By Jamannie Morgan
AFRO Intern
jmorgan@afro.com
For 40 months, Rev. Robert Turner has diligently walked nearly 43 miles from Baltimore to the White House in Washington, D.C.
He has walked in the rain, stayed the course when facing sleet and even trudged along in the snow. He has done it without sponsors, without security and certainly without pay.
“I’m inspired by my faith and by the memory of our people who have given everything to this nation from our bodies, our minds, our talent, our resources and this nation has yet to repair the damage,” said Turner.
The pastor’s monthly journey served as a public act of advocacy for reparations and remembrance. He says each walk was done to honor African Americans who “have never been paid, never been recognized, never received reparations for building this nation.”
Some walks include a stop at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, also known as the “Blacksonian.”
There, he laid wreaths in a solemn ceremony.
“At a time when our history is being called negative or depressing, I laid that wreath in solidarity with our history, to remind America that God has not forgotten what has happened to Black people,” said Turner.
For him, the museum represents more than remembrance. It is spiritual symbolism.
“Where America seems to have forgotten what we’ve gone through,” he said, “God has not forgotten. And God will bring reparations.”
The monthly demonstrations, done in a single day, significantly impacted the faith leader’s mind and body. Rev. Turner is candid about the cost.
“With shoes on, I’m 6-foot-6,” he said. “I’m not a marathon runner. I don’t have a walker’s physique. It’s the most physically painful thing I’ve done–my knees, my feet, my back– it’s painful.”
The physical pain was one thing–but then came the emotional toll.
Turner endured racial slurs shouted from passing vehicles. Drivers intentionally splashed him with dirty puddle water. He has been struck by vehicles and faced criticism both from strangers and, at times, members of his own community.
Despite the hostility faced, Turner says the most powerful moments came from unexpected places.
There were white allies who limped alongside him in solidarity. Homeless individuals offered encouragement, and people from different races, religions and backgrounds took part in the walks.
“I walk with no weapon, no security detail,” he said. “Through some of the most dangerous areas in Maryland and D.C. And I’ve never had a problem from the people on the street. Ever.”
For him, that grassroots respect carries weight.
“When you get love from the street, from people who don’t know you, that means something,” he said. “It tells you somebody sees that they’re worth walking for.”
Turner argues that federal reparations legislation is essential to justice in America.
The bill would establish a federal commission to study the lasting impacts of slavery and systemic discrimination and explore potential remedies.
“We’ve had commissions to study everything,” Turner said. “We’ve studied 9/11, we’ve studied outer space, but we’ve never had a commission to study America’s original sin.”
He lists slavery, Jim Crow, redlining, mass incarceration and the war on drugs as interconnected systems that have never been formally addressed through federal repair.
“H.R. 40 could help remedy a lot of the ills that we are inflicted with,” he said.
While Turner emphasizes federal policy reform, others see investment in the community as equally critical.
Ashley David, a student at Morgan State University, believes reparations are attainable but may require a focus on a broader definition of justice.
“Reparations, such as policy reform, have been done before,” David said. “But when it comes to slavery and systemic racism, everyone has a different perspective about what justice looks like.”
David believes meaningful reparations should focus on community investment. In her view, “money going toward a community instead of just an individual guarantees that it’s being spent on something important.”
David said Turner made a “bold decision” when he made the choice to spotlight the issue of reparations for Black people.
Throughout the country, Turner has garnered support over the years. Now, he says his mission is much larger.
Turner told the AFRO that his 40th walk to the White House, completed last month, was his last monthly march.
He plans to continue the D.C. walk annually, but his vision has evolved.
“My goal is to walk to every state capital in the nation,” he said. “This is going nationwide.”
After completing 40 walks, symbolizing “40 acres” and justice deferred, Turner says he feels called to expand.
Rev. Kevin Slayton, a Baltimore pastor who has joined portions of the walk, agrees that expanding the effort beyond the Maryland and D.C. area would elevate the movement.
“Historically, this type of civic engagement has always had an impact, particularly for our community,” Slayton said. “By taking it beyond the state, it grants a higher profile and brings awareness to Black communities where nobody is really working on reparations issues.”
Rev. Slayton noted that such movements don’t always produce results immediately but lays the foundation for it to grow significantly over time.
“People won’t always appreciate what he’s doing today,” Slayton said. “But further down the road, they will.”
Both Slayton and David said younger generations will play a vital role in the movement’s growth.
“The greatest role they can play is educating themselves,” Slayton said. “People don’t have to steal anything from you that you don’t know is yours. You just give it away.”
David said social media can be a tool to amplify awareness.
“It gets the word out to others,” she said. “That’s how we connect nowadays.”
Even with plans to expand the cause, Turner makes it clear the walks have never been about publicity, but for the people.
“They may not even live anymore, the people I’m walking for,” he said. “But I do it in their memory. It’s going to take more work, but I know God will provide.”