Abstract

RAUHUT, Claudia. Reparative Justice Vis-a Vis the legacy of slavery in the Caribbean. Interregional perspectives. Íconos [online]. 2021, n.71, pp.161-178. ISSN 1390-8065.  https://doi.org/10.17141/iconos.71.2021.4700.

This paper deals with the current demands of compensation for the damages and crimes caused by the transatlantic slave trade of African persons and from the institution of slavery in the Americas. This proposal has been put forward by many actors and in different global historical contexts and it is currently is fundamental issue in the agenda of Afro-American activism, especially in the English- speaking Caribbean and in the United States. This topic is also under discussion in Latin America as a part of the “afro-reparations” approach. The article analyzes the mobilization around this issue in the English-speaking Caribbean, the “reparative justice” agenda put forward by the CARICOM Reparations Commission- mainly composed by former British colonies in the Caribbean-, and the demands directed against European governments. Using data collected in Jamaica, this text exposes the main arguments presented by advocates of reparations, as well the arenas where they have been more active: public education, awareness raising campaign and archival reconstruction of documentation evidencing the economic impact of slavery. Next, the activity of advocates in the social media and in transnational debates is discussed. Finally, consideration is given to the different approaches to the topic of reparations seen from an interregional perspective, focusing in viewpoints drawn from Cuba as a case representing the Spanish-speaking Caribbean.

Keywords : Afro reparations; English-speaking Caribbean; slavery; Jamaica; reparative; justice; historical reparations.

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