Quakers, Reparations, and Reparative Economies

Co-hosts Peterson Toscano and Diana Yañez explore reparations beyond simple transactions. Rooted in abolition, repair is examined as a relational commitment and spiritual discipline aimed at ensuring historical and systemic harms are never repeated. Guests Anthony "Ant" Smith and Lucy Duncan discuss the historical lessons of Reconstruction and share how Philadelphia's Greene Street Friends Meeting dedicated $500,000 to reparations, centering Black leadership and unlocking over $11 million in local housing wealth. Anthony "Ant" Smith Organizer and educator with Reparation Works and Abolition Schools, bringing an abolitionist framework to racial repair and systemic change. Lucy Duncan Quaker activist, writer, member of Greene Street Friends Meeting, and Reparation Works focused on transgenerational healing. Key Topics Covered Abolition and Non-Repetition: Why reparations require systemic transformation so racialized violence cannot be repeated. Reconstruction Precedents: How General Sherman’s Field Order No. 15 proved the tools for Black autonomy were already understood. A Meeting’s Commitment: How Greene Street Friends Meeting allocated $500,000 over 10 years, housing the work in Worship and Ministry. Centering Black Leadership: Entrusting full financial discernment directly to the meeting’s Black members. Tangible Community Impact: Investing $25,000 in a legal clinic that preserved $11 million in Black generational housing wealth. Reparations as Spiritual Practice: Approaching long-term systemic repair with curiosity, patience, and love. Episode Timestamps 0:00 – Introduction: Beyond Financial Payouts 2:45 – Anthony Smith on Abolition & Repair 6:15 – Reconstruction & Sherman’s Field Order 15 8:50 – Greene Street Friends & Spiritual Resources 12:10 – Centering Black Discernment 15:30 – Free Legal Clinics & Housing Wealth 18:40 – Reparations as a Spiritual Discipline 20:55 – Listener Query & Archive Highlights 22:30 – Sponsor Messages & Disclaimers Resources & Links Reparation Works: https://www.reparation.works/ Article: Reparations and Transgenerational Healing by Lucy Duncan https://www.friendsjournal.org/reparations-and-transgenerational-healing/https://friendsjournal.org Archive Episode: Quakers and Reparations (January 2023) https://www.friendsjournal.org/podcast/episode-3-quakers-and-reparations/  Racial Wealth Gap Simulation https://bread.org Bonus Video Feature Ant & Lucy Community & Activism Feature: https://youtu.be/IwN8-z7usYI?si=qEzVIeeMzlxZQH1H  Connect With Us What does repair look like in your community? Leave a voicemail at 317-QUAKERS ( 317-782-5377) or email podcast@friendsjournal.org. Quakers Today Website https://quakerstoday.org Friends Journal https://friendsjournal.org Quakers Today is a project of Friends Publishing Corporation, hosted by Peterson Toscano and Diana Yañez. Season 6 is supported by Friends Fiduciary and the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC).   Financial Disclaimer All investments involve risk, and financial decisions should be made based on your individual circumstances, ideally in consultation with a qualified professional. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host, Natural Investments, or its affiliates. Diana Gisel Yañez is an Investment Advisor Representative of Natural Investments PBLLC. Natural Investments is an independent Registered Investment Advisor. Quakers Today and Friends Journal are not registered entities and are not affiliates or subsidiaries of Natural Investments.