The Chicago Urban League event highlighted multi-generational voices, urging systemic change and accountability for historical injustices (Photo Credit: Marshelle Sanders).
Earlier this week, the Chicago Urban League gathered with thought leaders to discuss reparations, particularly R3 funding (Restore Reinvest and Renew), offering suggestions for all Black communities addressing the historical impacts of slavery and ongoing injustices, including those stemming from the war on drugs which are rooted in institutional racism.
The push for reparations has become a multi-generational movement within the African American community that advocates for justice and equity. It not only acknowledges the forced labor of our African ancestors but also seeks to restore support and dignity to the descendants who continue to face systemic inequities.
The CUL’s Research and Policy Center formed a committee of residents from 10 South Side neighborhoods to define community reparations. The committee focused on five key areas: civil and legal aid, economic development, reentry, support, youth development and violence prevention, engaging over 200 residents through surveys and interviews. The committee assessed community needs and developed reparations that targeted individuals directly affected by modern-day injustice.
Karen Freeman-Wilson, CEO of the Chicago Urban League, moderated the discussion, which featured insights from Katelyn Johnson (BlackRootsAlliance), Kiara Hardin (Research Contributor), Gillian Giles (Research Contributor), S. Mayumi “Umi” Grigsby (Chief of Policy), Kamm Howard (Director of Reparations United,) and Marvin Slaughter (Board Chair of the African Descendant Citizens Reparations Commission for Illinois).
Howard discussed the historical roots of reparations activism in Chicago for the panel discussion, highlighting past efforts by groups like the Nation of Islam and the Black Panther Party. He noted that local leaders have worked hard to hold corporations accountable for their historical ties to slavery, and Chicago continues to lead the way on reparation initiatives, setting a national example.
Photo Credit: Marshelle Sanders
A recent report by Gillian Giles and Naomi Johnson (who could not attend) explored how R3 funds could be utilized for reparations, revealing some unexpected perspectives.
One key question was, “If you had a billion dollars, what would you do with it?”
The question encouraged respondents to envision what reparations could look like, and their communities mainly expressed a desire for youth centers, mental health services and affordable housing, basic needs long denied due to the legacy of slavery.
“Ultimately, the conversation highlighted that reparations should focus on individuals and investing in their communities. This is vital to addressing historical injustices and insurance so all residents can thrive. We’re discussing reparations; it’s crucial to recognize these efforts and to heal the harm caused by intentional institutional policies,” said Hardin.
She also pointed out that while some may argue that they didn’t own slaves, it’s important to understand that systematic advantages have historically benefited certain groups while marginalizing others. She also stated that even if individuals didn’t directly participate in slavery, the laws often favored their space.
Johnson from the Black Roots Alliance added, “Communities and individuals are interconnected. Our findings highlight the importance of addressing both individual needs and community-wide concerns through initiatives like policy design circles, which will work to shift perspectives from scarcity to abundance.”
Grigsby, the city of Chicago’s chief of policy, noted the ongoing discussion about balancing community and individual reparations.
“Our mission is dual: to repair past harms and to create policies that foster systemic change. It’s crucial to recognize how decisions made at the state level affect individuals in underserved communities.”
They’re exploring establishing municipal grocery stores that provide culturally relevant food to meet community needs. They’re also looking into improving financial access, as many neighborhoods have many check-cashing places but lack full-service banks. The team is also researching ways to create public-private partnerships to enhance access to banking services essential for wealth building.
Slaughter stated, “We aim to ensure individuals have equitable job opportunities, especially in state contracts, while supporting businesses that can secure these contracts. It’s important to recognize that many Black-owned businesses may not be involved in sectors like data management, limiting their access to state contracts.”
The commission is currently focused on two main objectives: gathering data to identify gaps in community services and reviewing the slavery disclosure bill, making necessary adjustments to present it soon.
The community worries that this may result in the eventual abandonment of the project’s reparations framework. However, the Chicago Urban League and the committee plan to keep the process transparent, fostering greater community collaboration and amplifying dissenting voices regarding reparations efforts.
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