Friend –

Congress reconvened this week for its final session before the year ends. Because of this short window, I want to tell you about the importance of H.R. 40, which is critical toward addressing the fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity of the institution of slavery in the colonies and the United States – and why we must urge our representatives to support this bill right now.

Over the course of 2020, our country has gone through what many are calling a national reckoning on race. This was sparked by the tragic but all-too-familiar killings of Black lives – George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and countless others – at the hands of police.

However, America will never achieve racial justice if we do not examine the impact of slavery and its legacy, and make strides toward reparations – and H.R. 40 is a path forward on that.

H.R. 40 would set up a commission to examine the institution of slavery and its legacy and make recommendations for reparations to Congress, and now, there is a chance it could go to markup before the House adjourns this year.

But here's the situation: There are likely only about two weeks for movement to happen around this, and we need to put as much pressure on lawmakers as possible. Please, send a message to your representative to support H.R. 40 now.

ACLU Supporter, during slavery, which was constitutionally and statutorily sanctioned by the United States government, Black people were forced to labor for the enrichment of America. After slavery, the emancipated suffered violent repression and exploitation under Jim Crow laws and black codes in the South and de facto segregation across the nation.

The vile policies of enslavement and its violent unjust aftermath, codified in American culture and the Constitution, shifted to take on new viable forms of injustice and drivers of oppression.

Reparations are not a symbolic act to these atrocities. They are a real and necessary demand for justice that has support and momentum. They are about respect, reconciliation, and propelling us toward a more just future – and we cannot wait any longer.

Make sure Congress hears us on this loud and clear: Urge your representative to support H.R. 40 now.

Thanks for taking action,

Jennifer Bellamy
Pronouns: She, her, hers
ACLU Senior Legislative Counsel, fighting for racial justice