White House senior adviser Cedric Richmond told Axios on HBO that it was “feasible” for President Biden to make progress in breaking down barriers for people of color in the first term, while Congress studied compensation for slavery.
Why it matters: Biden said in the campaign that he supports the creation of a commission to study and develop proposals for compensation – direct payments to African Americans.
A panel of the House heard evidence on the legislation last week.
- “I think that [creation of a commission] will succeed, ”Richmond said.
What they say: Richmond said that although the timeline for the commission is not known, ‘if you start talking about free university tuition to [Historically Black Colleges and Universities] and you start talking about free community college in title I and all that stuff, I think you’re well on your way. ‘
- “We need to start breaking down systemic racism and barriers that deter people of color and especially African Americans,” he said. “[W]I have to do things now. ‘
What’s next: Richmond pointed to a Biden executive action “to break down barriers in housing and ensure that African Americans can transfer wealth through home ownership, and that their homes are no less valued than homes in different communities, just as a result” of the environment in which it is located. “
- “We do not want to wait for a study,” he said. “We’re going to start acting now.”
Watch a clip from the interview.