Obie Wilchcombe: We must seek reparations

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

SOCIAL Services Minister Obie Wilchcombe says he believes Caribbean countries should seek reparations, noting that many who contributed to Britain’s economic growth have still not been recognised to date.

“Yeah, we must,” Mr Wilchcombe said on Friday when asked his views on seeking reparations.

“When you think about it, many contributed and many were a part, were defending the Union Jack and they gave their lives and many have lived in the UK since and have been there and still have not been given the recognition they deserve, so, yes, the argument is reasonable, and the argument must be considered and I think that we have made progress.”

He also noted that the topic will probably be highlighted at the next CARICOM meeting.

“I think that it’s going to happen just a matter of time,” Mr Wilchcombe added.

“I think what you’re going to see is the next sessions of CARICOM (and) CARICOM will be held in The Bahamas next year as well, you’re going to see Commonwealth meetings and you’re going to see the focus because the voice is louder now today than it was before.”

Calls for reparations from Britain along with the monarch’s removal as head of state have reignited in some Caribbean countries in the wake of Queen Elizabeth II’s death and her son, King Charles III’s, accession to the throne.

In his speech to leaders at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Rwanda in June, then Prince Charles acknowledged the crimes of slavery and its devastating legacy and expressed deep sorrow over it.

In view of King Charles’ recent comments, some believe that his accession to the throne creates an opportunity for Caribbean leaders to advance discussions on reparations.

When asked about his thoughts on the matter, Mr Wilchcombe said he agreed.

“Well, I agree,” he told reporters, “and you know it takes a big man and organisation to reflect and to be able to say that we were wrong and that’s an admittance that we were wrong and think about what the Queen did, when the Queen was able to travel to South Africa and to be able to bring pieces together,” he said

“The critical thing about life is not the mistakes you made, but how you’re able to rise up and amend and to be able to correct the mistakes you made because nobody’s perfect.

“Circumstances, I suppose at those times, led to certain things but it’s not accepted now and as the world has come to a particular level of knowledge and education and it’s not accepted by the generation of today so for the King to stand up for the Prince (William) when he was here and to speak to issues that have for long troubled many, I think that’s a major move and obviously supported by all of us, in the Caribbean and certainly the Commonwealth.”

The Bahamas has a National Reparations Committee that was formed in 2013 in accordance with the CARICOM reparations committee.

The body advocates for reparations from former colonial powers.

Back in March, the committee spoke out against Prince William and Kate Middleton’s visit to The Bahamas, taking issue over the fact that the trip was funded in part by Bahamian taxpayers.

“The BNRC asserts that we as Bahamians must have a clear understanding of what this trip truly means,” the body said. “We are not beholden to the British monarchy in any way and we do not owe them a debt of gratitude for anything - not for our culture, religion, or system of governance. Instead, the monarchy has looted and pillaged our land and our people for centuries, leaving us struggling with under-development, left to pick up the pieces.”

The committee is chaired by Dr Niambi Hall Campbell-Dean. She met with Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell in February to update him on its work.

Noting that reparations are important for the country, Mr Mitchell said he was looking forward to the committee’s work in the future.

Comments

joeblow says...

... why seek reparations from the British only, why not seek reparations from African tribes who sold captured slaves into slavery? Why not seek reparations from blacks who owned and bred slaves? In fact, why not go after the ancient Egyptian, Roman, Babylonian and Greek societies that also had slaves, some of whom may be our ancient ancestors?

History shows blacks were never the only people who were enslaved, they were the most recent to be emancipated from it. Slavery still exists in many Muslim countries. Its time to move on to real issues like reducing out national debt by controlling government spending!

Posted 12 September 2022, 5:07 p.m. Suggest removal

rosiepi says...

You’d be wise to read the history of the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
No African nation could ever hope to emulate the numbers enslaved by the English, Portuguese and Dutch.
12.5 million Africans (approx 10 million survived the voyages) were shipped west with the English and Portuguese accounting for 7 out of 10 of those voyages.
The presence of the Dutch Indies Companies, the East India Co and the Portuguese drove the increased demand from African slavers.
And that’s just the Western Hemisphere.
Your argument is an old one that has never stood the test of time or history.

Posted 12 September 2022, 10:40 p.m. Suggest removal

LastManStanding says...

The East African slave trade was just as big, the Arabs were simply smart enough to castrate the ones that they took. You are also completely ignoring the fact that kingdoms such as the Dahomey were built entirely off of the Transatlantic slave trade; you need to go ask Benin for reparations as well if you are going to beg the UK. The slave trade was a business with buyers and sellers.

Posted 12 September 2022, 11:56 p.m. Suggest removal

bcitizen says...

Imagine the reparations bill Italy faces for the over 1000 years of Rome's millions of enslaved peoples from Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. When we getting checks?

Posted 13 September 2022, 7:53 a.m. Suggest removal

themessenger says...

The sleaze bag Wilchcombe has degenerated from wannabe extortionist to full time beggar.

Makes you wonder about the mentality of an electorate that would vote for someone of his ilk.

Wilchcombe, you need to slither back under your rock and stay there.

Posted 13 September 2022, 8:38 a.m. Suggest removal

longgone says...

Typical of someone like Wilchombe. Always wanting something for nothing so that he can line his pockets!!

Posted 13 September 2022, 12:58 p.m. Suggest removal

Log in to comment