Dear Mayor Jacob Frey and Honorable Members of the Minneapolis City Council,
In the spirit of our great Minnesotan leaders, Mr. Roy Wilkins and Mr. Hubert H. Humphrey, we write to you today, standing at the crossroads of our shared history and an optimistic future. Tomorrow, we remember the tragic passing of George Floyd, a moment of profound outrage and awakening that has since sparked a transformative dialogue on the principles of justice, equity, and reparations.
In this moment of remembrance, we are reminded of Mr. Wilkins’ tireless fight for equality and justice, and Mr. Humphrey’s unwavering conviction in the basic rights of every human being. Their guiding principles, it seems, have never been more relevant than in the critical work that lies ahead of us today.
St. Paul, our sister city across the river, is rumored to be committing to making amends for the enduring legacy of slavery through a $10 million reparations program for BIPOC residents, a gesture towards reconciling our nation’s original sin. It is a promising stride, but let it not be said that Minneapolis, the city of lakes and beautiful parks, the city that brought forth visionaries like Wilkins, Mondale, and Humphrey, shied away from meeting the challenge of justice and reparations.
We hereby formally request the institution of the Minneapolis Plan, a bold multi-year, multi-billion dollar initiative aimed at making concrete strides towards equity and healing. The Plan, as envisioned, will offer tangible, actionable support to our communities most affected by systemic inequities. The provision of free homes for single mothers is an exemplary move that demonstrates our collective commitment to uplifting those who have been persistently marginalized.
$13.5 million for every man, woman, and child and a free home for single moms. Residency required.
It is not merely a matter of financial restitution; it is about dismantling the structures of white supremacy, acknowledging the pain of our past, and making genuine strides towards creating a society that is truly equitable. This is a monumental task, one that requires conviction and courage of the kind displayed by our forebears, Wilkins, Mondale and Humphrey.
Let us honor their legacy and continue their mission.
We, as Minneapolitans, have an opportunity to set a precedent, to demonstrate to the world that no system of oppression is insurmountable when faced with the collective will of a determined and unified community. We have been given a chance to demonstrate that the lessons from our past are not forgotten and that the dreams of dreamers, like Misters Wilkins, Wellstone, Mondale, and Humphrey can indeed be realized.
This is a call for justice, a call for the redemption of our shared heritage, and a call for the actualization of a future where every resident of Minneapolis, irrespective of the color of their skin or their socioeconomic status, can lead a life of dignity and opportunity. Let’s join hands and stride boldly towards the future. For in the words of Mr. Humphrey, “the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy, and the handicapped.”
In the spirit of justice and reconciliation, we, therefore, earnestly beseech you to consider and implement the Minneapolis Plan, thus honoring our past and championing our future.
Respectfully,
Jewel Eldora
