National Black Justice Coalition Applauds Introduction of Reparations Now Resolution
CONTACT: Brett Abrams | brett@unbendablemedia.com
WASHINGTON, DC — This morning, Rep. Cori Bush introduced the Reparations Now Resolution, legislation that would provide broad support to the movement for reparations for slavery in America and its long-term impacts on Black Americans. Specifically, the resolution would:
- Recognize the federal government’s responsibility to provide financial reparations of at least $14 trillion to rectify ongoing harms resulting from violations by the U.S. government to Black people’s human right to self-determination and freedom from discrimination, in addition to other necessary remedies;
- Support the enactment of other vital reparatory justice legislation, such as H.R. 40, H.Con.Res.19, S.Con.Res 26, and H.Res.194; acknowledge the significance of and momentum brought by legacy organizations as well as additional grassroots and national organizations leading the modern-day reparations movement;
- Encourage the creation of local, state, and federal initiatives to identify sources of reparations demands arising from chattel slavery and its longstanding impact on Black people; and
- Honor the lives and legacies of those whose lives were stolen by the institution of chattel slavery and other forms of state-sanctioned violence in the United States.
In reaction to the legislation, Dr. David J. Johns, executive director of National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) , a leading Black LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, explained:
“Our country is over 150 years late on conversations and actions necessary to repair fractured racial relationships and trust across communities still struggling to exist beneath the weight of the systems, policies, and practices used to justify and maintain Slavery. It’s beyond time that the country we built for free provided earned reparations to the descendants of enslaved Africans. We applaud Rep. Cori Bush and her co-sponsors for recognizing this reality and introducing the Reparations Now resolution in Congress.
“Slavery created a ripple effect of justifiable government distrust, systemic racism and inequities, and state-sanctioned violence that continue to plague diverse Black communities. There will never be a more opportune time than today to have the national conversation on race and racism that our nation has actively avoided since the end of the Reconstruction era. In order to form a more perfect union that truly provides liberty and justice for all, we must rip off the band-aid of complacency and intentional obfuscation, move beyond the myths that affirm white supremacy, in all forms, and allow truth and accountability to disinfect and heal our nation’s wounds.”
“We applaud the steadfast leadership of Congresswoman Bush for her unrelenting advocacy. We are thankful for the leadership of Dr. Marcus A. Hunter and the Breathe With Me Coalition. NBJC is a proud partner in this important work and looks forward to the work that remains.”
Victoria Kirby York, director of Policy and Programs at NBJC, added:
“The conversation about reparations must be both economic and honest. Reparations that do not compensate impacted families in ways that will replace the wealth stolen and lost by Slavery and other government-led policies are a non-starter. The institution of Slavery caused harm to both white and Black families alike – and yet the conversation is avoided as though we all do not live in the evidence of that truth. Hard conversations must be had in order to truly progress to a society where one’s socially constructed race does not have a negative impact on one’s life.”
“Reparations conversations must also be thoughtful and imaginative. The idea of what reparations look like and what kind of reparations will have the most benefit has changed over the years – everyone does not need or want “40 acres and a mule.” There are ideas that no one has considered that may arise from having a commission and national conversation on reparations, but they must be given the space and opportunity to come to the forefront.”
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