Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo changed the state name by Executive Order at Billy Taylor Park on Camp street but the real talk behind the scenes at the ceremony was on possible legislation for slave reparations to be paid to families of color in Rhode Island. Would the people of the state support paying families of color in Rhode Island up to $3,000 a month in slave reparation payments? There is discussion the monthly payments could also involve Indigenous people and illegals  (as well as people of color).  What if the answer was no? Does this mean more violence? The Christopher Columbus statue was removed for fear of violence and now taxpayers may have to foot the bill to provide monthly payments for those who would qualify.

Would this mean tolls on cars to help pay for it? Anything is possible right now.  One of the speakers briefly touched on it last Monday but it is picking up steam around the city of Providence. It is true that Rhode Island was involved in the slave trade as a port of entry where slaves were brought into Newport and Providence in 1696. Is it time to pay up in 2020? Talk of reparations is becoming more popular around the country https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/06/24/magazine/reparations-slavery.html and Rhode Island could be first. This story is developing…