Re:UBI in Oakland is the first program only for people of color
by triceratops on Friday April 02, 2021 @12:47PM
(#26673143)
This sounds bad, I agree. But let's take a look at the program's website, a primary source, instead of relying on reporting alone. [1]
Tl;dr It's funded by private donations, run by local organizations, and is a pilot to conduct research. It's not taxpayer money being handed out preferentially, and it's not UBI.
"Oakland Resilient Families is 100% funded by philanthropic donations. To date we have raised $6.75 million, at least 80% of which will be distributed directly to families over the next 18 months."
"Is this the same thing as a Universal Basic Income (UBI)?
No. UBI is meant to go to everyone and provide enough of a payment to cover all basic needs, whereas a guaranteed income is meant to provide an income floor but not meant to be a replacement for wages and can also be targeted to those who most need it. UBI would provide everyone - regardless of income - with equal cash support (often instead of existing social benefits). Oakland Resilient Families is intended for low-income BIPOC families and therefore is by definition not “universal.” Additionally, a central research focus for this project is to determine how a guaranteed income can enhance and expand the existing social safety net rather than replace it."
"The 600 randomly selected families will fall into two groups. Both groups will receive the same amount of money, participate in optional research surveys and interviews, and measure a similar set of outcomes related to economic and household wellbeing. The primary differences between the two groups lie in how they are structured in terms of location, income level, and research design."
The headline is carefully crafted to generate maximum outrage. I don't agree about aid being based on anything other than need. But at the same time, it's not for me to say how other people spend their money.
Tl;dr It's funded by private donations, run by local organizations, and is a pilot to conduct research. It's not taxpayer money being handed out preferentially, and it's not UBI.
"Oakland Resilient Families is 100% funded by philanthropic donations. To date we have raised $6.75 million, at least 80% of which will be distributed directly to families over the next 18 months."
"Is this the same thing as a Universal Basic Income (UBI)?
No. UBI is meant to go to everyone and provide enough of a payment to cover all basic needs, whereas a guaranteed income is meant to provide an income floor but not meant to be a replacement for wages and can also be targeted to those who most need it. UBI would provide everyone - regardless of income - with equal cash support (often instead of existing social benefits). Oakland Resilient Families is intended for low-income BIPOC families and therefore is by definition not “universal.” Additionally, a central research focus for this project is to determine how a guaranteed income can enhance and expand the existing social safety net rather than replace it."
"The 600 randomly selected families will fall into two groups. Both groups will receive the same amount of money, participate in optional research surveys and interviews, and measure a similar set of outcomes related to economic and household wellbeing. The primary differences between the two groups lie in how they are structured in terms of location, income level, and research design."
The headline is carefully crafted to generate maximum outrage. I don't agree about aid being based on anything other than need. But at the same time, it's not for me to say how other people spend their money.
[1] https://oaklandresilientfamilies.org/about