Athens Reparations Action gives first checks to Linnentown descendants

The Athens Reparations Action started the first phase of their reparations to Linnentown descendants in a powerful and hopeful ceremony at the Ebenezer Baptist Church, West, on Sunday, June 23. 

The ARA gathered at EBCW along with descendants of the 10 families of Linnentown, some of whom have memories of growing up playing in the streets of the once vibrant Black neighborhood. In the 1960s, through eminent domain, the City of Athens and the University of Georgia seized Linnentown’s land, paving the way for UGA’s Brumby, Creswell and Russell halls.

The service began with a statement from Rev. Daryl G. Bloodsaw, delivered by Chaplain Cole Knapper, that reminded attendees that Linnentown is just one example of many Black communities that have been forced out of their homes and disenfranchised throughout American history.

“What of the American dream?” Bloodsaw’s statement said. “Linnentown is a stark reminder that slices of America’s apple pie for some are only crumbs that fall from the master’s table.” 

Next, Rev. Miki Chastain, the pastor at the Oconee Street United Methodist Church gave a statement that called on the Christian community to embrace reparations and she recognized the inaction that majority-white churches took to combat racism.

“Generation after generation we have either facilitated and participated in or we have conveniently turned our eyes away from the grossest atrocities that humankind has ever perpetrated against our beloved siblings,” Chastain said.

Knapper then spoke about reparations, where she announced that the ARA has raised over $120,000 for the descendants of Linnentown, most of which came from private donations. 

“Today, we declare that we don’t have to wait on the University of Georgia,” said Knapper, to thunderous applause.“We don’t have to wait on the Board of Regents. We don’t have to wait on our elected representatives in the Georgia State Legislature. We don’t have to wait. For the naysayers who say the preparations will never be paid to Black folks in America, Athens Reparation Action, ARA, Ebenezer and Oconee Street United Methodist churches and Linnentown descendants that are still sitting up here today say ‘Just you watch us.’”

Knapper also gave the history of Black subjugation in America and outlined the history of reparations, such as General William Sherman giving 40 acres of land to every newly freed slave family during the Civil War and Germany’s $86 billion in reparation to jewish families since 1946.

The check presentation ceremony then began, with descendants from each of the 10 families- the Brown family, the Crook family, the Davis family, the Hunter family, the Johnson family, the Smith family, the Taylor family, the Taylor family, the Thomas family and the Williams family- present to accept the checks and share their memories of Linnentown. 

Bobby Crook recalled that his family was the very last to move out of Linnentown, and many other speakers told stories of running down the streets of Linnentown, playing softball and visiting their auntie’s house.

 

Marie Johnson, who was a young girl when Linnentown and her home were destroyed, struggled to get up to the podium to speak, but got up, despite having the option to give her speech from her seat.

“I chose to stand, like my father stood back then. When we thought it wasn’t possible to stand, he stood. I stand here for him today.”

Others used the platform to critique the University of Georgia and the University System of Georgia, who have not paid any reparations to the Linnentown descendants. 

“The past actions of the University System of Georgia were a true example of racist and discriminatory actions- a pure example of one group’s willingness to use their power and privilege over another group,” said  Xernona J. Thomas, granddaughter of Fred and Susie Mae Brown, who were removed from Linnentown in the 1960s.

Some speakers were overwhelmed with emotion and shed tears at the podium as they recalled being pushed out of their childhood homes.

 

“It was awful,” said Linda Thomas, who grew up in Linnentown. “I just want to thank everybody that helped us. You know, it was just awful.”

Once every descendant had received their reparation checks, a group photo was taken and a celebratory dinner was held. While the money is a small fraction of what UGA professor Jerry Shannon has calculated that the descendants deserve, $5 million, the ARA still holds that this is the first time in Georgia and potentially the country, that a Black community has received reparations for past wrongdoings, and therefore Sunday’s service is a pivotal moment in history.

The descendants of Linnentown first came together in 2019, starting conversations about Linnentown that culminated in the founding of the ARA in 2021, with the mission “to promote public awareness and recognition of the financial impact of urban renewal on Black homeowners in Athens and to work toward redress of the harm done.” 

In 2021, the ACC Mayor and Commission passed the Linnentown Resolution to create the Justice and Memory Committee, which determined the amount of wealth lost by Linnentown residents and made recommendations to the Commission on providing redress to the descendants. Mayor Kelly Girtz also signed a proclamation officially apologizing to Athenians displaced by urban renewal projects.

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