This bill supports the preservation, investment, and revitalization of historic Freedmen's Settlements and Black towns, acknowledging past injustices and promoting equitable opportunities through coordinated government and community efforts.
Sydney Kamlager-Dove
Representative
CA-37
This bill aims to honor, preserve, and invest in Freedmen's Settlements and Black towns established by formerly enslaved African Americans. It recognizes the historical significance of these communities, the challenges they have faced, and the need for continued support through research, investment, and coordinated efforts among government entities and nonprofits. The bill seeks to protect these settlements from development, gentrification, and environmental hazards while promoting economic justice, infrastructure improvements, and fair living standards. Ultimately, it reaffirms the commitment to racial justice and equity for these historically disadvantaged communities.
Feds Pledge to Protect and Revitalize Historic Freedmen's Settlements: New Bill Backs Preservation and Economic Justice
Alright, here's the deal: There's a new bill on the table, and it's all about finally giving some long-overdue recognition and support to Freedmen's Settlements and Black towns across the country. These are the communities built by formerly enslaved African Americans – places that showed incredible resilience, but often faced violence, discrimination, and a total lack of investment. This bill is a step toward setting things right.
Roots of Resilience
The bill acknowledges that the fight for racial justice didn't magically end with emancipation in 1865. It recognizes the straight-up struggle that Black communities faced in establishing these settlements. It calls for real action in the form of documenting their histories (through oral accounts, records, and physical markers), and—this is key—investing in them. Think historic preservation, but also economic justice initiatives. It's about time.
Protecting the Legacy
One of the biggest things this bill tackles is protecting these communities from being wiped out by development, gentrification, or environmental hazards. The bill specifically mentions using "strategic investment, regulation, community-led development, business creation, workforce development, and education" (Section 2) to achieve this. For example, a family-owned business in a Freedmen's Settlement could get access to new resources for expansion, or a community organization could receive funding to restore a historic church. The bill also pushes for coordination between government agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to make sure these efforts are actually effective.
Making Good on Promises
This bill isn't just about preserving buildings; it's about improving lives. It pushes for "fair living standards," including better infrastructure, healthcare, and environmental sustainability. It is about recognizing that investing in these historically disadvantaged communities is essential for achieving real equity. It is about honoring the people that created these settlements, and it is about time. The bill specifically references the need to build on the promises made when Juneteenth was designated a federal holiday. This means acknowledging the past and actively working to create a more just future for the residents and descendants of Freedmen's Settlements.