Community members and experts on restorative justice and reparations discuss healing from the Wilmington massacre and centuries of white supremacist violence. Topics include the impact of segregation, the need for reparations, and the power of love to move forward. They also explore the importance of acknowledging history, addressing systemic inequalities, and finding healing in US history.
Acknowledging the history of the 1898 massacre and facing the truth about its impact is an essential step towards reconciliation and healing.
Calls for reparations have emerged as a response to the 1898 massacre in Wilmington, aiming to address historical injustices and foster healing and unity within the community.
Love, resilience, and unity have been essential tools for Black and brown communities in the face of white supremacy and ongoing racial injustices.
Deep dives
The Legacy of the 1898 Massacre in Wilmington
The 1898 massacre in Wilmington, North Carolina, was a devastating event that shaped the lives and experiences of Black residents for generations. The violence and destruction perpetrated by white supremacists not only caused loss of life, but also resulted in the loss of property, wealth, and political power for the Black community. The lasting impact of this massacre can still be felt today, as the city continues to grapple with the consequences of this dark chapter in its history.
The Importance of Acknowledgement and Reckoning
Acknowledging the history of the 1898 massacre and facing the truth about its impact is an essential step towards reconciliation and healing. It is crucial for the city and its residents to confront the past, understand the depth of the harm inflicted, and acknowledge the ongoing effects of white supremacy. While commemorations and initiatives have been undertaken to shed light on this history, more needs to be done to fully reckon with the damage and work towards reparations and justice.
Efforts for Reparations and Restoration
Calls for reparations have emerged as a response to the 1898 massacre in Wilmington. The idea of reparations, which includes acknowledgement, redress, and closure, aims to address the historical injustices and economic disparities inflicted upon the Black community. Scholars and advocates argue that reparations are not just a matter of compensating individuals, but also a way to rectify systemic inequalities and foster a sense of healing and unity within the community.
The Power of Love, Resilience, and Unity
In the face of white supremacy and ongoing racial injustices, love, resilience, and unity have been essential tools for Black and brown communities. By embracing their history, learning from the achievements and struggles of their ancestors, and supporting one another, these communities have persevered and defied the oppressive forces of racism. While policy changes and structural reforms are necessary, fostering a sense of kindness, understanding, and love can also contribute to the healing and transformation of society.
Moving Forward: Education, Reconciliation, and Hopefulness
To fully address the damage inflicted by white supremacy and racial violence, concerted efforts are needed in education, reconciliation, and hopefulness. This involves incorporating accurate historical narratives in curricula, preserving cultural heritage and memory, promoting dialogue and understanding between different racial and ethnic groups, and working towards a future where justice, equality, and reparations are realized. It is a collective responsibility to dismantle systemic racism and ensure a more inclusive and equitable society for all.
What would it take, and what would it even mean, to heal from a wound like the Wilmington massacre and coup of 1898 — or from centuries of white supremacist violence, disenfranchisement, and theft? An exploration of that question with community members in Wilmington, and experts on restorative justice and reparations.
By Michael A. Betts, II and John Biewen. Interviews with Bertha Boykin Todd, Cedric Harrison, Christopher Everett, Kim Cook, William Sturkey, Inez Campbell-Eason, Sonya Bennetonne-Patrick, Candice Robinson, Paul Jervay,Kieran Haile, Larry Reni Thomas, William “Sandy” Darity, and Michelle Lanier. Story editor: Loretta Williams. Voice actor: Mike Wiley. Music by Kieran Haile, Blue Dot Sessions, Okaya, and Lucas Biewen. Art by Zaire McPhearson. “Echoes of a Coup” is an initiative of America’s Hallowed Ground, a project of the Kenan Institute for Ethics at Duke University.