The Editor, Sir:

I write in reference to the arguments regarding reparations for slavery. Reparations are resources offered as indemnification for the commission of harmful acts. The concept of reparations deals with collective rights and responsibilities, as opposed to individual rights or guilt.

It would serve to reimburse, compensate and restore the descendants of slaves who suffer from the trans-generational effects of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Reparations would acknowledge the responsibility of the superordinated colonial powers and attempt to vitiate the damage caused by the historical legacy of disadvantage, subordination and exploitation that slaves and their descendants endured.

The damage may exist in a variety of contexts in the economic, political or social spheres, such as physical or mental harm, lost opportunities, material damage or loss of earning potential, harm to dignity, as well as loss of liberty or legal status. Moreover, reparations may serve to repair the damage of the effects that are still perpetuated systemically.

The effects of centuries of manifest institutional disadvantage through the slavery system and the corresponding unjust advantage gained by those who obtained undervalued and stifled labour of slaves, which led to large economic advantage and greater economic polarization, must be acknowledged. As such, countries that permitted, maintained and benefited from the slavery system should be held accountable and be required to compensate the collective victims. The damage based on social-psychological arrested development due to the suppression of culture, ethnicity, language and religion, the loss of identity, the inculcation of inferiority among the descendants of slaves, are particularly sensitive issues to be dealt with.

Should be monetary

Compensation for the injustices suffered by slaves should be monetary to address their subordinated economic status, which significantly limited their human potential. Monetary damage endured by the victims of slavery range from property rights, economic damage, to social-psychological damage, and political rights.

Slaves and their descendants were deprived of their inheritance which caused economic disadvantage, while the descendants of the slave-owners inherited the benefit derived from slavery, which properly belonged to the descendants of slaves. The descendants of slave-owners inherited the benefits of the system of slavery, and maintain the disparity making it more probable that they will enjoy greater material and cultural wealth based on ascription. However, this inheritance is encumbered with the debt incurred by the past actions.

The present generations need not necessarily apologize individually and they should not be punished for outrages they didn't commit. However, acknowledging the liability that accompanies the benefit and paying one's debts is not punishment. It is something that justice dictates be done as a matter of course. Since the present generations show no inclination to part with the considerable benefits and privilege they inherited, they ought to pay the debts associated with them to the descendants of slaves.

I am, etc.,

ANTONN BROWN

Brown.ant@gmail.com

Manchester