​Reparations

Background to our decision

To better understand the decision please see:

• minutes from Yearly Meeting (PDF), especially Minute 27 and Minute 33
• Yearly Meeting 2022 Epistle (PDF) (the letter to all Quakers summarising the detail and spirit of the Yearly Meeting) is also helpful
• the Swarthmore Lecture (offsite link), 'Perceiving the temperature of the water' by Helen Minnis, which addressing issues of white privilege within the Quaker movement and scientific community
• Ann Morgan, of Lancaster Meeting, shares her research about Quaker involvement in the slave trade in the 18th century - watch now on Vimeo

If this is new, then you may find preparation materials and session information from Yearly Meeting 2022 and 2021 helpful.

Learning

If you are beginning to consider the Yearly Meeting's commitment to make reparations, wish to deepen or refresh your understanding of reparations or the legacies of the transatlantic slave trade, or are planning to consider reparations within your Quaker community, we have gathered resources which will help you to build understanding. See our resource library.

Taking action

This section will showcase some of the actions that Quakers have taken in response to the Yearly Meeting commitment to make reparations. In due course, this will include discernment and decision-making by the BYM reparations Working Group.

Building connections

We know that Quakers are not alone in considering historical injustice and reparations, and we do not need to begin this work afresh. Building connections with others working on reparations, and with communities affected by the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade is a key part of making meaningful reparations.

• Quakers discuss reparations and restorative justice with Jamaican Christians

Making commitments

Local and area meetings have begun to consider how they might engage with reparations. We will share the responses which are beginning to emerge.

Header image Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons