Making Reparations

Session Objective: to redistribute resources and reshape norms through policies that take responsibility for past harms

Consider: reparations, one of the most tangible ways to redress environmental racism and systemic injustice. The articles below discuss examples of reparations around the world, and call for further programs.

Rwandan reparations fund breaks ground but is still not enough, say victimsThis article tells the story of the Genocide Survivors Assistance Fund (FARG), created by the Rwandan government and still in operation today. It shows how in a country without resources it was still possible to set up a reparations system, albeit imperfect.

Stolen generations survivors to get $73m in NSW compensation packageSome survivors say offer of $75,000 each a positive first step, while others call it an ‘insult’ compared with a lifetime of damage wrought by government policies

The Thorny History of Reparations in the United StatesIn the 20th century, the country issued reparations for Japanese American internment, Native land seizures, massacres and police brutality. Will slavery be next?

To Native Americans, reparations can vary from having sovereignty to just being heardTo Native Americans, reparations can vary from sovereignty and land to being heard

Why we need reparations for Black AmericansRashawn Ray and Andre Perry outline the history of reparations in the United States, missed opportunities to redress the racial wealth gap, and specific details for a viable reparations package for Black Americans.

The case for climate reparationsEither we allow climate migrants to move in, or we compensate these refugees financially for the damages caused by our greenhouse gas emissions.

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