evanston's alderman for the fifth ward, robin ruth simmons, was born and raised in the historically blackd she represents. >> this community was red line historically. that has come along with damages that continue today. resources were stripped away from the black community along with wealth as well. >> reporter: the city's plan to change that? reparations. an idea long debated, proposed over 150 years ago. first, 40 acres of land. later, a mule. for formerly enslaved people to share the american dream, built on their backs, for free. >> we built this nation! >> reporter: a promise long broken until now. >> this is a historic vote -- >> reporter: evanston is set to become the first u.s. city to pay out reparations. a total of $10 million starting with increments of up to $25,000 per person for housing. >> i didn't start my elected career even discussing reparations. >> what changed? >> i was looking at data. i was looking at what we had done. and reparations was the only answer. >> the only answer? >> the only answer. >> the only answer? >> the only. any more of the same was going to onl

when robin ruth simmons and her colleagues did town hall meetings and hearings across the city, whatpersons affected was over and over again, housing, housing, housing. therefore, that's why it's paired to a housing initiative conceived by the stakeholders, and it went to the reparations subcommittee and was approved by the city council. we think the alderwoman is entitled to her opinion. we think that is good. all of that, quite frankly, is positive because this is not the end of the initiative. this is really the beginning. there will be many opportunities in order to have reparations initiatives. i should say this, however. the relationship between the national and federal, it would take federal legislation to create the large amount of resources to deal with the injury over the centuries. no amount of money is enough or cash is enough, but at least the federal government under the leadership of congresswoman sheila jackson lee will be the way in which this ultimately does the repair that is needed. john: dr. ron daniels, thank you very much. dr. daniels: thank you. ♪ judy: thing