Black Slave trade - It was 200 years ago. Who would pay who if "reparations" were to be made?

Question

Slavery is a terrible thing, and it is difficult to believe that human beings could have treated others human beings so badly. I can only imagine that it was out of ignorance, and that people did not realise or see that black people were just as human as them. The slaves suffered shocking treatment, and if they were alive today I would be the first to call for them to be paid for their pain and suffering.

But what is all this nonsense about reparations today. Who would pay?Who would be paid? The descendants? What about those who are mixed race? Do they pay themselves? There are more laws in the UK geared to protecting non whites than whites today. Black people are full members of society, and often cries of "racism" are unfounded. Some (not all) black people cry racism every time they fail to get a job or get treated badly by the police etc.. White people get the same treatment, but just accept it. We are all equal. Lets get on with the future and stop living in history!!

Andy S. Good point. Where would it end. If you go far enough back in history every nation has been treated badly, and most have treated others badly. lol

Reddie - The Katrina incident was terrible. Maybe the US have not come as far as the UK in equality? George Bush is giving the US a very bad name!

Answer 1

I agree. Whilst slavery was a terrible thing you can't keep blaming the British population for the sins of the forefathers. If reparation comes into force then I for one will be first in the queue for a handout from Italy for what the Romans did to my ancestors. LOL

Answer 2

Reparations is a nice idea...and I wish something like that was possible. I think though that it is time to move on from such an unfortunate time in our history. The devastating effects are still obvious everywhere but the best thing we can all do is help eachother overcome this. We all need to take a step back and really think about what we are saying and doing before we say or do it! I'm white (just tan not black like my avatar looks) and I am ashamed at what took place. I am even more ashamed to be associated with racist whites that are still stuck on those sick and twisted beliefs that we are somehow better than everyone else. I just do my part to change it...as small as it may be.

Answer 3

I agree completely about the barbarity an inhuman mindset of societies that employ slavery. Britain is one of a litany of such throughout the ages. However, as mentioned by other posters, the present generation can hardly be held responsible for the defects of ancestors 20+ generations ago.
I also notice a dearth of comments about the Arab complicity in that particular chapter of shame. They were the "Middlemen" in the organisation of it.You also have to consider the involvement of African tribes who captured and sold rival tribes into the system. I am not trying to dismiss or abrogate Britains involement but for crying out loud the population in the 21st century should not be demonised for something that happened in the 15th century.Don't forget that Britain was the first to abolish it also and blockaded american ships off Africa to stop them continuing it. It is about time the American decendants of slaves got on with their lives and the African countries that were affected rejoiced in the fact that the world is a more enlightened place now.

Answer 4

All of this weeping and wailing and blaming ourselves seems to have come out of the blue. Of course it was wrong and of course it was right that it was outlawed, but in any event there is a strong suspicion that it was actually black tribal elders that benefited equally by selling their own people to the slavers and that it couldn't have happened without their connivance.

Blair is quite happy to forgive Gerry Adams and martin McGuinness for thee sins they perpetrated on the people of this country only 20 years ago and admit them into Government.

Although it is only 65 years ago, the German people have been forgiven for what they did (even though some of the guilty are still alive) - any hint of blaming the current population for the Holocaust is firmly put down. Indeed, the main celebration of the 50th anniversary of the EU yesterday was held in Berlin.

What we did in the 1500s, roaming the high seas and actual as officially sanctioned pirates was wrong; our treatment of Catholics post Henry VIII was wrong; what we did to the Welsh and Scots in the 1100s was wrong. How far do you go back?

I am waiting for the descendants of Guy Faulkes to be compensated because his interrogation did not comply with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act.

Answer 5

people have had slaves since the very beginning of humanity
as long as half a million years ago

there were slaves in babylon 12.000 years ago
the Native American indios had slaves of conquered tribes
Arabs were raiding Africa for slaves100.000 years ago

today the slaves are imigrants ,especially the illegal ones and employees in the factories and companies but they are not called slaves any more .they are employees and get paid

the slaves in South Africa during Apartheid also got paid and got food and clothes ,and housing

some people mistreated their labor and some looked after them very well
taking as good care of them as with their animals
and some farmers would look well after his people ,

the same applied to the Romans and everybody else ,some people were mean to their slaves and others almost respected them and took good care of them sometimes rewarding them with freedom.

slavery is nothing New and the Americas were the last in line
Although there still exists a slave trade even today ,but it is hidden


becarefull the fascist aproach is returning ,through Christianity
America could have a second class citizen in the future ,as some of their leaders are hinting and Brittain is connected,to the same regime by blood

Answer 6

As others have suggested, blacks are not the only ones who were slaves; just about everyone has had their turn in the barrel at some point in history. That is, if you believe history-all history, not just the parts that interest you. In that case, anyone descended from a race or nationality that was made slaves is due some compensation.

Answer 7

And do the African chiefs who captured the men and women who were to be sold to the whites as slaves, pay up too?
Life was hard for everyone, but nothing was as bad as being a slave to a bad master, I agree. However, slaves were part of the way of the world - the Romans had slaves, the Egyptians had slaves, the Jews had slaves.
We have to move on and the descendent of those Negro slaves are very fortunate to be living in the USA and not in crime-ridden, AIDS torn Africa.

Answer 8

Well said.

There is also the matter of hundreds of thousands of whites kidnapped from the Cornish coast, I mean if were going to be fair about it, it should work both ways. It doesn't stop there, but thats not what you asked.

I do think the main perps such as the Sugar companies and the Church Of England should make reparations, not to decendants but to help people in similar circumstances, sex trafficing etc.

Answer 9

How can blacks get on with living, like the Katrina incident, how we were miss treated, and if you go back in history we are still waiting on our 40 acers and a mule, thats what we were promised over 200 years ago do the history. The US helped everyone else with their problems except for the blacks in New Orleans.

Answer 10

This is typical of the PC brigade, what are we doing apologising for things that were done 200 years ago. Personally the descendants of these slaves seem to have a better life than their people in Africa if the numbers that are trying to enter our country is any gauge. I personally do not feel any reason to pay anything to anyone.

The reason that these black descendants are pushing for apologies and the probability is that most are too lazy to work and would like the British tax payer to support them. Cone to think of it most African men are like that in their own countries.

I feel that with the comment of the Bishop of York Blair should now withdraw the apology.