In an interview with The Root on Tuesday, White House hopeful Robert Francis “Beto” O’Rourke argued that all Americans should learn the history of slavery before reparations can become a reality.
Asked if he supports reparations for descendants of slaves, O’Rourke said, “I think, ultimately, we may arrive at that conclusion. But before we do, I think every single American needs to know the full story of this country… I would support those steps that would allow us to repair the damage done and to stop visiting this kind of injustice on future generations.
“But I am convinced in a democracy, unless everybody understands the story of this country—and most people do not—you’ll never get to that action or that end result,” he added.