Jamaica is demanding reparations from the United Kingdom for enslavement. Reparations are, of course, long overdue – but it might not be that simple.
The British enslaved and transported at least 600,000 Africans to Jamaica. While Jamaicans have created a rich culture, they’re still owed compensation for the enslavement of their ancestors.
They’ve requested $10.5 billion from the longest-reigning British ruler, Queen Elizabeth II – and have set a powerful example for Black Americans.
During the transatlantic slave trade, about 400,000 Africans were shipped to the U.S. Some people believe reparations would be unfair because no one from that time period is currently living – but descendants of slavers, and white Americans in general, actively benefit from the slave trade even today. So payments are justly owed!
But like the U.S., the British government might remain as stubborn as they have in the past.
When Britian abolished slavery in 1834, slavers no longer received free labor. So to compensate them, Britain paid over $20 million to SLAVERS – not the enslaved! Britain just finished making these payments six years ago.
Jamaica is leading by a strong example demanding overdue reparations. The forced blood, sweat, and tears of the enslaved built that country, the U.S., and many others – and monetary compensation is the least they can do.