Caucasians United for Reparations and Emancipation (C.U.R.E.): A Collection of Publications and Organizational Ephemera, 1994–2005
Various cities: Various publishers, 1990s-2000s. A collection of three books and three pieces of associated ephemera documenting the activities of Caucasians United for Reparations and Emancipation (C.U.R.E.), an organization of white Americans advocating reparations for slavery, with particular emphasis on its collaboration with Black nationalist reparations activist Silis Muhammad and the international campaign for restitution through the United Nations.
Founded in 1992 by Ida Hakim, C.U.R.E. emerged from Hakim's correspondence with Silis Muhammad, leader of the Lost-Found Nation of Islam, who encouraged her to organize white Americans in support of reparations for descendants of enslaved Africans. Rejecting racial reconciliation without restitution, C.U.R.E. argued that white Americans bore a particular responsibility to acknowledge the historical and continuing consequences of slavery and to advocate material compensation and Black self-determination. Its founding participants included Hakim, Dorothy Blake Fardan, Len Moritz, and Jamil Hakeem, whose contributions formed the organization's first substantial publication in 1994.
C.U.R.E. subsequently became closely involved in Muhammad's campaign to bring African American reparations claims before international human rights bodies, obtaining consultative nongovernmental organization status with the United Nations in 1997. Through this relationship, C.U.R.E. facilitated the submission of statements and participation in UN proceedings concerning slavery, its continuing consequences, and the collective rights of African Americans. The organization subsequently also operated under the name All for Reparations and Emancipation (A.F.R.E.), while continuing to publish and organize under the C.U.R.E. name.
The collection traces the organization's development from its foundational political and historical arguments through its religious and international associations to its later efforts to mobilize white support for reparations. The books are complemented by ephemeral material documenting its organizational structure, public advocacy, fundraising, and relationships with other participants in the reparations movement.
Contents:
1. HAKIM, Ida; Dorothy Blake Fardan; Len Moritz; and Jamil Hakeem. Reparations, The Cure for America's Race Problem: A Collaborative Effort in Reparations Advocacy by the Founding Members of C.U.R.E. Hampton, Virginia: U.B. & U.S. Communication Systems, September 1994. First edition, first printing.
The organization's foundational publication, presenting a historical, political, religious, and moral argument for reparations. Includes Hakim's discussion of reparations as a remedy for American racism; Fardan's examination of the unfinished business of emancipation and the historical failure to compensate formerly enslaved Africans; Moritz's essay on reparations and repentance; and Hakeem's discussion of economic power and white separatism. With an introduction by H. Khalif Khalifah, appendices on the organization's reparations campaign and fundraising, and a statement supporting reparations by Black militant and civil rights activist Robert F. Williams. An early collective statement of C.U.R.E.'s ideological foundations and objectives.
2. HAKIM, Ida. I Bear Witness: Nation of Islam Theology From a Caucasian Viewpoint. River Forest, Illinois: C.M.C.I./Frontline Books, 1997.
An unusual interpretation and defense of Nation of Islam theology by C.U.R.E.'s white founder, written in her capacity as a self-described minister and ambassador to Caucasians in North America. Comprises open letters, religious reflections, prayers, and correspondence addressing the teachings of Elijah Muhammad and Silis Muhammad, interracial marriage, racial identity, and the spiritual and political responsibilities of white Americans. Particularly revealing of the religious convictions underlying Hakim's reparations activism and her close association with Muhammad's movement.
Accompanied by an original promotional flyer advertising the book, reproducing its cover and describing Hakim's work as a human rights activist and founder of C.U.R.E. The flyer additionally identifies her as coauthor of Reparations, The Cure for America's Race Problem and founder and editor of JustICE, JustUS, Justice Magazine.
3. HAKIM, Ida, editor. The Debtors: Whites Respond to the Call for Black Reparations. Red Oak, Georgia: Caucasians United for Reparations and Emancipation, June 2005. First printing.
An anthology of essays by white reparations advocates examining historical responsibility, white privilege, racism, Black land dispossession, incarceration, and opposition to reparations. Includes contributions by Larry Yates, Donna Lamb, Ida Hakim, Amy Kedron, Dorothy Blake Fardan, Molly Secours, Jerry Saltzman, Carol Chehade, and Mark Patrick George, with a foreword by Dorothy Benton Lewis of the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America (N'COBRA). Concludes with correspondence received by C.U.R.E. and Hakim's history of the organization. A substantial document of white participation in the reparations movement during a period of increasing national debate over restitution for slavery.
Inscribed on the title page by contributor Jerry Saltzman, who contributed the chapter "Reparations as a Vehicle for Reclaiming Our Humanity."
4. C.U.R.E./A.F.R.E.: We Stand in Support of Reparations for America's Descendants of Slaves. [River Forest, Illinois: C.U.R.E./A.F.R.E., ca. 1996–1997.]
An organizational brochure outlining C.U.R.E.'s founding in 1992, subsequent development, and involvement in the international reparations campaign of Silis Muhammad. Includes a statement of beliefs calling for restitution, Black self-determination, and acknowledgment of American responsibility for slavery and its consequences; descriptions of the organization's publications, speakers bureau, research initiatives, and international activities; and an appeal for contributions to the reparations "War Chest." Identifies Ida Hakim, Dorothy Blake Fardan, Suad Diaab, Betty Shafer, Ferrell Winfree, Khalid Kadar Hadi, and Ajani Mukarram among its associated speakers and activists. An informative contemporary account of the organization's early activities and ideological program.
5. News Update: Progress in the Reparations Effort. [C.U.R.E./National Commission for Reparations, ca. 1996.]
A two-page organizational report detailing Silis Muhammad's efforts to present African American reparations claims before the United Nations, beginning with the submission of a petition in 1994. Discusses subsequent lobbying in Geneva and contacts with international human rights representatives, while criticizing prominent Black political and reparations leaders for what the author characterizes as their insufficient support for Muhammad's international strategy. Also describes cooperation between C.U.R.E., the National Commission for Reparations, and the Lost-Found Nation of Islam, with an appeal for financial contributions to sustain the campaign. A revealing contemporary document of both the international ambitions and internal disagreements of the American reparations movement.
6. OZER, Irma Jacqueline. A Separate Peace: The Jewish Debt to African-Americans. [N.p., n.d.]
Two-page essay, numbered 16–17, apparently extracted from a larger publication, arguing that Jewish Americans bear a distinct responsibility to acknowledge anti-Black discrimination and participate in reparations. Drawing parallels with German restitution to Jewish victims of Nazi persecution, Ozer advocates acknowledgment of historical wrongdoing, Black–Jewish dialogue, and material restitution as the basis for genuine reconciliation. Includes contact information for the author through C.U.R.E.'s River Forest, Illinois, address. An example of the organization's engagement with questions of collective historical responsibility beyond its immediate constituency.
A cohesive assemblage of publications and ephemeral material documenting an unusual chapter in the modern American reparations movement, particularly the collaboration between white reparations advocates and Black nationalist organizations seeking international recognition of historical injustices. The organizational brochure and contemporary progress report are especially useful in reconstructing C.U.R.E.'s activities and its participation in the United Nations reparations campaign. Item #15449
Price: $500.00