A Future of Repair

The Chicago Torture Justice Center celebrates Black History Month by uplifting and remembering survivors, communities and families impacted by racist police violence and institutionalized racism. This month, we will share stories of resistance and resilience–grounded in the history and ongoing struggle of reparations for Black survivors. We honor that reparations were only made possible due to Black-led, decades-long organizing.

The Center was created as a result of the historic Reparations Ordinance of 2015 to provide services and healing support for survivors. Today, the Center continues to contribute to the movement for reparations, guided by and rooted in politicized healing. It is our belief that healing from racialized trauma is a political act, and that our politics bring healing to our communities.

As we celebrate healing, we also acknowledge harm. Torture quietly proliferated through the Chicago Police Department for decades because Black survivors and their families were dismissed and silenced. We honor the courage and strength of survivors who have shared their stories, and are unapologetic in naming harm as we move towards a culture of accountability.

We recognize that the Reparations Ordinance in Chicago, while historic, is a small drop in what should be a well of reparative justice for the 400+ years of systemic oppression against Black communities in the United States. We equally honor that every victory in this ongoing movement deserves celebration. As we look back at history, we look toward a future of repair and healing that may one day extend beyond Chicago and beyond our Center.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter throughout the month for celebrations, stories of resilience, and calls to action.

#BlackHistoryMonth #ReparationsNow #ReparationsWon #FreeThemAll