Reparations Study for Black Americans

Reparations Study for Black Americans

Sign Up to Participate in Study of Possible Reparations for Black Americans.

LWVCC participates in the study of possible reparations for Black Americans. The project is led by the League of Women Voters Massachusetts (LWVMA) and is supported by local study and consensus committees. LWVCC’s committee is led by Nancy Brown and Anne Rarich. The LWVCC Reparations Study Committee offers several opportunities to learn more about this important topic, and League members are invited to join group discussions and the Reparations Study Committee.

Group Discussions

The LWVCC Reparations Study Committee is offering several group discussions on Zoom in November and December of 2024, facilitated by Anne Rarich and Nancy Brown and centered on Ta-Nehisi Coates’ foundational essay, “The Case for Reparations.” The group discussions offer the opportunity for League members of Concord and Carlisle to familiarize themselves with the concept of reparations as a path to restorative justice and explore an American history not typically addressed in traditional education. Discussion groups will be limited to 15 participants. Every group discussion is a “one and done” experience and asks participants to be respectful and practice reflective listening.

Register for one of these events: 

  • November 12, 2024, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m - Register
  • November 15, 2024, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. - Register
  • December 2, 2024, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. - Register
  • December 9, 2024, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. - Register

Join the Committee

The LWVCC Reparations Study Committee is looking for participants. You can sign up for the committee by emailing Nancy Brown and Anne Rarich at dei [at] lwvcc.org. Participation in the study committee is open to all LWVCC members.

About the Study

In order to develop an official position on the questions of reparations for Black Americans, the League of Women Voters Massachusetts (LWVMA) approved the study of reparations for black Americans in 2023 and formed a study committee that researched the topic and developed a study report and consensus questions. LWVMA is asking local Leagues to weigh in on this question by forming local study committees and holding consensus meetings. The LWVCC Board has approved establishing a local study committee beginning of October 2024.

The LWVCC Reparations Study Committee is led by League members Nancy Brown and Anne Rarich and will offer group discussions to all members in November and December 2024. The committee plans to hold consensus meetings in January 2025 (dates to be determined). After those meetings are held and, assuming consensus is reached, LWVCC will send its results to the LWVMA Reparations Study Committee. The LWVMA Board of Directors will determine if there is consensus among the various local leagues that participated in the study, and a report will be prepared for presentation and approval by the LWVMA Board of Directors. This will take place in February/March 2025. If a position statement is approved by the LWVMA Board of Directors, attendees at the LWVMA Convention will vote on whether to adopt it.

LWVMA has prepared a study guide and report and provides additional resources for local Leagues. The information is available on the LWVMA website.

Visit LWVMA's Reparations Study Website

If you are interested in getting involved or just considering it, please

  • Register for one of the above-listed group discussion dates 
  • Familiarize yourself with Ta-Nehisi Coates’ essay “The Case for Reparations.”
  • If you are ready, sign up for the LWVCC Reparations Study Committee by emailing dei [at] lwvcc.org
  • Plan on attending the consensus meeting in January (dates and venue will be posted in December). 

For more information, contact Nancy Brown or Anne Rarich at dei [at] lwvcc.org.