Over three decades ago, Japanese Americans achieved an apology and monetary reparations for those who were incarcerated during World War II. While it could never heal the trauma that it incurred, it was a start to acknowledging the egregious wrong that had been done and atoning for the sins of our country.
Now, over 150 years since the end of the Civil War, Black Americans have yet to receive any reparations for the sin of slavery that we imposed upon them. That oppression did not end with the abolition of slavery though. To replace slavery, we have followed with the policies of the Jim Crow era, to mass incarceration, and now we see the extent of police brutality. When will these inequities be addressed?
H.R. 40 would establish a commission to examine the institution of slavery, its legacy, and make recommendations to Congress for reparations, beginning a process of repairing and restoring after centuries of systematic oppression. It was through the formation of a similar commission, that Japanese Americans achieved our reparations, it is time to create a commission to shed a light on the centuries of oppression of the African American community in this country.
Join us in committing, as Japanese Americans, to promote the passage of H.R. 40 and other legislation to address the inequities faced by Black Americans in our society.
