Reparations in California: The Time Has Come – Guest Presenter: Donald Tamaki, with Rev. Susan Panttaja and Brian Shaw

Reparations in California: The Time Has Come

Guest Presenter: Donald Tamaki, with Rev. Susan Panttaja, Maggie Ingalls, and Brian Shaw

The California Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans was created in 2020. The Task Force was charged with studying the institution of slavery and its lingering negative effects on living African Americans, including descendants of persons enslaved in the United States and on society. The resulting 1,100-page report, which was issued in June 2023, is a remarkable document that presents the findings of the Task Force’s study and recommendations toward repairing the legacy of racial bias and oppression in California. This morning we are fortunate to have Donald Tamaki, a member of the Task Force, with us to explain their work and findings.

Donald K. Tamaki is a Senior Counsel at Minami Tamaki LLP. Prior to January 1, 2021, he was the firm’s Managing Partner. For over 40 years, Mr. Tamaki has specialized in providing value-driven legal counsel to entrepreneurs, privately-held companies, and nonprofit corporations. In May 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Mr. Tamaki to serve on the Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans.

Order of Service

Maggie Ingalls, Worship Associate; Brian Shaw, Musician

Welcome
Opening Words – “On the Brink” by Leslie Takahashi
Centering through Music — “Prelude” No. 2 by G. Gershwin
Chalice Lighting — Langston Hughes
Opening Hymn — #1000 “Morning Has Come”
Time for All Ages — Reparations–what do we do when we hurt somebody?
Singing Out the Children — #1057 “Go Lifted Up” –
Go lifted up, / Love bless your way, / moonlight, starlight / guide your Journey / into peace / and the brightness of day ]
Announcements
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Silence (one minute)
Musical Response — Improvisation
Offering — “Amazing Grace” by W. Walker
Message — Donald Tamaki
Closing Words – Mahatma Gandhi
Closing Hymn — Hymn of the Month – “I Lift My Voice” by Andrea Ramsey
Extinguishing the Chalice – We extinguish this chalice, but not the light of truth, the warmth of love, or the fire of commitment. These we carry in our hearts out into the world, until we meet again.
Benediction – “Departure” by Robin F. Gray