Reparations
Zacchaeus stood there and said to [Jesus], ‘Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house.’ – Luke 19.8-9a
Reparations means a repairing. So much of the world’s wealth is concentrated in the hands of a fraction of the human population. So much of that wealth can still be traced directly to riches wrought from indigenous genocide and displacement, chattel slavery, and decades of racist, discriminatory government policies and community efforts. The results continue to be catastrophic, compounding hurt and stifling opportunity long after these “original sins” of conquest, dehumanization, and systematic, centuries-long robbery.
The survivors of those most impacted by these grievous injustices over the generations are most adversely affected today by lack of equity. And for those of us who benefit most from these historical wrongs, we carry a large debt – to them. We are called to listen to those in need of amends. We are called to advocate for, invest in, and follow through on seeing reparations made alongside those who stand to benefit. We are called to Join the Movement and fill the JAR of this vital part of God’s economic justice.
And good news! The money is there, if we have the will to make it so.
Upcoming Opportunities or Important Resources Section
Where would the money even come from? Good news! The money is there. Begin to “Imagine Reparation Germination”
Reparations means repairing the breaches caused by the systems we have benefited from and participate in, be they white supremacy, colonialism, or patriarchy. What counts as ‘reparation’ must be determined in conjunction with the wounded party and cannot be treated as charity. Reparations are justice. – Rev. Sekinah Hamlin
For I, the LORD, love justice,
I hate robbery and wrongdoing;
I will faithfully give them their recompense,
And I will make an everlasting covenant with them. – Isaiah 61.8-9
