Ending Our Silence

The U.S. has never fully addressed the legacy of chattel slavery and institutionalized racism. H.R. 40 – Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals/Processes for African Americans Act presents an opportunity to engage in a national discourse on the topic of federal reparations for the injustices of slavery and the present-day impact. The intent of the bill is to establish a commission to examine remedies for slavery and institutionalized discrimination. Enacting this bill is an important step in acknowledging the fundamental injustices of slavery. Social work, as a profession, has yet to acknowledge a position on this important issue. The historical context of reparations and institutionalized discrimination are presented to initiate a dialogue and call to action among social workers. Social workers are in a unique position to play an integral role in addressing the issues challenging passage of H.R. 40. The advocacy expertise of social workers situates them to support reparations as a policy priority that aligns with the cardinal values of the profession. Through capacity-building, the social work profession can dispel the myths and fears associated with reparations and move H.R. 40 forward.