On Juneteenth Take a Moment to Consider Reparations

[Karen Hilfman]

Dear Family, Friends, Comrades and Neighbors,

I’m excited, on this Juneteenth, to introduce you to the Fund For Reparations Now! I’ve been involved with FFRN! since our launch last December and invite you to learn more about us. Please feel free to ask me any questions you might have.

Today we celebrate Juneteenth - the holiday acknowledging and honoring the date on which the full emancipation from slavery held true in every corner of the United States. This holiday holds more weight this year than most. The waves of protest and activism ignited by the murders of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and George Floyd are a reminder that the racism and the ongoing, systematic, and institutional oppression of Black Americans did not end with the abolition of American enslavement.

The initial burst of energy and enthusiasm is a harbinger of hope,  but to create lasting change and healing requires deliberate action. And what better day to embrace the practice of anti-racism than today. 

In honor of Juneteenth, the Fund for Reparations NOW! (FFRN!) asks you to put words into practice. To help with this, our website outlines the three steps our fellow white allies can take:

1. “Own Up" - Atone for our community's past by signing the Statement of Apology.

2. “Pay In” - Make your reparations contribution to bring NAARC's 10-Point Plan to life and pursue formal reparations.

3. “Do Better” - Explore our library of resources to join us in a lifelong antiracist journey.

The Fund for Reparations NOW! (FFRN!) is the non-profit white ally arm supporting the National African American Reparations Commission (NAARC). FFRN! was created for the immediate implementation of NAARC's 10-Point Reparations Plan, and for ongoing advocacy for HR 40 toward formal reparations for African Americans from the federal government.

 

We want to invite you to join us in this important work by activating your network and helping create change now. Please help us spread the word about the Fund to your networks on social media. After participating in any or all of the three steps above, please invite your friends to do the same by sharing the attached graphic and tagging @ReparationsFund on these platforms:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter

We are grateful for the work you do toward envisioning and creating a more just  and anti-racist world. We hope that your celebration of Juneteenth both reverently acknowledges the hardships for Black Americans, past and present, and celebrates the joy and accomplishment of the Black community. 

HAPPY JUNETEENTH!

In solidarity and action,

-Karen Hilfman

FFRN! Board Member

P.s. Also see the attached flyer to join NAARC for a special forum on "

Juneteenth, COVID 19 and the Killings of Black People: Advancing the Demand for Reparations and HR-40. We hope tosee you TONIGHT at 7PM EST!