Dear Dr. Ron Daniels:
On behalf of the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations In America (N’COBRA) and its Chicago Chapter, under the leadership of Brother Kamm Howard, I take this moment in time to express for all freedom seeking and freedom struggling Africans of the world, our profound acknowledgment, appreciation, and respect for your leadership and that of the Institute of the Black World in developing and coordinating the collaborative event “Revitalizing The Reparations Movement” held at the Chicago State University on Saturday, April 19, 2014.
This event was far reaching and deeply rooted in the fundamental human values necessary for radical change in our thinking and approach to fulfilling the expansive vision of reparationists past and present and providing a firm foundation for those in the future who will defend, protect and secure all of our human p possibilities.
We share the vision of the IBW and CARICOM as demonstrated by the theme of our 2012 National Conference in the city of Philadelphia. As you very well know every movement needs an engine. Consequently we are ready to demonstrate our collective work and responsibility.
In today’s economic, political, and social environment the challenge continues to be the ability of an organization to change and change quickly. Organizations face two types of changes, evolutionary and revolutionary. Evolutionary change is change that happens over time to ensure the survival of the organization. Evolutionary change is typically change brought about by either pressure or new resources. “Revitalizing The Reparations Movement” provided the pressure and the incentive for the reparations movement in America to have tangible linkages to CARICOM and produce measurable outcomes to reconstruct, restore, renew our demand for reparations in our life time and be victorious. This event accomplished this, and good work produces more work.
Thank you!
In contrast, revolutionary change occurs when organizations make radical transformations to their structure, and strategy of engagement in an effort to fulfill their divine mission and maintain dignity. “Revitalizing The Revolution Movement” was a vital point in revolutionary transformation and of the evolution of the reparations movement in America.
Again, we thank you. Really, we can’t thank you enough!
This letter of acknowledgement is only our effort to do so. Our real appreciation can only be demonstrated as we continue daily in activating and operationalizing the reparations movement in America by maintaining and advancing our dignity in the world as self-authorizing and self-determining people.
In closing, we appreciate the depth and breadth of your collaborative insight you offered at this monumental event. Your leadership got us all energized about the road ahead and is just the kind of innovative thinking we needed to push our organization to the next level. Please share this letter to all who were involved with every step.
Hotep! Ase!
Brother Ari, as ever
Mzee Ari S. Merretazon, M.S.CED
N’COBRA Northeast Representative
Former N’COBRA National Male Co-Chair
Never forget, Reparations is the crossroads solution to our human capital infrastructure in the context of a Reparations Accord for Blacks in America as a matter of public policy.
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No Greater Love–Internal Reparations Education: A process of acknowledging the human capital within the individual, family, and community, then designing, instructing, and educating youth and adults with information which draws out and activates their understanding of what happened to us in furtherance of a Reparations Accord for Blacks in America as a matter of public policy.
