Please join us for a very important state-wide study on adopting a League position on Reparations for Black Americans.

At the 2023 League of Women Voters (LWV) of Massachusetts Council, the LWV Amherst proposed a study of reparations to determine whether the LWVMA should adopt, by consensus, a position on reparations. Delegates voted by a wide margin to form a study committee. LWVMA is encouraging us all to review the Reparations Study Report (October 2024) and to conduct a local league consensus process for the LWVMA Study on Reparations for Black Americans.

The proposal was set against a background of a number of recent and on-going reparations efforts, including but not limited to:

• The town of Amherst, MA, created a reparation fund, and assigned creating a plan to its African Heritage Reparations Assembly (AHRA).
• Other Massachusetts cities such as Boston and Northampton are considering studies of reparation.
• A bill proposing a commission to study reparations had been filed in the Massachusetts Senate (currently SD2393) as had a bill creating reparations for the descendants of American slavery. (SD2019).
• HR40 has been introduced at every Congressional session since 1989; in April 2021 it was for the first time moved to the House floor for full consideration, but did not receive a vote. It was reintroduced in January 2023.

The Study Committee undertook to answer the following questions:

1. Why are reparations needed? In its research the committee soon realized that it had to consider not only the horrors of enslavement, but also what has happened since emancipation: the Jim Crow era, and the ongoing racial discrimination which has led repeatedly to failed programs and policies. It has been necessary also to consider the perspective that reparations are not needed. Both arguments are presented in the Study Report.
2. Who should receive reparations? In the course of its research, the Committee realized that the question might not simply be: should reparations be deserved by the descendants of the Africans enslaved in the United States from 1619 to the abolishment of slavery? Arguments also exist that they might be deserved by all Black/African Americans. Both points of view are presented.
3. What reparations should be provided? A broad range of reparations has been studied, and is presented.
4. How should reparations be provided? Federal, state, and local governments, business enterprises, faith-based organizations, and academic institutions are all considered.

LVMA Study Documents:

• Study Guide with consensus questions, background, and arguments in favor and against 
• Study Report addressing the four questions: Why, Who, What, and How 

If you are interesetd in joining us, our LWVW Executive Board has formed a committee to review all these materials and guide our League through this LWV Consensus Process.

Please lwvwellesley2 [at] gmail.com (email )our President, Bonny Nothern, if you'd like to join in this study or for more information. We are currently setting our calendar of meetings now. These will be posted on this website.

All are welcome!