Forgive slavery, forget reparations?
Posted: Saturday, January 6, 2007

Forgive slavery, forget reparations

by Barbara Makeda Blake Hannah, Jamaica Gleaner

"I have been an ardent supporter of the Rastafari call for reparations, ever since becoming a Rastafarian 30 years ago. In recent years, especially after attending the 2001 United Nations Conference Against Racism in Durban, I became one of the leading Jamaican spokespersons on reparations, and part of the large international group calling attention to the crime of African enslavement in the Americas and the still-existing trauma that resulted across the diaspora."

"I know this will seem shocking to many, but I see that as Jesus of Nazareth recommended, I should forgive those who did us wrong and even 'turn the other cheek' if necessary.

This enlightenment came after a meeting with a white Jamaican friend with whom I have been doing business happily for more than 10 years. As we chatted, waiting for a document to be copied by his assistant, he took up my copy of The Gleaner and read the Letters Page. Two letters caused him to comment explosively: "Apologise? For what?" and "Black apology for slavery? Hogwash!" (December 11, 2006). His angry agreement with the opinion that whites today have nothing to apologise for, and that Africans bore greater responsibility for our enslavement, caused me to start my customary reply when confronted with these arguments."
Full Article : jamaica-gleaner.com

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Comment by Ayinde

She is clearly deluded and lacks consciousness of the issues surrounding Reparations.

Very few people have the insight to see the big picture within the Reparations issue.

People often promote people to the frontline of a struggle only to have them use their position of influence to betray the movement.

It is common to have people in the frontline of Black Movements who do not understand the issues because most people themselves are not sufficiently informed to ask the right questions and challenge the leadership in all Black African organizations.

Very often these organizations are not addressing important issues like colorism and the role of whites in their movements. They prefer to just put on a show of togetherness. People need to especially challenge those organizations with Black African and white alliances, Rastafarian or otherwise, that claim to be working for the well being of Black Africans.

Blind support is dangerous support.
 

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