Fourteen Caricom (Caribbean Community) countries in the Caribbean Region have approached Britain, France, and The Netherlands for reparations.
14 Caribbean nations sue Britain, Holland and France for slavery reparations that could cost hundreds of billions of pounds - The Daily Mail, Thursday 10 October, 2013
I am in support of the claim for reparations by the fourteen Caricom countries. I believe, however, that the argument for reparations to compensate for slavery is only part of a bigger issue which is relevant to the position of the Caribbean Region today.
The histories of the islands in the West Indies and the wider Caribbean are unique, so I will not write about the islands of which I am not very familiar. This post is based on what I know about the history of Jamaica from what I have read, learnt about first hand by those who experienced living in colonial Jamaica, and what I have experienced in independent Jamaica to support my position.
I wish to point out that I am not a historian, and will not be using facts and figures unless it is absolutely necessary. I apologize for any errors made.
The Spanish first arrived in Jamaica in 1494. The influence of the Spanish still exists in Jamaica and the Caribbean.
The Spanish were defeated by the British in 1655, then colonized Jamaica which lasted for 307 years.
The reason for colonizing Jamaica was to obtain its natural resources, use its lands for
production, and use its native people for cheap labour in order to develop Britain. This placed Britain in the position to have the best of both worlds at the expense of Jamaica.
There was never any intention to develop Jamaica or use its export/import trading systems for the benefit of the indigenous people. The best ground provisions, citrus fruits, bananas, cattle, lumber, and other natural resources, were shipped off to Britain in no small quantity. What was not wanted for export to Britain was left for the local Jamaican market.
Jamaica was flooded with imports from Britain. The interesting thing was that some of the imports were made with raw materials that originated from Jamaica. The cost of some of the products were usually out of the reach of native Jamaicans.
The Jamaican social structure was based on colour. The black Jamaican majority were, more often than not, limited in terms of advancement up the social ladder. The Indian population were recruited from India to Jamaica as indentured labourers. The Chinese people were 'invited' from Hong Kong to be merchants in Jamaica and to provide provisions for the British, and the Jamaican people. The Middle East population were merchants and involved in various businesses. The mixed race population in Jamaica (termed the mulatto by the British), considered themselves superior to the black majority by virtue of their colour, and was the group of choice of the British colonizers.
Education was available, but was often limited in terms of reaching the high school level (especially the traditional high schools) and beyond, for the black population.
Governance was based on the Westminster model to promote British interests.
The whole infrastructure of Jamaica from the days of slavery, a colony, to independence, was never intended to bring about its economic development . The tragedy of this is that a certain mindset was formed, and seeds sown, in some quarters of Jamaica to maintain the status quo, and to keep Jamaica in perpetual, persistent poverty, and economic struggle. Today, the problem has, and still requires much determination to overcome.
Payment of reparations would only be a start in creating a new history. Repairing the damage of 307 years of exploitation is the task that lies before Jamaica.
The fourteen Caricom countries will be able to relate to the historical journey of Jamaica through their own histories.
The fourteen Caricom countries are not asking Britain, France, and The Netherlands for any favours.
It is what they are owed.
Peace
Grace
PS.
While preparing to write this post, I understand the payment of reparations from Britain is unlikely. In light of this decision, I trust note will be taken of its past history with the Caribbean, as the Caribbean takes note of its history, and its present position.
As we move forward, let us not forget, three hundred and seven years was a very long time.
Note:
I have written briefly on a very small part of the history of Jamaica. To learn more I recommend 'The Story of the Jamaican People' by Philip Sherlock and Hazel Bennett (Ian Randle Publishers, Kingston, Jamaica).
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