Boston, which has a history of racism, is considering creating a commission to look at the city’s role in slavery and possibly give its Black residents reparations, according to the Associated Press. On Oct. 26, the City Council’s Committee on Civil Rights had a hearing about this polarizing issue of reparations.

RELATED: U.N. Human Rights Chief: Reparations Are a Necessity

They heard from Black community activists and the public about how the city can address this issue, according to the Associated Press. 

According to Oxford Bibliographies, the definition of reparations is “the process and result of remedying the damage or harm caused by an unlawful act. The purpose of reparations is generally understood to reestablish the situation that existed before the harm occurred.” 

Dr. Jemadari Kamara is a professor of Africana Studies at the University of Massachusetts Boston. He is also in support of a city commission on reparations, stating that large cities like San Francisco have already started the process. 

“We have an opportunity here to establish a commission that will help us bridge this gap of acknowledgement, leading to reconciliation,” Dr. Kamara said to the Associated Press. 

Another person in support of the reparations process is executive director of the New Democracy Coalition, Kevin Peterson. According to the Associated Press, he believes that the Black community should be leading the reparations process. 

“Any committee must be Black-led and Black-controlled,” Peterson said. “Let Black people lead on the issue.” 

RELATED: Amherst, Massachusetts Approves Reparations for its Black Residents

In June of this year, the city of Amherst created a fund to pay its Black residents reparations as America was in a racial reckoning.