By Joanne M. Braxton, PhD
"What do you think about Reparations? What's that about, 40 acres and a mule? You know you gonna get some pushback." These are the phrases that usually chase any mention of the R-word. However, in August 2023, I received an invite to a national meet-up about Reparations in Hampton, Virginia. It came from the 400 Years of African-American History Commission, a Federally appointed committee.
Going back to Virginia, where I taught Black Studies and social justice for 38 years, I had a lot of feelings. One was surprise at being invited. But maybe I shouldn't have been surprised. After all, the Braxton Institute was already in the Reparations conversation. We'd signed on to HR 40, to study Reparations. Our programming had featured Nkechi Taifa and Mark Osler talking about the need for Reparations. We put up another program where Nkechi and Constance Paige Young spoke. We created safe spaces for teachers at risk for their good work. I had lectured in a law school classroom, preached a sermon about repair from a pulpit, well maybe two. And we had trained some small black-led organizations in the principles of restorative justice. Our good work is often in the background, but as it turns out, this time our good work on behalf of a black-led community coalition from Lakeland, Maryland had been noticed. I felt deeply honored.
It was an amazing three day work session among communal spirits. Repair is taking many forms, from land return, to direct payments and scholarships and more. Folks came from DC, Evanston, Tulsa, St. Paul, San Francisco, and Detroit. Diving with a Purpose and the GU 272 family were at the table. We heard from US Congressman Virginia Representative Bobby Scott. Together we toured the landing site of the first Africans in the English Americas. We visited the Historic Tucker Family Cemetery in Hampton, Virginia, one of the oldest black cemeteries in America. And we lifted each other up. It was one of those life-giving experiences that changes a person and helps you see new possibilities.
What will be the outcome? It is still too soon to know, but I have a few ideas. There will be more to report in the coming weeks and months. In the meanwhile, here are a few images to give you a sense of the meeting and the new optimism I feel. How do you feel about Reparations? Please share your thoughts.
