Many people in America suffer discrimination, but the African American experience is unique. For centuries, Black people were enslaved and forced to endure conditions worse than inhuman. Where slavery ended, mass incarceration began: to this day, one of the most notorious southern plantations, Angola, remains one of the country’s most brutal prison camps. Where generous federal housing subsidies created a white middle class, Black Americans were expressly excluded, instead crowded into neighborhoods where they were denied credit, starved of public investment and subject to financial predators — and to a large extent still are. The enduring legacy of this unconscionable history is reflected in the fact that, despite progress in closing education and employment gaps, the typical Black household remains almost ten times poorer than the typical white household.

1. Defend civil rights.

Basic freedoms are a prerequisite for realizing one’s potential. Black Americans cannot fully participate in society if they are disproportionately incarcerated, politically disenfranchised and subject to systematic discrimination.

As mayor of New York City, Mike  recognizes that he made mistakes: most notably, an over-reliance on the policing strategy known as stop-and-frisk, which -- in an effort to reduce gun violence -- ended up disproportionately targeting and traumatizing people of color. As president, Mike will demonstrate that he can learn from his mistakes and do a better job for all Americans. This will start by defending their civil rights. He will:

● Support the creation of a commission to study reparations for Black Americans, with the aim of developing actionable policies.

● Reinvigorate the civil rights division of the Justice Department, and reorient it toward defending the rights of protected groups.

● Shed greater light on discriminatory practices by requiring transparency. For example:

○ Support SEC rulemakings to make companies report on hiring, pay and procurement by

race and other characteristics.

○ Collect the data needed to monitor racial bias in consumer and business lending.

● Enforce HUD rules, such as Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing, that tie federal funding to progress in reducing segregation.

● Support legislation to limit mandatory arbitration agreements, so employees have the power to take employers to court for discrimination and harassment.

● Require all federal institutions and contractors

much more attached - from the bloomberg scholars curriculum