My ancestors lived, labored, and suffered here. Their spirits hover around me, their faces etched in my memory, silently demanding justice. Without them, I wouldn't be here today, and it's my duty to speak up for them. Cheapside in Lexington, Kentucky, was once a bustling marketplace for selling enslaved African-Americans. Fondly referred to as the 'Wall Street of slave trading,' it saw brutal exchanges of human lives for monetary gains. As a direct descendant of these slaves, I believe that the time has come for reparations.

Today, hundreds of descendants like me bear the ignominy and repercussions of a system that disempowered and marginalised them for centuries. It's time to right these historical wrongs. Let's acknowledge that the economic prosperity of Lexington, and indeed the South, was built on the backs of enslaved people - a debt that is yet to be repaid.

We ask the local Lexington government to implement a reparations program for descendants of slaves sold at Cheapside. Such programs are not only morally right but also beneficial for social integration and economic growth. A study from Harvard Business School indeed suggests that by addressing historic injustices, we can reduce social inequality and foster inclusivity (Harvard Business Review, 2020).

My ancestors expect it of me and I expect it of my city and fellow citizens to strive for justice and equality. Please join our effort to reconcile with the past and forge a better path for the future. Sign this petition to help us ensure reparations for descendants of those sold into slavery at Cheapside.