Submitted by the City of Evanston
The City of Evanston’s Reparations Committee has announced a significant milestone in its ongoing commitment to address historical injustices for the Black community. To date, the city has disbursed $1,092,924 in reparations funds through the Local Reparations Restorative Housing Program. An additional $439,397 is pending disbursement for mortgage assistance and/or construction and remodeling projects.
The Reparations Committee, in partnership with city staff, has met with 76 out of 140 verified Ancestor reparations recipients. Of those, 17 recipients have requested additional time for benefit selection. The program prioritizes Ancestor recipients for initial reparations fund distribution, emphasizing acknowledgment of past grievances and restorative justice.
About the Local Reparations Restorative Housing Program
The Local Reparations Restorative Housing Program acknowledges historical harm to Black residents from past discriminatory housing policies by the city. It aims to rectify these injustices by striving to promote homeownership preservation, stability and growth for intergenerational equity in the Black community. Applications for the program were open from Sept. 21 to Nov. 5, 2021.
Honoring beneficiaries
To honor reparations beneficiaries, the city is hosting a series of special thank you and acknowledgment dinners. The second dinner is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 25.
Supporting the program
Those interested in sponsoring recipient acknowledgment dinners should email reparations@cityofevanston.org. Those wishing to contribute financially to the Reparations Fund through donations may do so online.
For more information about the city’s Reparations Initiative, visit cityofevanston.org/reparations or call/text 847-448-4311. For convenience, residents may simply dial 311 in Evanston.
I applaud the efforts of this committee for their work, but I also have a question that was never answered during my last visit to the Council Meeting in July. That question is this: 1) When and how soon will the other residents who are verified Ancestoral clients be recognized, 2) What was the process and the committee members who established the selection process, and 3) What has happened to the remaining funds the City received from the government? Let’s be more transparent and supportive of all Evanstonians now and not later!
I am one of the founders of Evanston Rejects Racist Reparations (ER3).
The issue of reparations is a sensitive and complex topic, especially when it pertains to historical injustices such as slavery and systemic racism. The City of Evanston’s reparations program, while commendable in its intent, has faced criticism from Evanston Rejects Racist Reparations (ER3) and other grassroots reparations across America. We are advocating for a more comprehensive lineage-based approach and want the City of Evanston to draw inspiration from the Reparations Task force in California.
The Flawed Nature of the Evanston Reparations Program:
1. Insufficient Repair:
The core purpose of reparations is to address the lasting effects of historical wrongs and provide meaningful redress. However, offering a fixed cash amount of $25,000 to eligible individuals fails to adequately address the deep-rooted harm experienced by Black Evanstonians during the specified timeframe. Its initial focus upon housing with such a paltry sum was especially egregious given the housing market and median incomes of Black Evanstonians. The monetary compensation alone falls short of repairing the generational housing, economic, social, and psychological damage inflicted.
2. Misalignment with International Standards:
The United Nations’ definition of reparations emphasizes the restoration of dignity, acknowledgment of historical injustices, and the pursuit of justice. By narrowly focusing on an insufficient cash-based approach, the Evanston program fails to align with these principles. Instead, it perpetuates a shallow understanding of reparations and undermines the broader goals of rectifying systemic racism.
3. Exclusion of Lineage-Based Approach:
Reparations should extend beyond addressing specific timeframes and encompass the intergenerational impacts of chattel slavery. By restricting eligibility to a particular period (1909 ‐ 1969), the Evanston program overlooks the descendants of those who suffered under slavery, failing to recognize their inherited disadvantages and continued marginalization.
Advocating for a Comprehensive Approach:
1. Holistic Reparations Framework:
The City of Evanston should adopt a comprehensive reparations framework that encompasses various dimensions. This includes acknowledgment, apology, education, adequate economic support, community investment, and initiatives aimed at dismantling systemic racism. This multifaceted approach reflects the complex nature of historical injustices and allows for a more meaningful and lasting impact.
2. Learning from California’s Reparations Task Force:
The Reparations task force in California provides a promising authentic model for Evanston to consider. By engaging a diverse group of experts, community members, and stakeholders, the task force has developed a comprehensive reparations plan that encompasses the concerns and aspirations of all affected parties. This inclusive lineage-based approach ensures that the reparations process is transparent, informed, and accountable.
3. Addressing Intersecting Inequities:
Recognizing that reparations extend beyond financial compensation, it is crucial to address the intersecting inequities faced by Black communities. Investments in education, healthcare, affordable housing, small business support, and criminal justice reform are essential components of a comprehensive reparations plan. By tackling systemic barriers, Evanston can work towards dismantling the ongoing legacy of racism.
Reparations are a vital tool for acknowledging historical injustices and working towards a more equitable future. While the City of Evanston’s efforts in implementing a reparations program are commendable, they cannot be legitimately called reparations. Evanston Rejects Racist Reparations (ER3) will continue to highlight the harms occuring by call the city’s program reparations. The City of Evanston should adopt a comprehensive approach inspired by California’s Reparations task force.
By doing so, Evanston could create a more just and restorative model that addresses the complex and long-lasting impacts of slavery and systemic racism. It is only through such a comprehensive approach that authentic repair can be accomplished.