Reparations – PLATFORM AMENDMENT PROPOSAL
Submitted by National Black Caucus
Contact:
Co-chairs
Darryl! Moch, nubianphoenix1@gmail.com
Philena Farley pifbits@ohiogreens.org
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:
Amendment is proposed to the plank – II. Social Justice A. Civil Rights and Equal Rights (3. Reparations for United States Afrodescendants (i.e., Black Americans, African Americans)
The revised version with the new section breaks effectively separates the concept of reparations from the broader scope of the Black agenda, making it easier to navigate and understand the specific actions proposed
PROPOSAL:
Changes emphasized with (*)
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3. Reparations and a Black Agenda
The development of the United States *was tainted by the displacement of Native Americans and the barbaric* institution of slavery, *built upon* the belief in white supremacy, which we as Greens condemn. In slavery’s aftermath, people of color have borne the brunt of violence and discrimination. The Green Party unequivocally condemns these evils, which continue to be a social problem of paramount significance.
Reparations
a.*The descendants of enslaved Africans, whose ancestors endured centuries of human rights violations*, including the Transatlantic slave trade now recognized by the United Nations as a “crime against humanity”, *have legitimate claims to reparations including monetary compensation.* As our Nation has done in the past with respect to the Choctaw, the Lakota, the Lambuth, and more recently for Japanese Americans and the European Jewish community, reparations are now due to address the debt still owed to descendants of enslaved Africans.
b. We recognize that reparations are a debt (not charity) that *is due from the government, corporations, and institutions that profited from slavery and racial exploitation. We believe in elevating the voices of Black activists and leaders in policy development and decision-making processes within the African American community,* whose right to self-determination and autonomy to chart the path to healing we fully recognize *as part of the Black Agenda.*
Black Agenda
*While the specific elements of full and complete reparations are* still evolving,*the Green Party’s existing platform positions already align with many other aspects of the Black agenda. These alignments focus on environmental justice, economic equity, and community health, to empower Black communities and address systemic inequalities.* We support the following initial steps, *aligning with the Black agenda*:
a. *Establish* a reparations trust fund *financed by recovered* wealth and other profits accumulated from the slave trade. *Funds will be sourced from recovered wealth amassed by slave trade beneficiaries, corporations that profited from racial exploitation, and potential taxes on wealth accumulated through historical systemic disparities. Descendants of enslaved Africans, through their chosen representatives and organizations, will have a central role in shaping the calculation, distribution, and use of the reparations trust fund.*
b. *We recognize that money is the governing factor and that our privately owned debt-based financial system is rooted in the exploitation of people and the planet. It has perpetuated the legacy of colonialism, slavery, and systemic discrimination. To achieve true equity and sustainability, we must fundamentally transform our nation’s current monetary system to a public asset-based system. This will enable our elected representatives to address all the economic injustices, including nurturing Black businesses, closing the racial wealth gap, providing crucial financial resources and support services directly to Black entrepreneurs and cooperatives, empowering us to thrive and contribute to the economic well-being of our communities.* [See Economic Justice and Sustainability / N: Monetary Reform (Greening the Dollar)]
c. *We recognize that full employment and a national minimum wage are essential to achieving both economic justice and environmental sustainability. We support prioritizing green jobs and investment in historically disadvantaged communities, alongside policies like worker cooperatives and a guaranteed minimum income funded by progressive taxation, to finally break the cycle of poverty and end environmental racism.* [See Section G. Labor]
d. Initiate the repeal of the slave clauses *within* the U.S. Constitution. *They contribute to ongoing racial disparities, mass incarceration, and other injustices.*
c. *Work to restore lands stolen from Black communities through various discriminatory practices like the Sharecropping system and land ownership restrictions that continue to impact* Black farmers’ *opportunities and success. We also demand access to safe, secure, and affordable housing – free from discriminatory practices like redlining and forced evictions. We support policies that empower us to plan and preserve our land or neighborhoods, prioritize community needs over large-scale displacement, and invest in culturally sensitive revitalization efforts.*
d. Support the release of all political prisoners held by the USA. *We reject the authority of the U.S. State to imprison Black individuals whose imprisonment stems from their defense of Black people’s democratic and self-determination rights, regardless of the specific location or movement associated with their activities.* [See section H. Criminal Justice]
e. Support existing Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Education and Development Funds.
f. *Take action* to overcome the effects of over 200 years of racial discrimination, *including* ending official support for any remaining symbols of slavery, specifically call for the removal of the Confederate battle flag from all government buildings, *and addressing issues like racial profiling, police brutality, voting rights, and access to language resources.* [See section H. Criminal Justice]
g. We oppose discriminatory English-only pressure groups. We call for a national language policy that would encourage all citizens to be fluent in at least two languages. [See section B Civil Rights and Equal Rights / Pathway to Citizenship.]
h. We strongly support the vigorous enforcement of civil-rights laws, the aggressive prosecution of hate crimes, and the strengthening of legal services for the poor, *including:
a. Black Women: We pledge full partnership with Black women as architects of our liberation, wielding power equally to build a world free from oppression.
b. Self-Defense: Facing violence, the right to defend ourselves is intrinsic. While advocating peaceful solutions, we affirm self-defense as a tool for justice.
c. Voting Rights: Winner-take-all denies true representation. We demand proportional voting systems that amplify Black voices, reflecting our diverse aspirations.* [See Section A. Democracy / Rank Choice Voting]
REFERENCES:
Current language:
https://www.gp.org/social_justice#reparations
Final Amended Version Google Document:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NTeadp6m-Yhtci8mRTF74JEsgPzePOz2xQike5OAfZc/edit?usp=sharing
Markup Document:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xyxy6X2rGqdyvs6IV1c8nTamLciq572jRn9uoYvoxA0/edit?usp=sharing