Mia McMorris | A step closer to reparatory justice

In this edition of Reparation Conversations, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the past few months. We are about to enter the second quarter of 2023, and with that, what feels like a new era for the reparation movement.

Since September 2022 there has been a ripple throughout the world. Reparations have been forthcoming from non-state actors, individuals, and institutions alike, and the coup de résistance, a state – the Dutch Prime Minister stood before the world and apologised! These momentous successes are the result of decades of dedicated effort by the organisations and individuals who make up the reparation movement. Without the education campaigns and activism we would not have swayed these states, individuals, and institutions to understand the need for reparatory justice. So let us look back on the big moments of the last few months!

First, we must acknowledge the forerunner in the state reparation movement, the Netherlands. Their decision in December marked a shift for us in the movement and for all former colonising nations. PM Mark Rutte shook up the world by announcing the formal apology and beginnings of reparatory justice from the Netherlands. Although it has drawn criticism, we cannot ignore the significance of this moment. Someone had to be first, and we hope that other states learn from this example. In a sense we may be seeing this soon! The announcement by King Charles III on April 7, stating that he would support the research into the British Monarchy’s historic link to the transatlantic trafficking in enslaved peoples shows an opening for the reparation movement. Now he did not say that the crown would be taking responsibility, but it is a start! We have known for some time about the direct connections between the British Monarchy and slavery in the Caribbean. We in the Caribbean need to get our material together to submit or resubmit our reparation demands!

Before we move on to the individuals and institutions, though, the US Reparation movement, though not yet at a national level, has also seen some considerable action. Cities across the country have been investing in the movement, forming reparation commissions to analyse and pursue reparatory justice for racist legislation and discrimination against people of African descent and Indigenous peoples. This investment has been successful in San Francisco, Evanston, and Providence, with financial reparations ranging from US$5 million to US$10 million although the disbursement method has not be ascertained. This initiative by cities has encouraged states like New Jersey, New York, and Illinois to consider revisions to legislation to address systemic racism. There is such a culture of inequality of the justice system when it comes to people of African descent and Indigenous peoples in the US that we must hope this evolves to the national level so that the pledge of ‘ liberty and justice for all’ can finally be true.

LONG WAY TO GO

The states still have a long way to go in terms of tangible reparatory justice, but we are seeing much more progress from the non-state actors. Last month, Director of the CRR, Professor Shepherd, presented on the subject of non-state actors in Reparation Movement at the 20th Annual Walter Rodney Symposium, “Repairing Historical Injustices: An Amplified Call for Reparations for All Peoples of African Descent & Reparative Justice For Walter Rodney.” In just the last few months, we have seen several institutions and individuals acknowledging their connection to the Transatlantic trafficking in enslaved peoples and their intention to provide reparatory justice. Cambridge University, through their ‘Legacies of Enslavement’ report, showed that the connection to slavery may be indirect, but the profit gained means something. With the publication of this report, other reparation campaigners have taken the opportunity to draw attention to other institutions and individuals who profited from the TTA.

Barbados called out British MP Richard Drax for his family’s continued colonial presence in the country and demanded immediate reparatory justice. In Scotland, reparation campaigners have finally succeeded in calling attention to the origins of the endowment by the merchant James Dick for education. The trust which to date holds approximately £1.8 million, was the product of profits made in Jamaica during slavery. By unveiling the origins of this trust to the wider public, campaigners have made reparation a topic for everyone. Now, people understand that this fund was ‘derived from the exploitation and misery of enslaved Africans’. The Moray Council, one of the towns that benefit from the Dick Bequest, has decided to end its association with the trust, stating, ‘It’s time to sever ties with the Dick Bequest and reiterate our request that the scheme be wound up.’

TANGIBLE REPARATORY JUSTICE

On the other hand, we have had some tangible reparatory justice with pledges from the Church of England, and the Trevelyan family of £100,000 each. The Guardian newspaper has also come forward to acknowledge their slavery heritage in the US and Jamaica. Of course these announcements were hit with criticism: the amounts weren’t enough; Who were they even doing this for, and at the core of it, why does this matter? We know how much their forebearers profited from the exploitation of our ancestors, so how can this paltry sum make up for the centuries of harm and trauma they endured? The truth is it can’t, but the intention, the call to action it provides does. These non-state actors are setting a precedent for reparation. By putting themselves on the line for criticism by their peers, they are encouraging a conversation, one that tells of the misery and injustice of slavery. By doing so, they are giving the reparation movement both an audience and substantial evidence to bring their case against states.

We are at a turning point for the movement. After decades of campaigning in the background, the reparation movement has some backative! Laura Trevelyan has retired from her position at BBC and joined the Caribbean in its campaign for reparation. Some money is going into public education and research on slavery. Every one of these moments over the last eight months have been essential, so we must press forward. People need to know that reparation is possible. We can get recognition for the hardships faced by our ancestors. There is a future where the cruelties of slavery are no longer swept under the rug, and it is in sight.

- Mia McMorris is a junior research fellow at the Centre for Reparation Research, The University of the West Indies. Send feedback to reparation.research@uwimona.edu.jm.