Why Reparations Now?

In 2014, Ta-Nehesi Coates wrote “The Case for Reparations” for The Atlantic. Coates makes cogent and deeply compelling arguments about why reparations is justice in this moment. If you have any doubts about the fairness and efficacy of reparations, you must read Coates’ article.  

Since then, many individuals and organizations continue to make the case for reparations.  For the first time, questions about reparations were asked during the presidential elections. What seems most useful to note is that, yes, reparations are about the past, but they are also about the now. Yes, they are about settling a debt and about paving the way for a new kind of America. In this new America, we not only acknowledge the harm done by slavery, but we also invest in the lives and communities of Black folks who continue to reel from hundreds of years of economic devastation caused by slavery, Jim Crow, red-lining, the war on drugs and the prison industrial complex.  

This is an important and opportune time for us to boost our work related to economic justice. CRS member congregations last year affirmed the importance of this work by approving the addition of reparations to the already established Just Economy, Community Development & Reparations platform. In the coming months, we will engage in conversation, build a team of volunteers and work to launch campaigns that will continue to make the case for and demand reparations. Please reach out to me if you are interested in joining in this work.  

We look forward to being with you in the struggle!  

In solidarity,

Keron Blair
Capacity Building Manager for Organizing and Policy