March 29th 2024.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has spoken out in support of providing reparations to the descendants of enslaved individuals who were forcibly brought to the Americas during the transatlantic slave trade. In honor of the U.N. International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery on March 25th, Guterres released a statement acknowledging the deep-rooted impact of the past on current systems of discrimination and inequality.
According to Guterres, the transatlantic slave trade laid the foundation for a violent system of discrimination and white supremacy that continues to affect communities of African descent today. He emphasized the need for reparatory justice frameworks to address generations of exclusion and discrimination faced by these communities. This call for reparations is not a new concept, as a report released by the U.N. in September 2023 recommended that countries consider providing financial reparations to make up for the atrocities of slavery.
One organization working towards this goal is the Caricom reparations commission, which was formed to seek reparations from former colonial countries such as the United Kingdom, France, and Portugal. This includes not only monetary compensation, but also debt cancellations and support for public health crises. The Caribbean has been a strong advocate for reparations, with a recent poll showing that four out of ten people in the UK support financial compensation for the region, and three out of five believe a formal apology is necessary.
During his speech at the U.N. General Assembly, Chair of the Caricom reparations commission Hilary Beckles stated that providing reparations would represent a collective victory of humanity over evil. He highlighted the fact that over 12 million Africans were forcibly removed from their homelands and sold into slavery on American soil, with many enduring horrific conditions and being subjected to free labor. This history has had a lasting impact, with Guterres noting that descendants of enslaved Africans and people of African descent continue to face systemic discrimination and struggle for equal rights and freedoms.
The topic of reparations has gained traction in the United States as well, with some lawmakers pushing for legislation that would provide financial compensation to Black descendants of enslaved individuals. In 2023, the town of Evanston, Illinois became the first city in the U.S. to commit to providing reparations to its Black residents. And New York Representative Jamaal Bowman has put forth a federal bill that would distribute a one-time payment of $333,000 to every Black American as restitution for slavery. This bill, known as House Resolution 414, acknowledges the moral and legal obligation of the U.S. government to make amends for the injustices of the past and would distribute a total of $14 trillion to approximately 42 million Black Americans if passed.
In conclusion, the call for reparations for the descendants of enslaved individuals is gaining traction on both a global and national level. It is seen as a necessary step towards addressing the enduring impact of the transatlantic slave trade and working towards a more just and equal society for all.
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