The Cost of Inheritance Screening at The Wright

On April 4th, the Center for Social Solutions, in partnership with U-M Poverty Solutions and the U-M Detroit Center, hosted a thought-provoking screening of The Cost of Inheritance. The event aimed to shed light on the complexities and challenges surrounding reparations for descendants of enslaved Africans on a local and national level.

The event began with opening remarks from Neil Barclay, President of the Charles H. Wright Museum, who highlighted the vital role of cultural institutions like The Wright in fostering dialogue, education, and advocacy around issues pertinent to African American communities. By providing a platform for such discussions, the museum continues its commitment to promoting education, empowerment, and social justice.

The one-hour PBS documentary delved into various facets of reparations in the United States with the use of personal stories, scholarly research, and rich archival materials. Noted speakers address the cumulative impact that Reconstruction, Black Laws, Jim Crow, modern-day violence, and discrimination added to divergent wealth trajectories and opportunities firmly rooted in the system of enslavement. Individuals seeking to bridge our human divide share their reparations quests and we begin to understand the myriad of initiatives already happening across the country on local, state & national levels to make reparations a reality. 

Earl Lewis, founding director of the Center for Social Solutions, wrapped up the film by illuminating the connection between The Cost of Inheritance and the CSS-housed Crafting Democratic Futures project, which presently continues the work of community-based reparations with nine partner institutions across the country. 

Afterward, the event transitioned to a panel discussion moderated by CSS associate director, Alford Young, Jr. The panel featured Darryl Ford Williams, Executive Producer of The Cost of Inheritance, Kamri Hudgins, a doctoral candidate in Political Science at the University of Michigan, Jasmine Simington, a joint doctoral candidate in Sociology and Public Policy at The University of Michigan, and Alize Asberry Payne, Racial Equity Officer for Washtenaw County. The interdisciplinary panel discussed attitudes and perceptions of reparations from their respective fields in media, research, and government. They offered crucial insight and inspiration to Detroit community members in the audience looking to get involved in reparations themselves. 

The event concluded with a meaningful Q&A session between the panelists and audience members and a light reception where the attendees were able to connect with one another. Overall, The Cost of Inheritance documentary screening at the Charles H. Wright Museum proved to be a compelling and enlightening event, prompting attendees to consider the role each one of us has inherited in the fight for reparations.