Black leaders are not too thrilled with Cynthia Nixon’s recent comments about black communities getting a form of reparation through legalized marijuana in New York.
On Saturday, the former Sex and the City actress told Forbes magazine, “now that cannabis is exploding as an industry, we have to make sure that those communities that have been harmed and devastated by marijuana arrests get the first shot at this industry.”
“We (must) prioritize them in terms of licenses. It’s a form of reparations.”
Reverand Al Sharpton was quick to respond with a tweet and said, “I’m for legalizing marijuana and I like Cynthia Nixon but putting pot shops in our communities is not reparations.” He continued, “Health care, education !!”
Manhattan Democratic Party Chairman Keith Wright said that her comment “is ill-informed, lacks understanding of the greatest crime in history, and should cease and desist.”
“Reparations is a repayment for the free labor that built this country,” said Wright.
“Ms. Nixon should relegate her comments to legalization, pro or con,” he said. “I believe social equity should be a part of licenses to sell marijuana, if and when legalization does occur. However, it is insulting to my soul, that the free labor that my ancestors gave to this country would be equated with the selling of marijuana.”
Black Lives Matter of Greater NY also said the comments were “offensive and ignorant.”
