Here’s where the conversation around reparations stands in Fulton County

A community advocate and pioneer of Fulton County’s efforts for reparations shares why the conversation is important. FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Marcus Coleman has deep roots in the South. “My family moved here in 1975. My grandparents were the first homeowners in this area,” he shared, outlining why Fulton County is important to him.  For Coleman, Black liberation and social justice are personal. Growing up, he found his purpose through his own family’s hardship. “My family suffered some direct forms of racism, in the form of vandalism of our home, tomatoes thrown at our home on two different occasions,” he said, “and then a 30 ft. cross burned in the yard.” Fast-forward decades, and he’s now a community activist who fights to dismantle institutional racism and currently serves as the vice chair of the Fulton County Reparations Task Force. Part of that fight is forging tough conversations that demand action items connected to celebrations such as Juneteenth. “The holiday of Juneteenth is like bathing without soap and water,” he said. “Until reparations for slavery is issued, it is impossible for a person like myself to joyously celebrate Juneteenth.” He said the holiday needs action items backed by dollars as disenfranchisement...