And though attitudes towards reparations for slavery tend to polarize the U.S., BET founder Robert Johnson believes that “now is the time to go big” on reparations to help prevent the country from splitting into separate and unequal societies.

In an interview with CNBC on Monday, Johnson said the U.S. government should provide $14 trillion of reparations for slavery to help reduce inequality.

The 74-year-old philanthropist argued that paying reparations or what he calls the “affirmative action program of all time,” would demonstrate that white Americans acknowledge “damages that are owed” for the injustices slavery created.

U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, who announced her full support for reparations for black Americans affected by slavery, said last February: “We must confront the dark history of slavery and government-sanctioned discrimination in this country that has had many consequences including undermining the ability of Black families to build wealth in America for generations.”

Over the years, those who have supported reparations say it is necessary to help redress the wrongs of slavery and racial discrimination.