Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
We must take reparations more seriously
St Lucian diplomat, Dr-June-Soomer
R. Rose - Eye of the Needle
April 19, 2024

We must take reparations more seriously

When will Caribbean people, and their governments give higher priority to the international demand for reparations for transatlantic slavery and colonial plunder?

This question is a most relevant one even as the United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent holds an important meeting in

Geneva, Switzerland this week. The meeting is being attended by delegates from most Caribbean nations, including St Vincent and the

Grenadines. It is also of special significance to this region because on Tuesday April,16, noted St Lucian diplomat, Dr June Soomer, was sworn in as the Chair of that global body.

The Caribbean is one of the regions of the world which have suffered most from the inhuman trafficking in African slaves, genocide against its indigenous people and the ravages of colonialism. It stands to reason then that Caribbean states have been in the forefront of the demands for reparations. It has led to not only vocal representation in international fora but also the establishment of a Caribbean Reparations Commission, launched in grand style in Kingstown last August.

Despite this auspicious launching and excellent advocacy work mainly by leading Caribbean intellectuals, it is true to say that while in general there appears to be support for the initiative, we have a long way to go in the Caribbean to get wholehearted commitment by most of our people for this necessary goal. While many people broadly support the cause, there is still a lot of doubt as to whether such an initiative can succeed; while among a minority, the old colonial hangover influences some not to give support.

As a result, the campaign has largely been advanced by the intellectuals who lead the movement, and when it is opportune, by some regional Heads, our own being prominent in this regard, with solid support among the more progressive young people and persons associated with the Rastafarian movement. The work of the Caribbean Commission has, however, been rather uneven reflecting the varied nature of the work in the respective territories.

It appears, to me at least, that there is over-reliance on a top-down approach. The selective nature of the leadership in several countries has tended to lean towards those with “connections” to the parties in government. In addition, sadly, it seems that some leaders are themselves not clear about what reparations is all about and the onerous nature of the tasks they have undertaken. One cannot confuse form with substance. Grand pronouncements and the outward trappings of Africanism are quite in order, but the hard work must be done.

One hundred years ago, the Venerable Marcus Mosiah Garvey built an international movement influencing millions of black people, many of them uneducated, around the issues of reparations and Back-to- Africa repatriation. If he could do it then, why not us in a modern era with all the modern tools of communication at our disposal?

We must ground the education, among the people who have suffered most and are still suffering in poverty. In addition, while education at tertiary and secondary school levels is absolutely required, our children are the only guarantors of continuity. The reparation message must be transmitted simply, in all forms so that as many people as possible can understand and be converted,

we must work in all corners and can only do so when we understand our calling. A mass movement for reparations is an absolute necessity.

The international movement linking Africans in the western hemisphere with their brothers and sisters in

Africa, raised the reparations flag at an important United Nations Conference held in the South African city of Durban more than 20 years ago (2001). That conference adopted the Durban Declaration of Action, a comprehensive blueprint to address racial discrimination, including effective measures to achieve reparations. That Declaration was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 2002.

More than two decades later, what has been achieved, whether in Africa or the Caribbean as far as this programme is concerned? It seems that we are good at all the fine speeches and the “flam”. Leadership of such a movement as reparations calls for sacrifice and toil and doing the hard work for delivery. There is no glory in it and all too many among our own people are too quick to criticize and even condemn. We cannot let the negative stand in our way.

There are positive possibilities. The growing tide of the hemispheric indigenous peoples’ movements is a source of inspiration. Just last week, out of Jamaica a group of people who identify themselves as descendants of the Taino or Arawak people, made a public call for official recognition of their people and the Maroons, descendants of former African slaves who had taken to the hills in Jamaica and today still constitute a community.

They claimed that a process of recognition has been stalled since 2022 which aimed at actions by the State to help the indigenous people (both) to situate themselves within Jamaica’s history and to engage in the full practice of their culture and self-determination.

Indigenous communities like these and similar ones in Guyana and Suriname must also be involved in the just claim for reparation.

The ground is fertile, but it needs ploughing, fertilizing and care for it to grow, flower and bear fruit. This cannot be about grandstanding and glory; it is our historical duty. We can take inspiration from Sis. June Soomer who has promised to “relentlessly advocate for reparations as there can be no sustainable development without reparations”. As Chair of the Permanent Forum, she has pledged, “We will not be quiet. We will not be invisible. We will not disappear”.

 

  • Renwick Rose is a community activist and social commentator.
  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    Domestic worker killed at Long Wall
    Front Page
    Domestic worker killed at Long Wall
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    FAMILY MEMBERS of a woman who was killed at Long Wall say they suspect their relative was hacked by a person they all know very well. On Tuesday, Sept...
    NDP never built a single house in SVG – Finance Minister
    Front Page
    NDP never built a single house in SVG – Finance Minister
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE IDEA THAT HOUSING is a right, that every Vincentian has a right to safe and secure housing, and that the government has a role to play in ensuring...
    No bail for Police officer charged with attempted murder
    Front Page
    No bail for Police officer charged with attempted murder
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A POLICE OFFICER, who allegedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend 26 times about her body was remanded even as his lawyer argued that the Royal St Vincent and...
    New ULP Administration will roll out AI policy
    Front Page
    New ULP Administration will roll out AI policy
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A NEW UNITY LABOUR PARTY ADMINISTRATION will be rolling out an Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy to embrace its positives and guard against the nega...
    Sandy Bay Secondary School marks 20th Anniversary
    Front Page
    Sandy Bay Secondary School marks 20th Anniversary
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER, 9,2025 was a memorable day for the staff and students of the Sandy Bay Secondary School, which was marking its 20th anniversary wi...
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE ASHLEY LASHLEY Foundation, with support from the United States Government, is implementing a local-level project entitled “Community-Driven Strate...
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE ASHLEY LASHLEY Foundation, with support from the United States Government, is implementing a local-level project entitled “Community-Driven Strate...
    Skills not available locally, non-nationals have to be hired says Finance Minister
    News
    Skills not available locally, non-nationals have to be hired says Finance Minister
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    NON- NATIONALS ARE being hired to fill several jobs in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) simply because locals did not have the required skill sets....
    Montgomery Daniel squashes rumours that he’s sick
    News
    Montgomery Daniel squashes rumours that he’s sick
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER Montgomery Daniel has sought to clear around rumours that have been circulating relating to his health. Speaking on NBC radio on...
    $1.3 billion in Tourism investment to yield 2,000 jobs – Camillo
    News
    $1.3 billion in Tourism investment to yield 2,000 jobs – Camillo
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    The GOVERNMENT of St Vincent and the Grenadines is set to sign agreements for tourism investment of $1.3 billion on mainland St.Vincent. On Monday, Se...
    Bagga’ man pleads guilty to illegal gun, ammo possession
    From the Courts, News
    Bagga’ man pleads guilty to illegal gun, ammo possession
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A BARROUALLIE MAN will be sentenced next week after pleading guilty to being in illegal possession of a firearm and eight rounds of ammunition. Demron...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok