I write this from a deeply personal place because I am a descendant of Africans who were enslaved in America. The echoes of this painful history still resonate in our lives today. Generations after emancipation, the legislative and societal barriers erected to suppress African Americans continue to result in systemic discrimination that impacts our education, employment, housing, and overall quality of life.

The United States has yet to formally acknowledge and address this unjust and inhumane treatment through a comprehensive initiative of reparations. Though the passage of HR40 in the House of Representatives is a positive step towards studying reparations, it's critical that our local leaders also support this movement.

According to a 2020 study from Duke University, the racial wealth gap between black and white individuals is estimated to cost the U.S. economy between $1 trillion and $1.5 trillion over the next decade. Furthermore, the Economic Policy Institute has noted that the median wealth for white families is ten times greater than that of black families. This staggering disparity can be traced back to generations of systemic racial injustice and underlines the urgent need for reparations.

I stand as one among millions asking for your support. Join us in urging the New Jersey legislators to advocate for reparations, to recognize the injustices of the past, and to take a decisive step towards rectifying these systemic inequalities. Sign this petition today.