H.R. 40, introduced in 1989 by Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.), argues that sufficient inquiry has not been made into the effects of slavery on American society. The bill demands an official investigation into the impact of four centuries of forced black servitude. If ever government did decide to take "forceful steps"--even baby steps--against racism, H.R. 40 seems like a logical place to start. After all, it doesn't matter whether you agree that the descendants of slaves are owed reparations or that slavery continues to handicap blacks now. If you take the issue seriously, how can you argue that it doesn't at least merit investigation?

But Congress won't even bother with the debate. The bill has been reintroduced in every session at Congress since 1989. Each time, it's set aside until next session. However, support is still trickling in. H.R. 40 has garnered endorsements from 31 co-sponsors and grassroots organizations, including the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparation for African-Americans (N'COBRA). "We were promised 40 acres and a mule and $50," explained Nia 1. Kuumba, a member of N'COBRA's Board of Directors in Washington, D.C. "H.R. 40 would affirm the right to acquire what is due."

Conyers' aides reiterate that H.R. 40 is not a bill for reparations. It asks only that we check out the problem. Granted, many of the bill's supporters believe that, if the subject was fully investigated, evidence would conclude that reparations are due. But for now, they're asking only for one "forceful step" at a time.

Certainly, precedents for reparations have been set among other groups, most notably the lawsuit filed against German industries like Volkswagen on behalf of Jewish workers forced into WWII concentration camps. The lawsuit was filed one month after three of Switzerland's biggest banks agreed to pay $1.25 billion to settle a similar lawsuit over assets belonging to Holocaust victims that were never returned.

Supporters of H.R. 40 are urging folks to bombard their Congressmen with letters. Perhaps your first letters should be addressed to black members of the House who have remained non-committal about the bill. Most notably, Congressional Black Caucus leader, Rep. Maxine Waters, an outspoken defender of black interests. When reached at Congresswoman Waters' office in Washington, D.C., her aides refused to explain her failure to support H.R. 40, saying only that the CBC leader hadn't reviewed the bill since February.

Even legislators as righteous as Rep. Waters are shook because probing America's closeted skeletons could disclose the full extent to which the federal government supported the institution of slavery. It could also prove that the United States government is directly responsible for the present condition of black Americans. Most of all, it might finally provide us with the official paperwork to receive the Big Payback.