The Reparations Collective

WHAT IS THE REPARATIONS COLLECTIVE?

We are a growing group of white antiracists who acknowledge how much we benefit from white privilege. In recognition of this, and of the collective harms of the past, our goal is to agitate for reparations education, policy change, and legislation. We also invite people to join us in making regular, individual reparations payments.

The Collective believes that reparations for Black and Indigenous folks is vital for justice. 

We are based in western Massachusetts, USA, mostly Franklin County and welcome participation from beyond this geographic region.

We find reparative justice work a joyful opportunity to collectively address centuries of racialized harm and take steps toward healing and repair for the benefit of all.

(Logo artist: Keven van Zoen)

OUR HISTORY

The Reparations Collective began as a committee of Racial Justice Rising in 2020, planning programming and educational opportunities centered on reparations. 

In 2021, we established accountability partnerships with reparations leaders and offered reparations workshops to the community. 

In 2022, in addition to reparations workshops, the Reparations Collective distributed $7000 to reparations-oriented organizations in our region.

In 2023, the Collective distributed another $7000 to local organizations, held and/or supported two workshops on reparations, agitated for reparations legislation and spread the good word in the region via tabling at events and the radio.  

In 2024, we expanded our accountability partner relationships to include Indigenous leaders. The reparations payments of $8,750 were divided between the Chaubunagungamaug Nipmuc band based in Fiskdale, MA and the Black-led Crossing the Waters Institute for Cultural Exchange based in Amherst, MA. We continued to table, agitate for reparations legislation and co-sponsored a Film Series on Reparations hosted by the Grassroots Reparations Campaign.

In 2025, we feel honored that both groups, the Chaubunagungamaug band of Nipmuck Indians and Crossing The Waters Institute for Cultural Exchange agreed to continue this reparative relationship with us. We hope it will become a long-term partnership.