Reparations for Slavery in the United States: A History of Social Action, from the Reconstruction to the 21st Century.

I am eager to share my knowledge of the history of slavery and the ongoing demands for reparations with both students and colleagues. I believe this course will equip students with the skills needed to understand the enduring impact of slavery in the United States and provide them with the tools to address long-standing inequalities through social action.

This undergraduate history course introduces students to the ongoing struggles for reparations for slavery, tracing their evolution from the Reconstruction era to the present day in the United States. Drawing on books, articles, and documentaries, the course explores a range of campaigns and the strategies used by activists to pursue justice and redress for the brutalities suffered. As a capstone project, students will produce a 10–12 page, double-spaced proposal for a reparations campaign that utilizes knowledge gained from the course materials, alongside delivering a 10–15-minute presentation of their proposal. The course recognizes the NAACP’s statement on reparations, declaring that they are “the first step in repairing the devastation inflicted by slavery and racial discrimination” upon African American individuals, communities, and their descendants.

Lucio Antonio Bianchi

Ph.D. Student in African History (ABD after November 2025)

History Department

College of Social Science

Michigan State University