December 2nd is the UN's International Day for the Abolition of Slavery. Over the past four decades relationships between Africa and Britain and the rest of Europe have undergone important shifts. Nonetheless, the past remains in significant respects unresolved. Many Africans feel that Europe owes Africa and Africans some form of acknowledgement of wrongs done, and some form of reparation for slavery and colonialism
2006-12-20 03:25:47 · 35 answers · asked by Wally B 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Who could make such a payment? The government represents those alive at present. I am not responsible for slavery and nor, in Britain, is anyone else alive. Therefore the government could not ethically authorise such payment.
Britain was instrumental in stopping the slave trade.
If the past remains unresolved then that is because people refuse to let it be resolved. Personally, having stayed in Africa and knowing many Africans I doubt that what you say is true about many Africans feel that Europe owes them reparation, no doubt there are some but then some people will seek any excuse for a sob story. And those Africans that do feel I owe them something are wrong.
2006-12-20 03:42:46 · answer #1 · answered by phoneypersona 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because the statue of limitations has run out. AND besides there's no one left alive that was harmed to pay it to.
What about the Africans who captured the people who were inslaved and sold to the Europeans? Shouldn't they be included in the deal? The Europeans just did the shipping. The Africans did the catching.
I'm not sure many would go along with this idea. I know I wouldn't. How about as reparations the Europeans repatriate the progeny of slaves back to Africa? Will that work for you?
2006-12-20 03:42:31 · answer #2 · answered by namsaev 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
How far back do you want to go? I do not mind paying a specific person for damages in court but you are talking about something generations ago where the people have all pased away. Should the people that were relatives of the US army under Lincoln be compensated for fighting and freeing the slaves? I think the free people of the world and if you are one, should be working hard to free others in the world- most of which are UN members. Most nations are still horrible dictatorships which is still being represented by most of the nations in the UN.
2006-12-24 00:27:50 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give me one good reason why I, a descendant from a poor Irish farming family, should pay anything towards reparation for slavery. On the same principal, UK should pay the people of the Irish Republic not only for colonialism, but for contribution to the Great Famine. We all have historical arguments with each other and the sooner the better the past is buried where it belongs. Slavery is over. Colonialism is almost over. African countries should be able to look after themselves with all the natural reserves they possess. However, many, many African people are still in bondage - not by slave owners, but by corrupt governments who steal from the poor to make themselves richer............. I do not think that there is any need to give examples - just stick a pin in a map of Africa.
Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year. God bless..........
2006-12-20 04:08:41 · answer #4 · answered by thomasrobinsonantonio 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Why? Where would Africa be without Europe. We have paid millions of pounds in aid to African Countries. Look at the post colonial mess Africa is in. Despotic dictators ruining the countries. How many post colonial countries have not had a civil war? Slavery was endemic in Africa before the Europeans arrived. Who will recompence the people of the south of England for their ancestors who were enslaved in North Africa in the 16th, 17th and 18 centuries? What about the people who were shipped to the colonies in virtual slavery by a corrupt majistrates system in the UK. The Highland Clearances, who pays the highlanders compensation? It is a ridiculous notion that I am responsible for events centuries ago and if I am not responsible then neither is my country.
2006-12-20 03:34:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
I suppose the answers kind of urinate on your parade. Britain has pumped Billions into Africa in Aid, think about Live Aid, think about Children in need. Think about all the Aid and millions in donations we have given to Africa. Now think about how many corrupt African countries leaders have squandered it and shared it between themselves and their cronies. I am not going to give you a penny over something my great great grandad may or may not have done. If I have to, I want something from Rome, Scandinavia, France. How much money has gone into Zimbabwe and how much has been wasted. I don't owe you anything and nor are you going to get it. I have a family to feed, cloth and house and since Gordon believes we should have 90% of our income taxed, I am up against the wall. In fact if anything Africa could do with a bit of Colonialism and Commonwealth help. Not only did we build your rails, give you infrastructure and education, but more important we stopped you fighting each other and that's why quite a few countries actually wanted to be ruled by the British. I am not and my country is not responsible for something which rightly or wrongly happened over 100 years ago, so stop asking for handouts, and get on with working for a living. I don't ask for handouts or charity. Tony Blair has already stupidly apologised and if he gives you more, that would beggar believe.
2006-12-21 01:14:59 · answer #6 · answered by jimmy two times 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
And who does that money go to? All African nations. What about all the African tribes who sold other African tribes into slavery. The European slave trade would not have been as successful if Africans didn't help them. If you want to get money for the wrongs of European ancestors, than shouldn't the Africans give that money to the American blacks and blacks in the West Indies. And a few of those blacks were slave owners too.
Europeans owe a lot of people a lot of things, but a big pay day is not the answer. And no way are Africans at the front of the line if there is a pay day.
2006-12-20 03:37:40 · answer #7 · answered by The Teacher 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Get stuffed! "Many Africans feel that Europe owes Africa and Africans some form of acknowledgement of wrongs done, and some form of reparation for slavery and colonialism" Why the f*** should people alive today pay for the mistakes of their ancestors? Shall I make a claim against the British government for injustices done to my Irish and Scottish Highlander ancestors? I have French ancestors who had to flee during the Franco-Prussian war, shall I ask Germany for some cash?
What did Tony Blair do recently? Apologised for the slave trade FFS! No one said thanks to Britain for ending it though. Why don't you ask some of the Arab countries for reperations, they carried it on for far longer than any European country. And on which continent is slavery still practised? A clue, it aint Europe...
2006-12-20 05:47:13 · answer #8 · answered by Mark J 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
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2016-10-05 13:18:04 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well before considering reparations, how about stopping the bombs! France just dropped bombs on Darfur and has killed or injured quite a few civilians.
I think that any distribution of funds should be used in making sure that different tribes don't kill each other such as in Rwanda. The tutsis and hutus were created by the Europeans, divide and conquer...well all that dividing and conquering in the past have created a lot of the issues today. Uusually one group wants to erradicate the other due to economic advantage and/or years of being in a higher class.
2006-12-20 03:39:45 · answer #10 · answered by gotham158 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋