Summer Lee

Hidden in the corners of this nation are those of African-American heritage, the descendents of enslaved Africans, who have felt the sting of the disparities. They continue to feel that sting. Now more than ever, the facts and…

When people ask me why, I ask why not. That is what we are saying today. When people ask us why, I say, why not? When they ask us what time, I say, why we can't wait.

I believe good Americans--and they are everywhere; this is a good country; it is a special country; it is a country that loves democracy; will welcome H.R. 40 and the healing reparative aspects of this commission, and so the final question…

We have never received an apology or a response.

Black people are living in poorer neighborhoods, attending lower-resource schools, as well as lower-quality healthcare facilities.

We absolutely need to look at healthcare-specific reparations remedies.

It is the fact that Black people are more than six times as likely as White people to languish behind bars for possessing drugs for personal use.

It is the evidence that school populations of Black and Brown children receive $23 billion less in funding than White school districts.

H.R. 40 is the presence of a continuing sting of disparities.

H.R. 40 is large enough and right enough to be able to hear from Mr. Walker and Attorney Elder.

Without question, history has taught us time and time again that our laws must boldly affirm that Black lives matter.

I would only say that there is something to the heinous, vile, and vicious Act of slavery that the descendants of enslaved Africans and those slaves experienced uniquely in this country.

I think H.R. 40 is absolutely incredible, but I think the facts-finding is very difficult.

Let us be very clear, the commission on H.R. 40 is a commission to fact find, repair, restore, and develop proposals for reparations.

The gap between Black and White wealth is as large today as it was in 1968.

I want to thank you for your leadership and your continued stalwart support for the importance of all Americans.

This legislation is long overdue and should be put into place this year.

I am here today to let you know of our strong support for H.R. 40, originally authored by the great John Conyers.

I urge Congress to account for and repair systemic racism rather than to ignore it and embody it.

This commission is really, it is no figment of your imagination.

We need to bring our Nation together.

That is what repair is all about, reparative justice.

It is important to keep sight, both of remedying individual harms, undoing structures of injustice.

Reparations is about addressing injustices against individuals.

We believe that the best way to solve that problem is to take it on head first.