Img source: www.wcvb.com
May 18, 2024 Story by: Editor
A Boston grassroots organization convened a public gathering in Roxbury to delve into the pressing issue of reparations for Black Americans within the city.
The Boston People’s Reparations Commission orchestrated the event at the Bolling Building in Nubian Square, drawing around 200 attendees from the African American community. During the meeting, participants shared their perspectives on what reparations encompass beyond just financial compensation.
“Reparations is cash. It’s land. It’s education. It’s these other functions that are included. It’s not just money,” remarked Boston resident Nick Johnson, echoing sentiments shared by many present.
Former Boston City Council member Charles Yancey reflected on the historical promises made to enslaved individuals post-Civil War, emphasizing the persistent lack of fulfillment. “That has yet to happen,” Yancey stated, advocating for Boston to lead by example in rectifying this historical injustice.
Rev. Kevin Peterson, leading the BPRC, disclosed ongoing discussions with leaders of white churches in Boston regarding a proposed $50 million investment in the Black community. However, this falls short of the $15 billion sought by the commission to address the city’s complicity in slavery. Source: WCVB
“Fifteen billion (dollars), which is not enough. Every life is incalculable. We think about tens of thousands of slaves who died in the midst of slavery in Boston. How do you put a number on that?” Peterson questioned, highlighting the enormity of the suffering endured by enslaved individuals while their white counterparts prospered.
Mayor Michelle Wu’s establishment of the Boston Reparations Task Force in January underscores the city’s commitment to acknowledging and addressing its historical ties to slavery and the transatlantic slave trade.
