The Social Justice Institute and the American Constitution Society Case Western Reserve University Student Chapter will sponsor a discussion titled “Reparations, or Another Attempt at Reconstruction” with Taru Taylor (LAW ‘18) on Constitution Day, Sept. 17, from 1 to 2 p.m. in Mather House, Room 100.
Earlier this summer, on June 19, Congress held hearings on the concept of reparations for Black Americans. June 19 was a symbolic day for the hearings because it’s known as Juneteenth, or the day in 1865 when the abolition of slavery was finally announced in Texas. On Constitution Day, Taylor will discuss how reparations could validate, for Black American descendants of slaves, the social contract that was “ordained and established” by We the People. The Constitution denoted slave codes until the Civil War. Reconstruction failed, partly due to the government’s breach of its promised “40 acres and a mule.” And so, despite the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, Taylor notes that the Constitution denotes Black Codes to this day. Taylor’s talk will emphasize reparations as a means of “restitution,” of making Black people whole and thus completing Reconstruction.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a lunch; drinks and dessert will be provided.
RSVP to socialjustice@case.edu.
See the Social Justice Institute’s schedule of upcoming events.