This letter campaign is important because it sheds light on Michigan's overlooked history with slavery and the long-lasting impact of discriminatory policies that continue to harm American Freedmen descendants today.

Three bills are now before the Michigan Legislature: the American Freedmen Reparations Commission, which would formally investigate the state's historical role in slavery and systemic racism; the Office of Freedmen Affairs, which would give American Freedmen a permanent seat in state government; and a data disaggregation requirement, which would let Michigan finally measure these disparities and track progress over time.

Together, they provide a foundation for policy-driven solutions that address economic, housing, legal, and educational disparities. Without such action, past injustices will persist in shaping present inequalities. This is a chance for Michigan to lead the way in acknowledging historical wrongs and forging a path toward meaningful reparative justice.