Reparations

Reparations for slavery have become an issue in the 2020 presidential election. In this lesson, students explore the views of candidates and write tweets in response to one of the candidates. This Part 3 of a 3-part series on reparations. 

This lesson has students examine and discuss the different forms reparations can take, from direct payments, to broad social supports, to truth and reconciliation. 

Why are many Americans calling on the U.S. to provide reparations for slavery? In this activity, students examine recent data on the racial wealth gap, then travel back in time to look at the origins of the wealth gap. 

Chicago decided on May 6, 2015, to provide reparations for its history of brutal police abuse, after decades of organizing by activists. This brief classroom activity uses two quotes to help students consider the news and its implications.