THE ISSUE of reparation or economic compensation for slavery will be the focus of this year's 10th renewal of the annual Churches Emancipation Lecture. The presentation will be delivered by Senior Lecturer in the Department of History at the University of the West Indies, Dr. Veront Satchell.
The lecture and accompanying cultural presentation will be held on Sunday, July 27, at the Bethel Baptist Church, 6 Hope Road in Kingston, starting at 4 p.m. It is one of the activities to mark Jamaica's freedom from slavery and the continuing struggle for emancipation from all forms of bondage. The theme of the annual lecture series is 'Emancipation the Lesson and the Legacy'.
The lecture will discuss the universal call for reparation (compensation and restitution) to redress the social and economic imbalances resulting from slavery within the former slave societies. Dr. Satchell will discuss the demands by some social groups that suffer today because of slavery or other severe racist practices. These groups have been demanding that compensation from the colonial governments and the corporate beneficiaries of slavery.
Dr. Satchell is a specialist in Caribbean economic history, and is engaged in teaching and research on historical themes related to the slave economy and its modern economic consequences. He is a former Commonwealth research fellow, and author of the book 'From Plots to Plantations: Land Transactions in Jamaica 1866-1900'.
DISTINGUISHED PRESENTATIONS
Dr. Satchell's lecture this year will follow other distinguished presentations since the series began in 1994. Last year's presenter was the Principal of Knox College, Rev. Dr. Gordon Cowans. Other former presenters include Professor Rex Nettleford, Rev. Dr. Horace Russell, Dr. Erna Brodber, Professor Errol Miller, Dr. Olive Lewin, Professor Barry Chevannes, Professor Rupert Lewis and Professor Verene Shepherd.
Printed copies of the lecture will be available at the venue on the day of the event. Representatives of the religious community, educational institutions, the diplomatic corps, Government, the Opposition and members from a wide cross-section of the public are expected to attend.
