generations, or the effects of grandparental food consumption on the health of grandchildren.
However, in parsing these studies, the authors find “no evidence of a pathway five or more generations, the minimum to attribute modernday outcomes to slavery-era trauma.”
Moreover, given the persistence of discrimination in the country, they find the transgenerational trauma argument unnecessary, as it does not explain anything that is not already explained by
“ongoing exposure to a dayto-day trauma-inducing environment.”
The authors conclude by stating the need for clarity around these arguments, especially as discussion around Black reparations continues to grow. Only precise arguments can help identify the proper causes — and enable the necessary solutions.
“There are many good arguments for pursuing Black reparations, or similar policies to promote racial equity,” says Darity, “but this is not one of them.”
