Bill requires UVA to give scholarships to descendants of enslaved

Reparations Virginia bill would require scholarships for descendants of enslaved laborers By Brielle Entzminger reporter@c-ville.com F or nearly a year, Isabella Gibbons has peered over Charlottesville. Inscribed into the rough-hewn granite of the University of Virginia’s Memorial to Enslaved Laborers, her eyes not only draw attention to the cruel realities not been for student activism, faculty support, and descendant organizing.” If the bill is passed by the state senate, the colleges will have to tap into their large endowments (or fundraise) to pay for the scholarship program, which would take effect in the 2022-2023 academic year. They will also be obligated to build a memorial to enslaved laborers, if they have not done THE ARTFUL LODGER SEMI-ANNUAL Upholstery Sale 10% to 20% OFF In Stock And Special Order Upholstery Transform your living space into the room THE ARTFUL LODGER SEMI-ANNUAL Upholstery Sale EXPERIENCE NO BARS. NO SPRINGS. PURE COMFORT. R E T A I L E R EXTENDED RETAILER INFORMATION CS-SALE ADS - POLAR BEAR.indd 1 EXPERIENCE NO BARS. NO SPRINGS. PURE COMFORT. Up to 20% Off In Stock And Special Order Upholstery Choose your perfect sofa, sectional, loveseat, and chairs from of slavery—but ask what we are going to do to rectify them. As UVA continues to atone for its racist history, a form of reparation may finally be on the way for the living descendants of enslaved laborers like Gibbons, who helped build and maintain the university for decades. On February 5, the Virginia House of so already. At UVA, descendants have already established their own independent organization. Though the group is still getting organized, one of its main goals is to establish reparations scholarships. “Our ancestors [not only] put their blood, sweat, and tears into creating and building the university,” says Bertha French, co-chair ON SALE NOW FEBRUARY 5-22 Choose your perfect sofa, sectional, loveseat, and chairs from Lee, Vanguard, Younger, IMG Sale runs April 1 you’ve always imagined! EXPERIENCE NO BARS. NO SPRINGS. PURE COMFORT. R E T A I L E R EXTENDED RETAILER INFORMATION CS-SALE ADS - POLAR BEAR.indd 1 ON SALE MARCH 6TH – APRIL 6TH Lee, Vanguard, Younger, and American Leather Sale runs April 1 Certain exclusions apply EXPERIENCE NO BARS. NO SPRINGS. PURE COMFORT. EXTENDED RETAILER INFORMATION EXPERIENCE NO BARS. NO SPRINGS. PURE COMFORT. R E T A I L E R EXTENDED RETAILER INFORMATION CS-SALE ADS - POLAR BEAR.indd 1 EXTENDED RETAILER INFORMATION Delegates passed a bill that would require five state colleges established before 1865— the University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Military of Descendants of Enslaved Communities at UVA, “but their bodies were a part of a system of finance that were foundational to the beginnings of our country.” Certain exclusions apply 218 West Market Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902|434-970-1900 / Monday - Saturday 10 am - 6 pm 218 West Market Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902 434-970-1900 I Monday - Saturday 10 am - 6 pm 1/7/20 3:35 PM ON SALE MARCH 6TH – APRIL 6TH Institute, Longwood University, and the In addition to providing free higher College of William & Mary—to offer full education—which is “a passport for upfour-year scholarships to descendants of ward mobility,” says French—to thousands enslaved laborers, allowing them to attend CS-SALE ADS - POLAR BEAR.indd 1 218 West Market Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902 1/7/20 3:35 PM the school of their choice. “When you think about the centuries of 1/7/20 3:35 PM “There are institutions @cvillenews_desk facebook.com/cville.weekly EXPERIENCE THE ONLY LIVING CHAIR 434-970-1900 I Monday - Saturday 10 am - 6 pm 218 West Market Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902 434-970-1900 I Tuesday – Saturday 11am – 5pm www.lodgerva.com legacy admissions that have occurred, this is really just the bare minimum that could be done for a community of people who are responsible for these institutions existing,” says Justin Reid, manager of the General Assembly Virginia African American Cultural Resources Task Force. “More than anything, this bill gives the General Assembly’s seal of approval for efforts that in many cases are already underway,” he adds. “There are institutions doing this work that wouldn’t be doing it if it had doing this work that wouldn’t be doing it if it had not been for student activism, faculty support, and descendant organizing.” JUSTIN REID, MANAGER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY VIRGINIA AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL RESOURCES TASK FORCE

STEPHEN BARLING