I want to argue that reparations is actually a regressive step for black majority countries and black individuals. It mainly gives too much power and agency to white people. The father of black nationalism, Marcus Garvey argues that slavery was a mere interruption. If you look at their work, what they are actually arguing for is something completely opposite. In fact, they see it as a kind of way in which it's a continual kind of step backwards because white people are there and we are begging for money.
For this archive debate from 2019, we invited a panel of top speakers to discuss the motion: The West Should Pay Reparations For Slavery. Should there be a broad programme of reparations – not just financial compensation, but acknowledgement of the crimes committed and the lasting damage caused by slavery? Or would this just worsen social tensions by reopening old wounds? Arguing for the motion were Kehinde Andrews, Professor of Black Studies at Birmingham City University; and Esther Stanford-Xosei, reparations activist and lawyer. Arguing against the motion were Katharine Birbalsingh, headmistress and co-founder of Michaela Community School in London; and Tony Sewell, educational consultant and CEO of the charity Generating Genius. The debate was chaired by social historian, author and academic, Emma Dabiri.
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