Friends,

We need Reparations, now!!

It should come as no surprise to you that this nation is in turmoil.

The murders of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and George

Floyd by white supremacy and its institutions in America

have sparked just uprisings all over the country. We have

arrived at a point in history where racism against Black people is

unignorable, and both individuals and institutions are being held

accountable for their racist legacies. This is the moment in

history we have been waiting for: even our most vigilant

figures in human rights history, like Dr. Angela Davis, are

excited to see what comes from this complex moment. 

The demands of marginalized communities are being heard and

the stakes are higher than ever. Social changes that were once

dismissed as radical, like defunding the police and abolishing

carceral institutions are being examined by those who were

once staunchly invested in “incremental change” and those who

have been complacent on this issue. Federal Reparations for

Black and indigenous communities is not a new idea. It’s

time for all of us to get on board together. 

At Shaniyat 2020 we are radically invested in real, meaningful,

systemic change for ourselves and all of our neighbors. The

policies we want to send to the United States Congress are

inclusive, bold, and require strong leadership and a strong

advocate. We need an advocate who will not stick their neck

out when it is only politically convenient and comfortable.   

On the matter of reparations, Gregory Meeks has been

complacent. He says that it needs more research in order to be

advocated for. Only last year did he and other House

Democrats join a committee to address this. We say, why not

research it yourself? Why not be as vocal as possible? We

need to get this important work done right now! 

To ignore that Black people in this nation have suffered under a

white supremacist system since slavery, and are owed systemic

reparations, is to say that its okay to repeatedly committ

abuse and get away without apologizing and changing. To

ignore that the United States stole indigenous land and breaks

treaties with Native American communities every day is to say

that it's okay to steal, and never to replace what you stole. And

to top that off, continually subjecting both communities to violent

second-class citizenship during a global pandemic is criminal

and evil. 

On Shan’s first day in Congress, we will work hard to pass

policy on Federal Reparations. Our plan includes establishing

a formal Truth and Reconciliation Commission to unearth the

United States’ countless wrongdoings against African Americans

and allocates resources to repair the damage done. We will also

be vigilant about protecting Black businesses, funding

Historically Black Colleges and Universities, community owned

banks, and other Black institutions. 

Lets be clear: the deadly cost of white supremacy that Black

people, indigenous people, and other people of color in this

nation have suffered is impossible to fully pay back. But, we

believe it is necessary to have one more advocate who will try to

push the needle forward for justice. 

Join the fight for Reparations! Please donate today to

secure a voice in congress for reparations now:

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We are 11 days away. We need all the support we can get.

Change happens when we elect better representatives.

Contribute today!

  Not me. Us!
 

In Solidarity,

Shaniyat Chowdhury