Intelligence Squared

The Sunday Debate: The West Should Pay Reparations For Slavery

Jan 29, 2023

Join Kehinde Andrews, a Professor of Black Studies, and Esther Stanford-Xosei, a dedicated reparations activist, as they passionately argue for reparations for slavery. They delve into the historical injustices and lingering economic disparities tied to slavery's legacy. Katharine Birbalsingh, headmistress of Michaela Community School, counters, emphasizing potential social tensions and the complexities of accountability. The debate explores whether acknowledging past wrongs can spur healing or reopen old wounds, making for a lively and provocative discussion.

01:08:16

Episode guests

Esther Stanford-Xosei

Katharine Birbalsingh

Kehinde Andrew

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

2min

Reparations and the Legacy of Slavery

18min

Debating Reparations: Guilt, Responsibility, and Empowerment

23min

Debating Reparations and Historical Injustices

3min

Navigating Colonial Legacies and Modern Investments in Africa

2min

Reparations: A Path to Justice

13min

Shifting Perspectives on Reparations: Debate Results Revealed

2min

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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