From the earliest days of our country’s founding, and continuing for over 200 years, black slavery has been a blight on American history. Incidences of abuse, degradation, torture, and capital crime were widespread and, shamefully, generally ignored by both the government and the public at large.

Now, more than 150 years since the abolition of slavery, an increasing number of U.S. citizens — both black and white — as well as legislators from all parts of the country, are seeking reparations programs that would compensate black Americans whose ancestors were slaves.

This month’s Roundtable will explore the concept of such reparations and the challenges of putting them into practice.

Once each month, on Sunday mornings, the Westchester Community for Ethical Culture offers a forum for discussion and debate on a wide variety of topics – some controversial, some vexing, some puzzling, but all requiring careful examination in an ethical context. This series is known as the Living Ethics Roundtable.

It is open to WCEC members and non-members alike; there is no fee, nor any requirement to participate other than a willingness to exchange thoughts and opinions with respect and civility.

The format for the Living Ethics Roundtable sessions is simple:

We begin at 10:30 a.m. with a light, mid-morning refreshment – coffee, tea, pastries.

At 11 a.m., we gather in the large meeting room for a brief orientation to the day’s topic, and to distribute worksheets for discussions that will follow.

We then divide into two or three groups – the roundtables. Each roundtable group is moderated by a designated facilitator.

The discussions are planned to last approximately 45 minutes. Participants then reconvene in the large meeting room to share highlights and conclusions of the roundtable discourse.

Please come – Your voice and opinions are important!!!!