Virtual Amherst Symposium On Reparations Draws Nearly 300 Attendees

Reparations In Evanston, Ill, May  Include Home Down Payment Grants for Longtime Black Residents & Their Descendants 

Nearly 300 people attended the December 1 virtual symposium on reparations, sponsored by Reparations for Amherst. The forum featured panelists from Evanston, Ill., which passed a resolution for reparations for its Black residents in 2019, and Amherst’s Kathleen Anderson.

Anderson is co-chair of the New England Chapter of the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations (N’COBRA), and a longtime NAACP chapter leader. The symposium was organized by Michele Miller, Matthew Andrews and Corinne Andrews of Reparations for Amherst, which has met over the past year. 

Several Town Councilors attended, along with Town Manager Paul Bockelman, members of the newly formed Community Safety Working Group and State Sen., Jo Comerford, D-Amherst. Alderman Robin Rue Simmons of Evanston introduced the panel. 

History of the Reparations Movement

Kamm Howard, National  Male Co-Chair of N’COBRA and author of “Laying the Foundations for Local Reparations” gave a history of Black oppression in the U.S. and spoke about the rationale for reparations. 

At a 2001 United Nations World Conference in Durban, South Africa, the transatlantic slave trade was condemned as a crime against humanity, and a 400-year-long attack on Black people, Howard said. The slave trade involved the kidnapping of Black children and young adults, who suffered rape and  torture, and were dehumanized by being treated as property. After slavery ended, sharecropping continued to rob African-Americans of fair wages for their labor. In Southern states, prior to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Jim Crow laws created barriers to voting, and voter disenfranchisement still exists.  In addition, Black people today still endure over-policing and mass incarceration, Howard said, along with  predatory lending and loss of Black-owned businesses through  gentrification. As a consequence of these and other challenges, Blacks have lower life expectancy, and higher rates of maternal mortality,  suicide attempts, and children in foster care.

Since 1951, charges of Black genocide committed by the U.S. government have been brought to the United Nations several times, Howard said. Injustices against the Black community continue, while old crimes are not redressed. In Ferguson, MO., and other cities, Blacks were ticketed and fined at a much higher rate to fund the local government. “There is no justice without reparations.” Howard said. 

Reparation Plans in Evanston

Evanston is similar to Amherst in that it is also a largely white college community, though it is much larger, with a population of about 70,000 people. Simmons was raised in the 5^th ward which qualifies as a “food desert,” and has no community school or library, and the YMCA also closed recently. Even with proposed reforms and educational programs, problems such as major wealth disparities and over-policing remain, Simmons said. The Black population in Evanston was declining, and Simmons said she came to believe reparations were the only way to make things fair. 

The city had a history of supporting reparations dating to 2002, and made a commitment to end structural racism in 2019.

Last year, Evanston formed an Equity Empowerment Commission which continues to meet. Black community members felt heard, and the white community asked what its role would be, Simmons said.  A newly-enacted recreational cannabis tax of 3 percent was  identified as a funding source, along with a new fund to which citizens can contribute.

Suggestions for reparations in Evanston have included property tax reductions, money for home repair, down payment assistance and rental assistance. Economic development could be encouraged by providing a cooperative workspace, workforce training, and low interest loans for Black-owned businesses, Simmons said.

A reparations subcommittee was established in Evanston, and community meetings continue. The Reparations Subcommittee submitted a proposal to the Evanston City Council for $25,000 assistance for Black homebuyers and homeowners. To be eligible, residents need to have been a resident of Evanston between 1919 and 1969 or a direct descendant.

The Black population of Amherst has declined to six percent from being previously in the teens, Simmons said. She urged Amherst not to stop at reparations, but to aim for “full repair.” She also mentioned that U.S. House bill HR40 seeks reparations at the federal level.

A White Evanston Resident’s Perspective on Reparations

Nina Kavin said she grew up in Johannesburg under apartheid. When she and her husband moved to Evanston, she realized many of the same issues that bothered her as a child in South Africa existed in Evanston as well. Although Kavin interacted with Black people in town, she knew little about them personally.  She had only white neighbors and shopped at white stores. After being inspired by Bryan Stevenson’s book, “Just Mercy,” Kavin joined a Racial Justice Program in Evanston. However, when the program ended, Kavin said she had to take action. In 2015 she organized a bus trip to Stevenson’s Legacy Museum in Montgomery, AL., About 180 Evanston residents of many backgrounds participated.

Though the trip was inspiring, Kavin said she wanted to do more. She eagerly joined the initiative for reparations, and said she believes  every white Evanston resident should contribute to the fund, because all have benefited from the repression of Black citizens. She embraced Stevenson’s advice to “get uncomfortable, change the narrative and embrace hope.”  Kavin said she is continuing to educate the white community.

Local Reparations Efforts

Anderson stated that “the injuring party can not determine the remedy.” She said the Black community needs to make decisions about the type of reparations that are needed, and white people need to listen. Although Blacks are located throughout the Town, as opposed to in Evanston where there are Black neighborhoods, issues of policing, housing, wealth disparities, local employment, and education exist here as well.

As a former school employee and substitute teacher,  Anderson said that Amherst struggles to retain African American educators, and there have been attacks on a number of those who have worked in the community.  White educators need to be aware of how they are mis-educating students with regard to race, she said. There is internalized racism in the white community, and white people need to educate themselves on their own biases. 

In the past several years, over 350 Amherst residents have participated in dialogues on race. Those of African American descent who wish to join N’COBRA can email Anderson.

Further Information 

Simmons said that Evanston used social media, email, texts, and newsletters to engage the Black community in discussions. Meetings were on weekday evenings and weekends, and feedback encouraged. Now that meetings are virtual, there is even greater participation.  Besides the discussions about reparations, truth and reconciliation talks were led by the YWCA.  Further information about the effort in Evanston is here. 

Miller said that the Amherst Town Council is set to vote on a Resolution Against Structural Racism at its December 7 meeting. The public is encouraged to send letters of support to the Council. A sample letter can be found here. 

Reparations for Amherst has also developed a 10-page report on the racial history of Amherst, which it continues to update. The group plans to sponsor more events in the near future, which will be posted here, and encourages residents to join their efforts. 

A recent opinion piece by Miller and Andrews published in the Daily Hampshire Gazette can be read at this link.  

History of the Reparations Movement

Kamm Howard, National  Male Co-Chair of N’COBRA and author of “Laying the Foundations for Local Reparations” gave a history of Black oppression in the U.S. and spoke about the rationale for reparations. 

At a 2001 United Nations World Conference in Durban, South Africa, the transatlantic slave trade was condemned as a crime against humanity, and a 400-year-long attack on Black people, Howard said. The slave trade involved the kidnapping of Black children and young adults, who suffered rape and  torture, and were dehumanized by being treated as property. After slavery ended, sharecropping continued to rob African-Americans of fair wages for their labor. In Southern states, prior to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Jim Crow laws created barriers to voting, and voter disenfranchisement still exists.  In addition, Black people  today  continue to face over-policing and mass incarceration, Howard said, along with  predatory lending and loss of Black-owned businesses through  gentrification. As a consequence of these and other challenges, Blacks have lower life expectancy, and higher rates of maternal mortality,  suicide attempts, and children in foster care.

Since 1951, charges of Black genocide committed by the U.S. government have been brought to the United Nations several times, Howard said, adding that injustices against the Black community continue, while old crimes are not redressed. In Ferguson, MO., and other cities, Blacks were ticketed and fined at a much higher rate to fund the local government. “There is no justice without reparations.” Howard said. 

Reparation Plans in Evanston

Evanston is similar to Amherst in that it is also a largely white college community, though it is much larger, with a population of about 70,000 people. Simmons was raised in the 5^th ward which qualifies as a “food desert,” and has no community school or library, and the YMCA also closed recently. Even with proposed reforms and educational programs, problems such as major wealth disparities and over-policing remain, Simmons said. The Black population in Evanston was declining, and Simmons said she came to believe reparations were the only way to make things fair. 

The city had a history of supporting reparations dating to 2002, and made a commitment to end structural racism in 2019.

Last year, Evanston formed an Equity Empowerment Commission which continues to meet. Black community members felt heard, and the white community asked what its role would be, Simmons said.  A newly-enacted recreational cannabis tax of 3 percent was  identified as a funding source, along with a new fund to which citizens can contribute. Suggestions for reparations have included property tax reductions, money for home repair, down payment assistance and rental assistance. Economic development could be encouraged by providing a cooperative workspace, workforce training, and low interest loans for Black-owned businesses, Simmons said.

A reparations subcommittee was established, while community meetings also continue. The Reparations Subcommittee submitted a proposal to the City Council for $25,000 assistance for Black homebuyers and homeowners. To be eligible, residents need to have been a resident of Evanston between 1919 and 1969 or a direct descendant.

The Black population of Amherst has declined to six percent from being previously in the teens, Simmons said. She urged Amherst not to stop at reparations, but to aim for “full repair.” She also mentioned that U.S. House bill HR40 deals with reparations at the federal level.

A White Evanston Resident’s Perspective on Reparations

Nina Kavin said she grew up in Johannesburg under apartheid. When she and her husband moved to Evanston, she realized many of the same issues that bothered her as a child in South Africa existed in Evanston as well. Although Kavin interacted with Black people in town, she knew little about them personally.  She had only white neighbors and shopped at white stores. After being inspired by Bryan Stevenson’s book, “Just Mercy”, Kavin joined a Racial Justice Program in Evanston. However, when the program ended, Kavin said she had to take action. In 2015 she organized a bus trip to Stevenson’s Legacy Museum in Montgomery, AL., About 180 Evanston residents of many backgrounds participated.

Though the trip was inspiring, Kavin said she wanted to do more. She eagerly joined the initiative for reparations, and said she believes  every white Evanston resident should contribute to the fund, because all have benefited from the repression of Black citizens. She embraced Stevenson’s advice to “get uncomfortable, change the narrative and embrace hope.”  Kavin said she is continuing to educate the white community.

Local Reparations Efforts

Anderson stated that “the injuring party can not determine the remedy.” She said the Black community needs to make decisions about the type of reparations that are needed, and white people need to listen. Although Blacks are located throughout the Town, as opposed to in Evanston where there are Black neighborhoods, issues of policing, housing, wealth disparities, local employment, and education exist here as well.

As a former school employee and substitute teacher,  Anderson said that Amherst struggles to retain African American educators, and there have been attacks on a number of those who have worked in the community.  White educators need to be aware of how they are miseducating students with regard to race, she said. There is internalized racism in the white community, and white people need to educate themselves on their own biases. 

In the past several years, over 350 Amherst residents have participated in dialogues on race. Those of African American descent who wish to join N’COBRA should email Anderson.

Further Information 

Simmons said that Evanston used social media, email, texts, and newsletters to engage the Black community in discussions. Meetings were on weekday evenings and weekends, and feedback encouraged. Now that meetings are virtual, there is even greater participation.  Bsides the discussions about reparations, truth and reconciliation talks were led by the YWCA.  More information is here. 

Miller said that the Amherst Town Council is set to vote on a Resolution Against Structural Racism at its December 7 meeting. The public is encouraged to send letters of support to the Council. A sample letter can be found here. 

Reparations for Amherst has also developed a 10-page report on the racial history of Amherst, which it continues to update. The group plans to sponsor more events in the near future, which will be posted here, and encourages residents to join their efforts. 

A recent opinion piece by Miller and Andrews published in the Daily Hampshire Gazette can be read at this link.