Reflections on Black History Month
We asked Interim Vice President of Governance Studies and Director of the Race, Prosperity, and Inclusion Initiative Camille Busette to offer her perspective on the country and progress for Black Americans in the policy space.
How are you feeling about the state of America this Black History Month?
The United States is a dynamic democracy that is always evolving. We have experienced a few recent years where some of the norms, conventions, and beliefs that we count on for the smooth functioning of our political system were tested. Although the degree of polarization is high, voters have also been highly engaged over the last two election cycles. So, overall, our system is functioning.
Where we do face enduring challenges is in recognizing and supporting the aspirations of Black Americans. We are not, across the United States, agreed on the fact we owe a historical debt to Black Americans whose ancestors literally created the foundations of the American economy without compensation and for whom thriving in the country has been like running a steeplechase course. The nature of structural racism is not something we agree on at this point. And that is disappointing. I think we can certainly do better and acknowledge that we have to find a way to make compensating the descendants of enslaved Africans a serious topic for policymaker consideration.
What issue areas do you think would benefit from more Black researchers?
We all know that some disciplines have had a hard time embracing Black researchers. I definitely think that the economics profession has significant opportunity to expand the number and focus areas of Black researchers.
In addition, in policymaking circles, Black researchers who can work with and include Black and other communities of color in their work have the advantage of having a very large impact on those communities. Policymaking circles should be seeking out these types of researchers.
The public policy issue areas that could continue to benefit from the efforts of more Black researchers are those in the technology space (where there are very few BIPOC voices), health policy, and tax policy. In each of these areas, there are opportunities to enhance the perspectives that are typically considered, and Black researchers could add insights that might advance policy equity goals in these arenas.
What issue area affecting Black Americans do you think has seen the most progress in recent years?
Although it would be hard for most Black Americans to feel as though we have made enough progress, I do think the fact that the term “racism” is part of the common discourse represents huge progress from even 15 years ago. When we can name and acknowledge something as profound and dehumanizing as racism, we can also start to chart a path away from it.
