-so-problematic parts, and us actually crafting a thoughtful way forward.”
The clip has been posted by right-wing groups on social media. On X, formerly Twitter, End Wokeness posted a shortened version of Crockett’s comments that has been viewed 1.8 million times Tuesday night.
Right-wing personality Paul A. Szypula wrote on X: “We pay Crockett almost $200k a year to be in Congress and spout this nonsense. Unbelievable.”
Others have shown more restraint and support for Crockett, with X user Shahid Raazaq writing: “It’s essential to examine the root causes of why certain groups may not be paying taxes in the first place and work towards comprehensive solutions that promote economic equity and justice.”
User Sheez wrote: “Jasmine is quickly becoming my favorite person in Congress. I would listen to Ms. Crockett all day. She is such a poised, educated, GENUINE person. I’m impressed by her bravery, her patience and persistence.”
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.