“An Act Establishing a Commission to Study Reparations in Massachusetts” (S.1181/H.1753)
The central purpose of “An Act Establishing a Commission to Study Reparations in Massachusetts” (S.1181/H.1753) is to establish a reparations commission to bring to light the history and impacts of slavery and its aftermath of systemic racism within Massachusetts, and propose appropriate programs for reparations at the state level.
While often the first thing that comes to mind related to reparations is financial compensation, S.1181/H.1753 emphasize that other forms of repair are just as important as material reparations. The commission would work with the state to issue a formal apology for crimes against humanity, address how current laws and policies (such as the war on drugs and mass incarceration) disproportionately harm Black people, and propose changes to prevent future harm.
This week, ECM encourages our faith community to reach out to their representatives in support of this bill. Sample email (or phone script) below - we encourage you to use your own words and stories too! Learn more here.
My name is [FIRST AND LAST NAME], and I have lived in [MA city/town] for X years.
I am writing in support of S.1181/H.1753 which would create a commission to study reparations for slavery and make proposals for the state of Massachusetts. Please join as a co-sponsor and work to move this legislation forward.
Many people don’t know that Massachusetts was the first colony to legalize slavery in 1641, and that slavery was legal here for 140 years. Additionally, much of the wealth that built MA into the place it is today was originally generated from ownership of Caribbean slave plantations which went on for decades after the Commonwealth made slavery illegal.
The proposed Commission would be responsible for examining the historical context of slavery, segregation, and systemic racism in Massachusetts. It would assess the present-day impacts of these injustices, documenting the economic, educational and social disparities experienced by residents of African descent.
Through a rigorous process of research, collecting data and subsequent analysis, the Commission would provide recommendations and potential solutions to help rectify these historical wrongs.
We are all well aware of the persistent racial wealth gap that exists in Massachusetts and in order to address these historical and current disparities it is essential to embed a racial equity lens into the policies, practices and decision making-processes of our state’s governing body. The creation of a Commission to Study Reparations offers the Commonwealth this opportunity.
Sincerely,
[Name and full address]
If you are not sure who your legislators are, use this link to find out.