Reparations Nation Podcast

Kevin

Hosted by Rev. Dr. Kevin C. Peterson, Reparations Nation is a podcast exploring the people, policies, history, faith, and ideas shaping the movement for reparations and a more just democratic future. Through thoughtful conversations with leaders, scholars, advocates, faith voices, organizers, and change-makers from the United States and around the world, Rev. Peterson examines what repair really means—and what it takes to move from conversation to action. From racial justice and restorative justice to democracy, public policy, reconciliation, and community transformation, Reparations Nation goes beyond the headlines to ask the deeper questions about where we have been, where we are, and where we must go next. People. Policy. Power. Possibility. Listen. Learn. Engage. Join the conversation.

Episodes

  1. 1d ago

    Episode 7: Special Election Day: Tips for Black Voters for the Nov. Midterms, Nov. 3rd

    Welcome to Reparations Nation, the program where we examine the historical, moral, theological and democratic imperatives of Black reparations in America. I'm your host, Rev. Kevin Peterson. In this Election Day special, I want to discuss something that strikes at the very heart of American democracy: the continuing struggle over Black voting rights. And I want to raise a question that Americans seldom ask. Can a nation truly repair the injuries of slavery and racial discrimination while continuing to weaken the political power of the very people who suffered those injuries? My answer is that voting rights and reparations are inseparable. We trace the history of Black political exclusion, from slavery and Reconstruction to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Shelby County v. Holder, and this year's Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Callais. I introduce what I call the electoral reparative imperative for a new democracy. Then I close with seven practical tips for Black voters heading to the polls on Tuesday, November 3rd. "A voteless people are a voiceless people, but a people whose votes are systematically diminished also confront a profound injustice." – Rev. Kevin Peterson In this episode: 0:12 Welcome to Reparations Nation 1:17 The electoral reparative imperative for a new democracy 2:13 Black political exclusion, from slavery to Reconstruction 3:41 The struggle for the Voting Rights Act of 1965 4:23 Shelby County v. Holder 4:56 Louisiana v. Callais 7:24 Attorney Janai Nelson and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund 8:27 Democratic deprivation 9:34 Black Voters Matter and grassroots organizing 11:02 Iconic democracy and dynamic democracy 12:12 Reparations as a democratic technology 13:49 Protection, restoration and democratic empowerment 15:43 Where do we go from here? 17:24 The November 3rd, 2026 elections 18:54 A voteless people are a voiceless people 19:17 Seven tips for Black voters 19:31 Tip 1: The Black vote is a hard-won right 19:57 Tip 2: Know where you vote 20:23 Tip 3: Know your entire ballot 20:51 Tip 4: Stay in line. Don't walk away 21:19 Tip 5: Ask for a provisional ballot 21:42 Tip 6: Report voter intimidation 22:06 Tip 7: Voting rights are a reparative imperative Check your polling place and registration: vote.gov I'm the founder of the Boston People's Reparations Commission and author of the forthcoming book The Book of Reparations: Finding Our Way Towards a True Multiracial Democracy. We'll look for you on Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. And when you get a copy of this, pass it along. Register for the podcast and join the movement: https://revkevincpeterson.com/reparationsnationpodcast Reparations are not new. Reparations are due. Be a reparationist, and remember, victory is assured.

  2. 1d ago

    Episode 6: Election Day Special: The Reparative Justice of Protecting Black Vote

    Welcome to Reparations Nation, the program where we examine the historical, moral, theological and democratic imperatives of Black reparations in America. I'm your host, Rev. Kevin Peterson. In this Election Day Special, I want to discuss something that strikes at the very heart of American democracy: the continuing struggle over Black voting rights. And I want to raise a question that Americans seldom ask. Can a nation truly repair the injuries of slavery and racial discrimination while continuing to weaken the political power of the very people who suffered those injuries? My answer is that voting rights and reparations are inseparable. We trace the long history of Black political exclusion, from the three-fifths clause to Reconstruction, Jim Crow and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. We look at Shelby County v. Holder and at this year's Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Callais, handed down April 29th, 2026. We honor those carrying the fight today, including Janai Nelson of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and Cliff Albright, LaTosha Brown and Wanda Mosley of Black Voters Matter. And I introduce a new proposition: the electoral reparative imperative for a new democracy. "A voteless people are a voiceless people, but a people whose votes are systematically diminished also confront a profound injustice." – Rev. Kevin Peterson In this episode: 0:12 Welcome to Reparations Nation 1:17 The electoral reparative imperative for a new democracy 2:13 Black political exclusion from slavery to the three-fifths clause 2:56 Reconstruction and the white supremacist backlash 3:41 The struggle for the Voting Rights Act of 1965 4:23 Shelby County v. Holder 4:56 Louisiana v. Callais 6:18 The dissent: access to the ballot vs. the opportunity to elect 7:24 Attorney Janai Nelson and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund 8:26 Democratic deprivation 9:33 Black Voters Matter and grassroots organizing 11:01 Iconic democracy and dynamic democracy 12:11 Reparations as a democratic technology 13:48 Protection, restoration and democratic empowerment 15:42 Where do we go from here? 17:08 Reparative courage 17:24 The November 3rd, 2026 elections 18:54 Closing I'm the founder of the Boston People's Reparations Commission and author of the forthcoming book The Book of Reparations: Finding Our Way Towards a True Multiracial Democracy. We'll look for you on Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. And when you get a copy of this, pass it along. Register for the podcast and join the movement: https://revkevincpeterson.com/reparationsnationpodcast Reparations are not new. Reparations are due. Be a reparationist, and remember, victory is assured.

  3. 5d ago

    : Episode 5: Turner's Tenacious Faith on Black Reparations

    Special Guest: Rev. Dr. Robert Turner Can there be true reconciliation without restitution? And what does faith demand when injustice remains unaddressed? In this powerful episode of Reparations Nation, I welcome Rev. Dr. Robert Turner, pastor of Empowerment Temple AME Church in Baltimore and former pastor of the historic Vernon AME Church in Tulsa's Greenwood community. Dr. Turner has become a remarkable voice in the reparations movement, advocating for justice for the victims and descendants of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre and demonstrating extraordinary commitment through 40 monthly walks from Baltimore to Washington, D.C., demanding reparations. Together, we explore the intersection of Black faith, biblical justice, and the responsibility of religious institutions to move beyond words toward meaningful action. In this episode, we discuss: The biblical foundation for reparations and restitution.The lessons of Tulsa's Greenwood community.Dr. Turner's extraordinary walking campaign for reparations.The responsibilities of Black and white churches in addressing historical injustice.Why forgiveness must be accompanied by accountability.How faith communities can turn conviction into meaningful reparative action.This conversation challenges churches, faith leaders, and communities to consider an essential question: What does genuine repentance look like without repair? My sincere thanks to Rev. Dr. Robert Turner for his courageous leadership, faithful witness, and commitment to the ongoing struggle for justice. To find out more about Rev. Dr. Robert Tuurner visit https://www.etame.net/ Listen to Reparations Nation: https://revkevincpeterson.com/reparationsnationpodcast Learn more about The Book of Reparations: https://thebookofreparations.com Reparations are not new. Reparations are due. Victory is assured! Rev. Dr. Kevin C. Peterson Reparations Nation — The Podcast

About

Hosted by Rev. Dr. Kevin C. Peterson, Reparations Nation is a podcast exploring the people, policies, history, faith, and ideas shaping the movement for reparations and a more just democratic future. Through thoughtful conversations with leaders, scholars, advocates, faith voices, organizers, and change-makers from the United States and around the world, Rev. Peterson examines what repair really means—and what it takes to move from conversation to action. From racial justice and restorative justice to democracy, public policy, reconciliation, and community transformation, Reparations Nation goes beyond the headlines to ask the deeper questions about where we have been, where we are, and where we must go next. People. Policy. Power. Possibility. Listen. Learn. Engage. Join the conversation.