Reparations meeting last night. Reinstate Kevin Brown tomorrow? Let's hope so.

Last night, the city of Evanston was pumped with adrenalin as the historic town hall meeting on reparations drew more than 600 people and all manner of media to First Church of God. The meeting and the very push for reparations to Evanston's Black residents have been championed by Ald. Robin Rue Simmons--and the reparations resolution passed City Council by a vote of 8-1.

It's against that backdrop that we need to remember: reparations is about compensation. Yes. But it's also about atonement, and restoration, about restorative justice and about understanding the truth about Evanston's history of racial oppression and the continuing struggle of Black residents in Evanston.

It's about what we do every single day to make things right, to make things better, to make things just, to make moral decisions, to rethink business as usual.

And that's why many, many community members are waiting anxiously and with hope that Kevin Brown will be reinstated as Manager of the City's Youth and Young Adult Division, after being fired on truly baffling grounds.

According to Brown and his attorney Shawn Jones, they are expecting to hear interim City Manager Erika Storlie's decision this week. Which leave us with ... tomorrow.

Please read Jonah Meadows' report from earlier today about another City Council member, Cicely L. Fleming, 9th Ward Alderwoman, who is committed to changing the status quo in Evanston--and how the Mayor and the City attorney incorrectly blocked her motion to direct staff to draw up a resolution in support of Kevin Brown as he appeals his termination over parking ticket-related allegations.

If you haven't yet, please send an email to Erika Storlie asking her to reconsider her decision to fire Kevin Brown: estorlie@cityofevanston.org