LWVMA Reparations Study for Black Americans

At the 2023 League of Women Voters of Massachusetts (LWVMA) Convention, 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.

Background for the proposal

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 Questions asked by the Study Committee

The Study Committee undertook to answer the following questions:

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.
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.
What reparations should be provided? A broad range of reparations has been studied, and is presented.
How should reparations be provided? Federal, state, and local governments, business enterprises, faith-based organizations, and academic institutions are all considered.

LWVMA Study Documents

Additional Information:

Additional resources list including links to readings, talks, and other materials.

Consensus Meeting Documents

Consensus Meetings Overview: Zoom recording and presentation slides
Handbook for Successful Consensus Meetings
Powerpoint Presentation for Consensus Meetings

What Should Local Leagues, Units and Members at Large Do?

As you plan your calendar, include at least one time for a consensus meeting. Some Leagues may want to schedule two, one in the daytime and one in the evening. It is up to the local League to determine the best format. Consensus meetings should be held between December 1, 2024 and February 23, 2025. The local board must approve the consensus report, so be sure to leave time to complete this step.

Submit your League’s Consensus Report to LWVMA

Consensus Reports were due to the LWVMA by March 7, 2025. Thank you for your reports.

How can my League or Unit get help?

Watch the webinar on Youtube

Download the presentation from the webinar

Download Powerpoint Presentation for Consensus Meetings

FAQ on Consensus Questions

Contact reparations@lwvma.org with questions, requests for assistance, etc.

Study Timeline

June 10, 2023	LWVMA Convention approves the study
September, 2023	LWVMA Board approves the study committee
June 26, 2024	Study committee presents consensus questions to the LWVMA board for discussion
August 30 2024	Study committee posts study materials on the LWVMA website
August- Nov 2024	Local Leagues form Study committees
Fall 2024	Final Study Guide and Consensus Questions available to Local Leagues
Dec. 1, 2024 – February 23, 2025	Local Leagues hold consensus meetings
March 7, 2025	Deadline for consensus reports to be submitted
Spring 2025	Draft position is circulated to the LWVMA membership. Adoption is contingent on a vote by the 2025 LWVMA Convention delegation.

Study scope

The scope of the study is to review the evidence for and against taking a position in support of Reparations for Black Americans (or for a more limited group, the descendants of enslaved African Americans). If local Leagues and subsequently Convention decide to support such reparations, local Leagues will be able to advocate for reparative activities in their localities, while the State League will be able to advocate statewide for legislative and other action in support of such reparations.

Reparations Study Committee Events & Google Group

“The Case for Reparations” Group Discussions

As part of the study process, the Reparations Study Committee offered a series of group discussions on Zoom throughout the fall of 2024, facilitated by Debra Dagwan and Jeffrey Gold, centered on Ta-Nehisi Coates’ foundational essay, “The Case for Reparations.” Click here to download the essay. Please note, we are not licensed to print this essay and it should only be viewed electronically. Click here to download the guiding discussion questions.

Overview of Study for Black Americans with Live Q & A session

A live Q & A session was held on November 14th on zoom. This was an opportunity to learn about how to conduct a local league consensus process for the LWVMA Study on Reparations for Black Americans. We began by showing the 20 minute recorded webinar, “Overview of Study on Reparations for Black Americans.” This was followed by an extended period for live Q & A with members of the LWVMA Reparations Study Committee. Click here to watch the recording.

New Discussion Google Group:
The study committee is offering LWVMA Members an opportunity to exchange information relevant to the LWVMA Study on Reparations for Black Americans in a monitored, group email format. If you are interested in joining this new google group, please send the email address that you want to use, your name, and league affiliation to shepard.patty@gmail.com. Please continue to address any comments or questions about the Study on Reparations for Black Americans, directly to: reparations@lwvma.org. Thanks.

Local League Consesus Meetings Calendar

Members-at-large are welcome to attend any of the local League Consensus meetings listed below. Local League members can also attend another League’s meeting. Please email reparations@lwvma.org to register.

LWV Williamstown	1/23	2:00 PM	Sweetwood (1611 Cold Spring Road, Williamstown, MA)\
LWV Falmouth	1/23	2:00 PM	Falmouth Public Library
LWV Wellesley	1/23	1-3PM	Warren Recreation Center, Room 008
LWV Winchester	1/25	11:00 AM	Winchester Unitarian Society
LWV Acton Area	1/27	7-8PM	Zoom
LWV Cape Cod Area	2/3	TBD	TBD
LWV Concord-Carlisle	2/4	7-9PM	Zoom
LWV Cape Cod Area	2/5	TBD	TBD
LWV Wellesley	2/6	1-3PM	Warren Recreation Center, Room 008
LWV Concord-Carlisle	2/6	11AM-1PM	Zoom/in person at Concord Free Public Library
LWV Marblehead	2/8	2:30 PM	Abbot Public Library
LWV Arlington	2/9	2-4PM	Zoom
LWV Franklin County	2/12	5:30 PM	Greenfield Public Library
LWV Needham	2/13	6:30-8:30PM	Board Room at North Hill
LWV Newton	3/2	3-5PM	Durant-Kenrick House & Grounds at 286 Waverley Avenue, Newton, MA 02458
LWV Salem	2/8	10:30AM-12PM	Salem High School Library
LWV Lexington	2/11	7:00PM	Police Headquarters Meeting Room
LWV Sudbury	2/16	2-5PM	Sudbury Police Building

Study Committee

Co-Chairs:
Jeanne Morrison, LWVMA and LWV Cape Cod Area
Susan Millinger, LWV Amherst

Committee members:
Michelle Chalmers, LWV Wellesley
Debra Dagwan, LWV Cape Cod Area
Jeffrey Gold, LWV Amherst
Meghan Hanawalt, LWV Falmouth
Melinda Murphy, LWV Northampton Area
Shana Penna, LWV Brookline
Marcie Sclove, LWV Amherst
Patty Shepard, LWV Winchester
Christy Torres, LWV Northampton Area
Mary Hunter Utt, LWV Cape Cod Area

To contact the study committee email reparations@lwvma.org