Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 16 August 2002 — Page 2

THE INPtANAPOUS RECORDER

FRIDAY, AUGUST 16,2002

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Reparation movement picks up steam

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the National Coalition of in America will meet,!!

Saturday at Oscar Charleston

it ^ drive and informational with the Million Reparations n D C. also on the same

information, call 923*3452 \

wrong slavery was.” “Two. from a legal standpoint, there are some chal lenges and questions that have to be sorted through.” Those legal questions range from who has standing to sue to whom does one sue. said Bohannon. “It has been difficult to go after the government, so many now have sought to take fhe issue up with several American corporations,” he

said.

A movement without

consensus

Another barrier in the reparation movement has a great deal to do with the level of African-Ameri-can support and understanding of the initiative, said Bohannon. “The NAACP has endorsed the notion that the case for reparations should be looked into and has started working with N‘COBRA officials, but I have not been in-

whole be better off for it?’ “What will it cost and who will

pay for it.”

Although Sam Jones, president and CEO of the Indianapolis Urban League, thinks the idea is noble he agrees with Harden. “Although the National Urban League has not publicly come out with a position on the subject, I do have some reservations as to for whom, how and where something like this can be distributed,” he

said.

Other black leaders feel there is another way to address the historical problems of racism and discrimination many blacks have ex-

perienced.

“I oppose the idea [of repara-

formed on Ihe progress of,he na- 'ions|beeauseyoucan’,p U .aprice tional board's working relationship onbneakmgupafamdy, sa,dc,vic

The area chapter leader Isaac Randolph, former exof the National Coa- ecutive directorof the Indianapolis

lition of 100 Black Ten Point Coalition.

Women has not yet Randolph said a plan for reparalocally discussed tions may jeopardize a few of the the pros and cons of victories made through the Civil reparations, accord- Rights Movement such as afflrmaing to Mary Harden, tive action and other equal emchapter president, ployment and housing programs. "With the in- Randolph further questions the creasing interest in ability for the movement to assist the subject, we will those Blacks most politically and

probably include dialogue on the economically disenfranchised in

issue in the near future,” she said. America.

“But forme, [personally], the ques-

tions that need to be answered are Seeing what the end will be ‘What outcome do we want to Local N’COBRA chaptermemachieve?’ ‘Who will benefit and bers Ron Hill and Abu Henderson will our people and our nation as a said they know the key to gamer-

ing support for the reparations movement will require that African Americans are informed about how such a plan will benefit the community. “We know there needs to be more attention on the subject for people to care,” said Henderson. “But we also think that people can ’ t be scared to stand up and be

counted.”

The men are working to clear up misperceptions about their cause. “This movement is about more than just trying to get the American government or corporate America to write checks out to everybody black,” said Henderson. “We are trying to build an infrastructure that will lead to greater self-suffi-ciency and to make right a political

wrong.”

with N’COBRA." he said. Attempts to reach the national NAACP board were unsuccessful. “But the fact of the matter is that Black leadership, by and large, has not been able to fully come to consensus on the issue,” said Bohannon who personally agrees

with the effort.

Bohannon noted that the local NAACP’s Youth Council invited U.S. Rep. Conyers to the city a

Slavery’s big According to USA Today, (floss action I country list about 17 U.S. corporations through ownership, renting or insuring slaves, i ways from the enslavement of Mack people. Companies include: Onnnen New FleetBoston Financial Group

couple of years ago to ta'k about ^

his bill.

“We have attempted ttr put the i issue on the tdMe*, bpt it has not been a priority for us or Black leaders as a whole." he said.

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in the Cook Off, fill out the entry form and return it to the Indianapolis Recorder at a™, m 462, S, Attn: IMa

m tour Hum Augua 19,2002.

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This community event will be held on the grounds of the Indianapolis Recorder AU proceeds will benefit the Indianapolis Recorder Charities.

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