Evanston, a city in suburban Chicago, is trying to redress its racially-charged history by using marijuana tax revenue for reparations. Robin Rue Simmons, a black alderman who represents the city’s historically black Fifth Ward, is in favor of the idea, according to a Washington Post article. When discussing the history of Evanston, Simmons stated, “This is in response to the continued impact of Jim Crow. From the war on drugs to mass incarceration, to the academic gap, the wealth divide, the opportunity gap, the achievement gap,” she said, “it is all based on race.” 

Simmons suggests giving African American families different ways to use direct funds to lessen disadvantages in these areas. One suggestion we found particularly interesting was her idea to offer an education stipend. The Canadian government has already paid reparations to minorities to atone for a history of miseducating minority children. If our state and local governments plan to create reparations programs, the US should also be considering similar options for minority children who have never had a shot at an equal education opportunity.

For example, in Evanston, where Robin Rue Simmons serves, Oakton Elementary received a 2 out of 10 in the Equity scoring category at greatschools.org. Why? White student test score ratings received a 9 out of 10 while black student test score ratings were only a 2 out of 10. When explaining the scoring, Great Schools writes, “Big differences may suggest that some student groups are not getting the support they need to succeed.” Of course, this language is a gentle way of saying that this is a school where minorities are being underserved.

As this NYT article suggests, it is more common for reparation plans to include vouchers for college than for K-12, but then again, these plans are often being put forward by professors at elite colleges. As we see at Oakton Elementary, the academic disparity begins much earlier than college. Addressing inequities in elementary school would have much bigger impacts on minority communities.

“K-12 Reparations Scholarships” is an idea worth pursuing to aggressively attack the academic achievement gap. Ironically, as Simmons points out, too often underserved minorities receive “government programming” rather than a voice in the conversation. Such programs often create more bureaucracy and work for families while still not allowing families to have a say in their own future. Reparations Scholarships, controlled by black families, might actually give these communities a way to be sure that their children are not given a second-class education. Maybe marijuana sales will actually mean freedom from an inferior education for African American children in Evanston.