New England Journal of Political Science
Abstract
Contemporary critiques of race reparations programs in the United States often highlight two primary concerns: the shortcomings of similar policy in the past, and a perception of reparations as a kneejerk response to nationwide protests against police violence. This article presents the city of Providence’s 2020 reparations project as a potential response to these criticisms. By contextualizing the bill within the history of reparations in the United States and decades of historical activism on racial violence in the history of Southern New England, this article establishes Providence’s reparations project not simply as a reaction to recent racial justice activism, but rather the culmination of decades of historical and transitional justice activism through public history and art projects around the region. As public policy deeply grounded in historical research and an understanding of past attempts at restorative justice, Mayor Jorge Elorza’s reparations project presents a fresh, holistic approach to reparations, including an independent research commission, targeted recommendations for project implementation, and involvement from civil society organizations, government agencies, and law enforcement. This project has placed Providence on the growing list of American cities pursuing race reparations programs, and its implementation could serve as a barometer for measuring the effectiveness of public history projects and awareness programs in facilitating public support necessary for effective reparations.
Recommended Citation
Shea, Patrick
(2023)
"Race and Reparations in Providence, Rhode Island: The Role of Public History in Racial Justice,"
New England Journal of Political Science: Vol. 13:
No.
1, Article 6.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/nejps/vol13/iss1/6