It is undisputed that well after slavery was abolished in the US, African Americans faced discrimination, and unequal treatment at the hands of government, private companies, universities and other organizations solely on the basis of race.

That legacy of racism still affects people of color in America causing debilitating economic, education and health hardships. If you feel you deserve reparations, schedule a complimentary consultation to discuss the details of your case.

“The history of Black land-taking should be at the center of the reparations debate.” – Professor Andrew Kahri

Addressing the legacy of slavery and racism in the US and paying reparations is the most pressing civil rights issue of the 21st century.

Congressional bill H.R. 40 specifically points to high incarceration of Black Americans as well as the striking racial wealth gap in the US. According to the Federal Reserve’s 2019 Survey of Consumer Finances, the median wealth for white families is $188,200 compared to $24,100 for Black families.

Martin & Martin’s reparations practice focuses on the restoration of land that was lost by African Americans, Indigenous and other people of color over decades through fraud, deception, force, violent attacks, the manipulation of property tax laws, discriminatory practices, unethical and race-based appraisals, assessment spikes, tax sales, partition sales, redlining, racially restrictive covenants, and outright force.

Our Expertise Includes:

  • Devalued home appraisals on the basis of race
  • Historical loss of land due to race or racially discriminatory polices
  • Mortgage discrimination
  • Lending discrimination
  • Housing discrimination

The Journey to Reparations

Millions of acres of land owned by African Americans and Indigenous people was stolen from them by local, state and national governmental entities and in some instances, major corporations, universities and other entities. Up until recently, families dispossessed from their land believed they had no recourse. With the successful return of four parcels of beach front property in Manhattan Beach, California to the descendants of Charles and Wila Bruce who lost the property to a deceptive imminent domain action by the city of Manhattan Beach, the reparations program establishing housing grants for African Americans in Evanston, Illinois, and the passage of a California law creating a statewide reparations task force, helping families regain possession of their land, or the value of the land, is now possible.

Our Integrated Legal, Political and Community Approach

Martin & Martin uses an integrated approach to helping you evaluate if you are the heir to land that was stolen. Our lawyers work with renowned economists, genealogists, communications professionals and other experts to help you make a legal and political case for restitution and restoration of your ancestors’ land.

Housing Discrimination

Federal law makes it illegal to discriminate against someone because of race, color, religion, sex (including gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and sexual harassment), familial status, national origin or disability at any stage of the mortgage process. That law also prohibits discrimination in all aspects of “residential real-estate related transactions,” including but not limited to:

  • Making loans to buy, build, repair, or improve a dwelling
  • Purchasing real estate loans
  • Selling, brokering, or appraising residential real estate
  • Selling or renting a dwelling

The Fair Housing Act (FHAct) prohibits discrimination based on:

  • Race or color
  • National origin
  • Religion
  • Sex
  • Familial status (defined as children under the age of 18 living with a parent or legal custodian, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under 18)
  • Handicap

Practicing with Integrity

At our law firm, we believe that everyone deserves access to justice. We are committed to working with our clients to ensure that they receive the reparative justice they deserve. If you or someone you know has had your or your ancestors’ land stolen, fraudulently taken or devalued on the basis of race or ethnicity, you need experienced civil rights attorneys and politically savvy advocates. You need the team at Martin & Martin.