Rev. Robert Turner to take reparations fight nationwide after years-long protest

By Jamannie MorganAFRO Internjmorgan@afro.com

For 40 months Rev. Robert Turner of Empowerment Temple AME Church has diligently walked almost 43 miles from Herring Run Park, Baltimore to the White Home in Washington, D.C. 

Initially from Tuskegee, Alabama, Rev. Turner has been a pastor for almost 20 years. This September will mark 5 years of his journey at Empowerment Temple AME Church situated at 4217 Primrose Ave, Baltimore MD 21202. 

“I’m impressed by my religion and by the reminiscence of our individuals who have given every thing to this nation from our our bodies, our minds, our expertise, our sources and this nation has but to restore the harm,” stated Turner.

The pastor’s month-to-month journey served as a public act of advocacy for reparations and remembrance. He says every stroll was achieved to honor African Individuals who “have by no means been paid, by no means been acknowledged, by no means obtained reparations for constructing this nation.”

Some walks embrace a cease on the Nationwide Museum of African American Historical past and Tradition, often known as the “Blacksonian.”

There, he laid wreaths in a solemn ceremony.

“At a time when our historical past is being referred to as detrimental or miserable, I laid that wreath in solidarity with our historical past, to remind America that God has not forgotten what has occurred to Black folks,” stated Turner.

For him, the museum represents greater than remembrance. It’s non secular symbolism.

“The place America appears to have forgotten what we’ve gone by means of,” he stated, “God has not forgotten. And God will deliver reparations.” 

The month-to-month demonstrations, achieved in a single day, considerably impacted the religion chief’s thoughts and physique. Rev. Turner is candid about the associated fee.

“With sneakers on, I’m 6-foot-6,” he stated. “I’m not a marathon runner. I don’t have a walker’s physique. It’s essentially the most bodily painful factor I’ve achieved–my knees, my ft, my again– it’s painful.”

The bodily ache was one factor–however then got here the emotional toll.

Turner endured racial slurs shouted from passing automobiles. Drivers deliberately splashed him with soiled puddle water. He has been struck by automobiles and confronted criticism each from strangers and, at occasions, members of his personal neighborhood.

Regardless of the hostility confronted, Turner says essentially the most highly effective moments got here from surprising locations.

There have been white allies who limped alongside him in solidarity. Homeless people supplied encouragement, and other people from totally different races, religions and backgrounds took half within the walks.

“I stroll with no weapon, no safety element,” he stated. “By way of a number of the most harmful areas in Maryland and D.C. And I’ve by no means had an issue from the folks on the road. Ever.”

For him, that grassroots respect carries weight. 

“Once you get love from the road, from individuals who don’t know you, meaning one thing,” he stated. “It tells you someone sees that they’re value strolling for.”

Turner argues that federal reparations laws is crucial to justice in America.

The invoice would set up a federal fee to check the lasting impacts of slavery and systemic discrimination and discover potential treatments.

“We’ve had commissions to check every thing,” Turner stated. “We’ve studied 9/11, we’ve studied outer area, however we’ve by no means had a fee to check America’s unique sin.”

He lists slavery, Jim Crow, redlining, mass incarceration and the warfare on medicine as interconnected techniques which have by no means been formally addressed by means of federal restore.

“H.R. 40 may assist treatment lots of the ills that we’re inflicted with,” he stated.

Whereas Turner emphasizes federal coverage reform, others see funding locally as equally essential.

Ashley David, a scholar at Morgan State College, believes reparations are attainable however might require a deal with a broader definition of justice.

“Reparations, akin to coverage reform, have been achieved earlier than,” David stated. “However on the subject of slavery and systemic racism, everybody has a unique perspective about what justice seems like.”

David believes significant reparations ought to deal with neighborhood funding. In her view, “cash going towards a neighborhood as a substitute of simply a person ensures that it’s being spent on one thing necessary.”

David stated Turner made a “daring resolution” when he made the selection to highlight the problem of reparations for Black folks.

All through the nation, Turner has garnered assist through the years. Now, he says his mission is way bigger. 

Turner advised the AFRO that his fortieth stroll to the White Home, accomplished final month, was his final month-to-month march.

He plans to proceed the D.C. stroll yearly, however his imaginative and prescient has advanced. 

“My purpose is to stroll to each state capital within the nation,” he stated. “That is going nationwide.”

After finishing 40 walks, symbolizing “40 acres” and justice deferred, Turner says he feels referred to as to develop.

Rev. Kevin Slayton, a Baltimore pastor who has joined parts of the stroll, agrees that increasing the hassle past the Maryland and D.C. space would elevate the motion.

“Traditionally, this kind of civic engagement has at all times had an affect, notably for our neighborhood,” Slayton stated. “By taking it past the state, it grants the next profile and brings consciousness to Black communities the place no one is admittedly engaged on reparations points.”

Rev. Slayton famous that such actions don’t at all times produce outcomes instantly however lays the inspiration for it to develop considerably  over time.

 “Folks received’t at all times respect what he’s doing immediately,” Slayton stated. “However additional down the highway, they are going to.”

Each Slayton and David stated youthful generations will play a significant function within the motion’s progress.

“The best function they will play is educating themselves,” Slayton stated. “Folks don’t should steal something from you that you just don’t know is yours. You simply give it away.”

David stated social media generally is a software to amplify consciousness.

“It will get the phrase out to others,” she stated. “That’s how we join these days.”

Even with plans to develop the trigger, Turner makes it clear the walks have by no means been about publicity, however for the folks.

“They might not even stay anymore, the folks I’m strolling for,” he stated. “However I do it of their reminiscence. It’s going to take extra work, however I do know God will present.”

This story was up to date on March 17 to incorporate extra details about Rev. Robert Turner.