The National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America

The National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America (N'COBRA) is an organization based out of Washington, DC, that seeks financial compensation for the descendants of former slaves in the United States. The group advocates that the U.S. Government, U.S. corporations and individuals who benefited from the labors of former slaves should pay reparations of an undisclosed amount and say that further study needs to be done to find the exact amount, but estimate that the amount may be approximately $8,000,000,000,000 (eight trillion.)[1] Members of N’COBRA seek reparations because of the many injuries caused from slavery and the continuing effect it has had upon their descendants. These reparations can take many forms including land, economic development, and other monetary resources.[2] Based on the estimated U.S. population for 2008,[3] this amounts to approximately $205,000 per Black citizen in the United States.

The National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America
FormationSeptember 26, 1987
TypePolitical Organization
Location
  • International
Websitehttp://www.ncobraonline.org/

Founding

N’COBRA was founded September 26, 1987, for the purpose of spreading information and supporting of the long-term goal of gaining reparations for African Americans. Founders of N’COBRA include National Conference of Black Lawyers, The New Afrikan Peoples Organization, and the Republic of New Afrika. After its founding the organization grew and now has chapters in various parts of the world including Africa, Europe, Central America, South America, and the United States.[4] The work is based on nine national commissions: Economic Development, Human Resources, Legal Strategies, Legislation, Information and Media, Membership and Organizational Development, International Affairs, Youth and Education.[5]

Leadership

The National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America membership is broken down into three categories: individual members, national and local organizational members and organizational affiliates. There are chapters, members, and affiliates in many different places around the globe. N’COBRA membership is seen in many different parts of the United States and in parts of Africa, Europe, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.[6]

Primary leadership for the organization is handled by a national board of directors.

Actions

H.R. 40

H.R. 40 is the Congressional Reparations Study Bill that is introduced by Representatives John Conyers and Shelia Jackson Lee every Congress since 1989 and championed by N'COBRA's Legislative Commission.[7] In 2001, N'COBRA supported H.R.40, entitled Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act.[8] This bill was sponsored by Rep John Conyers Jr. On January 9, 2017, Congressman John Conyers (D-MI), introduced a newly revised HR40 Reparations Bill.[9] It is titled The Commission to Study and Develop Reparations Proposals for African Americans Act. In a press release on the N'COBRA website, Congressman Conyers explained this new bill was drafted to reflect "the advances in the legal and societal discussion of the transatlantic slave trade and reparations. In the past, the focus on the social effects of slavery, segregation and its continuing economic implications remained largely ignored by mainstream analysis. …the call for reparations represents a commitment to entering a constructive dialogue on the role of slavery and racism in shaping present-day conditions both in our community and American society as a whole."[9]

Relationship with Black Lives Matter

In August, 2016, the Movement for Black Lives, a coalition which is tied to the Black Lives Matter movement, released a policy platform based around reparations.[10] The platform listed six demands, comprising 40 policy recommendations, and "seeks reparations for lasting harms caused to African-Americans of slavery and investment in education and jobs." N'COBRA lauded the announcement of this platform as "the first time these black-led organizations linked to the decentralized Black Lives Matter movement have banded together to write a comprehensive foundational policy platform."[10]

Recent News

According to a 2016 article in the Washington Post, a U.N. panel said they believe the U.S. owes Black people reparations.[11] A report done by a U.N connected panel claimed because of slavery, Americans with African descent should receive reparations in some form. In the same article, it is also stated that " Despite substantial changes since the end of the enforcement of Jim Crow and the fight for civil rights, ideology ensuring the domination of one group over another, continues to negatively impact the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of African Americans today. The dangerous ideology of white supremacy inhibits social cohesion amongst the US population."[11] They concluded that because of slavery, violence against the Black community, and terrorist acts like lynching, Black people should receive some sort of apology or other form of reparation.[11]

See also

References
  1. "N'COBRA Website". Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  2. "Main Page". The National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America. N'COBRA.org. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  3. "CIA - The World Factbook - United States". Cia.gov. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
  4. "N'COBRA.org | Welcome to NCOBRA Online!". ncobra.org. Retrieved 2017-03-07.
  5. "N'COBRA". ncobraonline.org. Retrieved 2017-03-07.
  6. "The National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America". www.ncobraonline.org. Retrieved 2017-03-07.
  7. "N'COBRA.org | Welcome to NCOBRA Online!". ncobra.org. Retrieved 2017-03-14.
  8. "NCOBRA". Web.archive.org. 2002-12-12. Archived from the original on December 12, 2002. Retrieved 2014-03-18.
  9. "Congressman John Conyers Introduces New HR40 Reparations Bill".
  10. "Slavery reparations sought in first Black Lives Matter agenda". 27 August 2016.
  11. "U.S. owes Black people reparations for a history of 'racial terrorism,' says U.N. panel". Washington Post. Retrieved 2017-03-16.
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