The Confederacy and Slavery

2min Snip

00:00

Play full episode

Summary

Transcript

Episode notes

People of all colors owned slaves, both as part of the atlantic slave trade and outside of it. The enlightenment imposed the concept of race on a practice that had been going on for centuries in order to justify that practice. After all, we need to remember that governments did not own slaves. Slave howners did. In fact, the us. Government fought a war to end slavery. How much should the descendants of the 400 thousand union soldiers who lost their lives fighting to free the slaves pay to the descendant of the slaves they freed? It's bizarre to suggest that human beings should inherit the outrage of the deeds of their parents.

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? That's the theme of this week's Sunday Debate. 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 and presenter Emma Dabiri.

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/intelligencesquared.

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices