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The CARICOM Reparations Commissions reparations plan is inadequate

Sep 05, 2024 Letters

Dear Editor,

With reparations in the U.S. beginning to gain traction, CARICOM needs to pay close attention and act with a sense of urgency. Many U.S. reparations initiatives call for compensatory justice to the descendants of the aggrieved. I would argue that the CARICOM Reparations Commissions (CRC) current ten-point plan for reparatory justice (caricomreparations.org) does not explicitly and unequivocally call for direct monetary compensation to the descendants of Caribbean slavery and colonisation. For context, the CRC’s ten-point plan includes 1) Full formal apology, 2) Indigenous peoples development programmes, 3) Funding for repatriation to Africa , 4) The establishment of cultural institutions and the return of cultural heritage, 5) Assistance in remedying the public health crisis, 6) Education programmes, 7) The enhancement of historical and cultural knowledge exchanges, 8) Psychological rehabilitation as a results of the transmission of trauma, 9) The right to development through the use of technology, and 10) Debt cancellation and monetary compensation. Practically everything in this ten-point plan is an indirect benefit that would not make a significant or lasting impact on the everyday life of descendants of Caribbean slavery and colonisation. I implore you to read the ten-point plan in its entirety.

What was the purpose of slavery and colonisation? Simply put, the purpose was for the intentional maldistribution of land, wealth, and resources from the slave/colonised to the slave owner/coloniser. When we look at the CRC’s ten-point plan, it does not adequately and unquestionably address this maldistribution. Our ancestors were enslaved and colonised to generate wealth for Europe through their forced labour. That wealth continues to be passed down generation after generation, while the descendants of Caribbean slavery and colonisation are mostly passed down poverty generation after generation. Look at the economic disparity between countries in Western Europe (victimizers) and countries of the Caribbean (victims). Virtually all economic deprivation in the Caribbean can be directly linked to European slavery and colonialism.

The root word of reparations is repair. To repair is to fix, amend, or make good. How do you fix, amend, or make good to the descendants of Caribbean slavery and colonisation? You either give back what was taken or compensate for it. What was taken from us? Ignoring the psychological, emotional, and spiritual aspects, we were robbed of land, wealth, and resources. The descendants of Caribbean slavery and colonisation need to be financially compensated for what was taken century after century, in addition for the atrocities committed against our ancestors. Anything else is just “putting lipstick on a pig”.

I want you to imagine that you weren’t paid any wages from your employer for an entire year despite working. Similarly, imagine that you dropped dead tomorrow. Would a full formal apology (point #1) from your employer to your kids be suitable for you? I’m positive you would want your kids to be financially compensated for your year of working. Likewise, how does education programmes (step #6) benefit our elders, like my 98-year-old grandmother, or those who decide to opt-out of traditional education? In point #10, debt cancellation and monetary compensation, the CRC further states “…and direct monetary payments where appropriate…”. This is vague and not distinct enough. Furthermore, every point, excluding #1 (full formal apology) requires CASH MONEY. It makes more sense to just give descendants of Caribbean slavery and colonisation direct cash payments. Though I understand the spirit of the CRC’s ten-point plan, it would be nonsensical and irresponsible to not clearly call for financial compensation to every descendant of Caribbean slavery and colonisation. We need to hold the CRC accountable to push for compensatory justice. We may only have one opportunity for reparations and we need to make sure we get it right. We owe it to our ancestors and our progeny to be uncompromising in this demand.

Regards,

Jamie Pearson

Treasure Beach, Jamaica 

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