Reparations for All – That Means Everyone

By Zarina Geloo

"Reparations" and justice for the victims of injustices dating back centuries or occurring today are not the exclusive territory of Africans and people of African descent, say black activists.

The needs, rights and wants of Afro Brazilians and others of African descent have been the focus of previous WSF gatherings hosted by the Afro Brazilian National Committee, this year the focus is on reparations, not only for black Brazilians, but for all peoples who have been wronged by colonial powers or other dominant groups.

Ubiraci Matildes de Jesus set the tone of the meeting when she said African Brazilians must not confine their view to how they are being marginalized and mistreated when there are other groups of people who have suffered just as much.

She cited the examples of Nigerians displaced by oil spills that are the responsibility of Shell corporation, the victims of landmines in Angola and Mozambique -- all have suffered and need compensation from the perpetrators of their pain, says De Jesus.

The word "reparations", says George Dor from Jubilee South Africa, has been misapplied to mean only Africans and their descendants wanting compensation for past suffering during the slave era and the years when African and Asian resources were plundered by the world's colonial powers.

White people like the Croats and all those who endured ethnic cleansing in Eastern Europe have the right to demand an apology and compensation for their suffering, according to Dor.

"If it is the World Bank and IMF that is causing us to suffer then they must be held accountable," he adds.

"It is not only Europe that has caused as pain. Even our own governments in Africa bring us grief. Look at the minority tribes in Namibia and Botswana who suffer terrible discrimination. We must help them get compensation and restore their rights," says the South African activist.

Matheus da Silva said people must see reparations as a way forward in the healing process. He cited the precedent set by France, which has admitted in its legislation that slavery was a sin against humanity and has pledged to work to get other countries to recognise this fact.

"With the acknowledgment that a wrong was committed, comes respect and the will never to repeat the atrocity," says Da Silva

Amidst songs of solidarity and the beating of drums, speaker Dally Thomas said that to create the egalitarian society that the world needs, the black movement should unite, not to usurp white supremacy, but to create a world with "no supremacy".

"Let us not frighten people into thinking that we want to take their place. We don't," said Thomas. "What we want is space for us all."