Should the West Pay Reparations for Slavery?

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It would be impossible to make reparations work in any sensible or practical way. Giving people lump sums of money does not work, he says. Reparations might relieve white people of their guilt but it will do little else. Rather than give a man a fish, it is always better to teach him how to fish. All giving the fish does is make the giver feel better.

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.

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