At the Annual Meeting of University Church in December 2000, the congregation voted to send resolutions to the UCC and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) on Reparations. To become better informed on Reparations, an adult church school class was held using Randall Robinsons' The Debt as a Resource. As the discussion continued in a Church School Class, David Horowitz placed his ads. The class decided to respond with a paid ad. As far as we know, we are the only people who have responded to Horowitz with a paid ad.

MEMBERS OF UNIVERSITY CHURCH SUPPORT NEED FOR REPARATIONS

The Center for the Study of Popular Culture and David Horowitz placed an advertisement in the February 9, 2001 issue of THE CHICAGO MAROON and the March 8.2001,issue of THE CHICAGO WEEKLY NEWS. Mr. Horowitz listed TEN REASONS WHY REPARATIONS FOR SLAVERY IS A BAD IDEA.

We, members and friends of University Church, disagree with the assumptions and the reasoning of this ad. Racism led to the slave trade. Racism continues in this country as a direct result of the slave trade and the rationale used to defend it. Africans were stolen from their countries. According to an UNESCO study published in 1979 by two scholars of the African slave trade, a total of 15.4 million Africans were brought from Africa in chains to the Americas. This figure does not include the horrific numbers of Africans who perished during the Atlantic voyage.

This country was built in part on the backs of slaves. The social, political, theological and economic structures of society made this possible. The plantation system of the antebellum south prospered because of slave labor. Participation in the political process was denied Blacks: they were not allowed to vote, own property or run for office. Puritan Theology was used by Christians to prove black inferiority and justify their degraded place in society as "God's will."

Contrary to what Horowitz wrote, the negative effects of slavery continue today. We, therefore, invite you to participate with us in efforts to repair damages caused by slavery.

REPARATIONS is defined as a payment for an injury or redress for a wrong done; an act of making good for any loss, damage or injury. Proposals for compensation for enslavement of African Americans in the United States have included offers of money, education, training for employment, service to victims, and official apologies by national leaders to descendents of U.S. slaves. . (Congressional Research Service - December 1, 2000)

1. THE ENSLAVEMENT OF AFRICANS IS A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY -

Enslavement was carried on by slave traders with ruthless lack of conscience and supported by an economic system that treated African people as commodities to be bought and sold. The invasion of African territories, the mass capture of Africans, and the chattelization of Africans in the Americas constitute crimes against humanity. Millions of the estimated 20 million young people kidnapped and brought in chains across the Atlantic died in transition. Four million survived the horror of the middle passage to be sold into slavery on plantations.

The mass killing and enslaving of Africans was an evil activity. International law has defined such activity as a crime against humanity. A clear description is found in the Charter of the Nuremberg Tribunal, which articulates crimes against humanity: "Murders, extermination, enslavement, deportation, and other inhumane acts committed against any civilian population."

2. ECONOMIC PARTICIPATION WAS STOLEN FROM AFRICANS AND AFRICAN AMERICANS

This country has never addressed economic injuries to descendents of slavery. Enslavement denied Blacks the economic fruits of their 250 years of strenuous labor. Blacks could not make and enforce contracts. Property rights of use, ownership, or management should have followed from their market participation in the labor force, but such rights were systematically denied by the state. The slave-holding states did not confer legal status on Black families.

Wealth is transferred in large measure through family inheritance. Black slaves were excluded from this inter-generational wealth transfer. . From the rewards of the public market to the intimate sphere of the family, Black economic relationships were systematically and often brutally suppressed. The law excluded Blacks from markets in a society in which market participation was emerging as vital to personal, political, and social well being

Furthermore, political and economic realities are closely intertwined. The denial of such rights as property, contract, and inheritance, led to the denial of political rights such as voting, jury service and choosing where to live.

3. A PEOPLE'S HISTORY AND IDENTITY HAS BEEN STOLEN -

Descendants of slavery exist with a rootless history. All ties with their families and nations of origin have been systematically suppressed. Language, customs, traditions, rituals, religion, mores, taboos - all vital for self-understanding - have been lost or destroyed. People's names were changed to reflect their status as slaves. They were prohibited from practicing religious or family customs, and denied education. The identity and well being of all of us depends on our nourishment by values and meanings linked to our past. Blacks' identity was taken away. Literacy was denied. Slave holding states employed a variety of brutal mechanisms to suppress cultural and political self-determination.

Blacks were treated as inferior even after slavery as such was ended. Most immigrants into the United States become integrated into society in a generation or less. The lingering racist history of the United States makes integration extremely difficult for Blacks and other People of Color. This country has never officially addressed the mental and cultural injuries against Blacks; nor have we addressed the violence of rape and sexual coercion. Blacks were scarred and maimed by slavery.

4. THEFT AND VIOLENCE AGAINST THE DESCENDANTS OF SLAVES CONTINUES TODAY

Racism was both a cause and a legacy of slavery. Racism continues to abuse People of Color and especially young Black men. This abuse is legitimized through the criminal justice system. An outrageous number of young Black men are in prisons and a disproportionate percentage of Blacks are on death row. Profiling leads to the arrest of young Black men when no crimes are committed and poverty accelerates convictions.

87% of the accumulated wealth in the US is in the hands of White citizens. Much of it is wealth built up during slavery. It is passed from family to family thereby excluding most Blacks from economic opportunities. A disproportionate number of Blacks are at the bottom of our economic system. Continuing racism means that the situation will not be easily changed.

WE THEREFORE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US IN EFFORTS TO REPAIR DAMAGES (REPARATIONS) CAUSED BY SLAVERY.

The brutality of slavery has left gaping wounds that need to be healed in individuals of all races and in our nation. Healing repairs what has been torn, restores those who have been disenfranchised, redresses the wrongs that have been done and helps create wholeness for individuals and reconciliation in this country.

The following is only the beginning of a whole series of actions that need to be considered:.

1. Insist on a national apology for kidnapping, exporting and enslaving people of African descent. This apology needs to be made on behalf o f the people of the United States to people of African descent by the President of the United States and Congressional leaders from both political parties.
2. Support Congressional legislation that deals with Reparations. Representative John Conyers, Jr. of Michigan introduced HR 40 on January 1, 2001. Let your Representatives know that you want them to co-sponsor this Resolution and get it out of Committee.
3. Encourage churches, synagogues and mosques to examine their theologies and explore how these theologies may contribute to the racism dominating our society.
4. Learn about the brutality and history of slavery. Insist that textbooks reflect the reality of this part of the history of the United States.

Because we are a multi-racial congregation, we find that White people and Black people have both similar and different processes to move through. We believe spaces need to be created where this work can be done. Black people need to be clear about how the history and brutality of slavery is still alive in society today and we encourage them to speak out boldly about the oppressive power of racism in this nation.

We encourage White people to examine the effects of slavery on their lives. Whites need to learn about White power and how they participate in and support institutionalized racism. They need to listen to Blacks and other People of Color and support efforts to change as individuals and as a nation.

If you share our belief that Reparations for Slavery is a spiritual and a social and an economic problem that requires individuals and this nation to change, call us or return this coupon, and join with us in conversation and suggested actions.

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