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.

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, , 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.^[1] 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.^[2]

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.^[3]

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

Actions[]

Legal action[]

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.^[4] In 2001, N'COBRA supported H.R.40, entitled Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act.^[5] 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.^[6] 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."^[6]

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.^[7] 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."^[7]

See also[]

• H.R. 40 - Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act
• H.R. 40 Wikiquotes
• Reparations for slavery
• History of slavery in the United States
• Civil Liberties Act of 1988 (Reparations to Japanese Americans interned by the United States government during World War II)
• Reparations Agreement between Israel and West Germany (1952)
• Racism in the United States
• Redistribution of income and wealth
• Slavery

References[]