Update: Say The Word: Reparations

SJM made our presence known, once again joining with allies to keep the issue of a reparations task force on the front burner during this lame duck session. SJM members — we will keep you informed of progress of the proposed legislation. We will need advocacy and representation from you! Read nj.com coverage

What its about:

S322/A711

Bill S322/A711, establishing the New Jersey Reparations Task Force, requires the Task Force to:

(1) examine the institution of slavery within the State of New Jersey;

(2) examine the extent to which the State of New Jersey and the federal government prevented, opposed, or restricted efforts of former enslaved persons and their descendants who are considered United States’ citizens to economically thrive upon the ending of slavery;

(3) examine the lingering negative effects of slavery on living African-Americans and on society in New Jersey and the United States;

(4) research methods and materials for facilitating education, community dialogue, symbolic acknowledgement, and other formal actions leading toward transformation, reparations remedies, a sense of justice, and economic justice among the descendants of enslaved African people in this State;

(5) make recommendations for what remedies should be awarded, through what instrumentalities, and to whom those remedies should be awarded;