Courtesy of Jacquelyn Clark
On Saturday, April 6, 2024, at the Fourth District Seniors Resource Center, affectionately known as the George Stevens Center, located in the heart of the fourth district, local seniors embarked on a profound journey towards understanding and engaging with the concept of reparations in California. This event, aptly named “Towards Equity: The Road to Reparations in California,” brought together over 65 attendees, most of whom were esteemed elders over the age of 50, to explore the progress and challenges of reparations within the state.
The event received tremendous support and sponsorship from Rhonda Hunt Phillips and “JB” Thurmond Jr. Other contributors to the success of this event are Calvin Manson (Audio/Video/Photography), Mike Norris and Rochelle Porter (Photography).
The dedicated and committed volunteer staff of the Fourth District Seniors Center provided excellent food preparation and service of the free lunch provided to attendees. Angee Miller provided high quality customer service for the check in process. Debra Portee represented “Elderly Love”, a senior and elderly focused organization.
This endeavor placed a spotlight on the seniors and elders from the Black community and the precious histories they carry. They are the closest living descendants removed from slavery and Jim Crow, so it goes without saying that their perspectives and memories are invaluable and provide exceptional content and context to the reparation’s conversations. It was a testament to the enduring spirit and wisdom of these vital community members in the pursuit of justice and equity.
The event was marked by useful news from Sacramento, offering attendees a closer look at the legislative efforts and the status of reparations in California, underlining the importance of reparations and its impact on the community.
The gathering was imbued with a sense of spirituality and collective memory, beginning with a powerful and soulful opening prayer by Dr. Cassandra Foster, followed by a poignant and dynamic performance of Langston Hughes’s poem “The Negro Mother” by Rosemary W Pope, who serves as the Executive Director of the Fourth District Seniors Resource Center. Yvette Porter Moore empowered and encouraged attendees to trace their ancestry to know who their ancestors are and connect with their roots and relatives. Since reparations will be lineage based, this is an important and vital step on the road to reparations.
An exceptional highlight of the event was the presence of Kamilah Moore, Esq, Chairperson of the California Reparations Task Force, who delivered the keynote address. Moore shared valuable insights and updates on the task force’s work, including the final report and ongoing efforts, stirring enthusiasm, encouragement and hope for the future of reparations legislation. Ms. Moore has extensive involvement and education in reparations on the national and international level. On the day of this writing, April 9, 2024, in the afternoon, Ms. Moore will participate in a CA Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on SB 1403, a bill to create a state agency (The California American Freedman Affairs Agency) to implement, oversee and monitor state laws and policies relating to reparations for African American descendants of slavery in America.
This conversation on equity and reparations is just the beginning. The community is invited to continue this important dialogue at the next event scheduled for April 19, 2024, 10:00 am -12:30 pm at the Valencia Park Malcolm X Library in San Diego. With ongoing education and engagement, the road to reparations in California is paved with hope, resilience, and a collective commitment to justice.
For those interested in attending future conversations or contributing as subject matter experts, please contact Jacquelyn Clark: [email protected], to express your interest and support for this crucial movement. As the community comes together to reflect on and shape the path to reparations, it’s clear that this journey is not just about rectifying past injustices but also about building a more equitable and inclusive future for all Californians.
