‘I don’t like to hear about reparations’- Eileene L. Parsons
Speaking to Karia J. Christopher, the host of Real Talk aired Sunday, July 30, 3023, Ms Parsons said seeking monetary compensation for slavery is not practical.
Mrs Christopher was at the time commenting that based on Ms Parsons definition of who should be considered a Virgin Islander, she [Christopher] is a “full BVIslander” and she needs her reparations now.
“That is something that I don’t like to hear, about reparations.” Ms Parsons responded.
“Well since you said three generations down, I know I got to get a cheque, cause I a full…,” Christopher continued.
Ms Parsons said while most of the slaves came from the West Coast of Africa, none of us know from exactly where.
“We should be thankful for where we have come, what we have become, we have doctors, lawyers, and we should forget, not totally forget about slavery, but forget about getting money. What you need money for? For God’s sake, I would not know who to ask for…” Ms Parsons said.
Reparations
Opposition Member Honourable Julian Fraser RA has been at the forefront calling for reparations for slavery.
According to the Opposition Leader, the British Government recently finished off paying off a loan that they used to compensate slave masters and plantation owners at the time of emancipation and can now seek a loan for reparations.
“It is time they get a new loan for reparations,” Hon Fraser said while giving official remarks at the official opening of the Bernard ‘Yampi’ Nibbs Festiville at Festival Grounds, Tortola on July 27, 2022.
“But the one word I want to leave with you this evening is reparation. Reparation is a word I want you to remember. Reparation means whatever we were emancipated from we are going to be compensated for.”
Several Caribbean countries have been calling for reparations from countries that benefitted from the slave trade.
Even today, August 1, 2023, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston A. Browne said the celebration and commemoration of emancipation is also a call to Europe for reparations.
‘You owe us’- Gaston A. Browne to Europe
"Emancipation recognises the centuries of enslavement, that crime against humanity that robbed us of basic human dignity, which reduced us to chattel – property, and extracted blood, sweat and tears to provide the wealth that developed Europe.
In these celebrations, we pay respect and homage to our ancestors – those who bore the whips and chains – those who helped clear the path to our freedom through their resistance and sacrifices.
It is in their honour – in their memory - that the nations of this Caribbean – among which Antigua and Barbuda stands tall – say to Europe, in a non-confrontational manner – “you owe us – for two hundred years of free labour and you must pay reparations,” PM Browne said.
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43 Responses to “‘I don’t like to hear about reparations’- Eileene L. Parsons”
The history of slavery spans many cultures, nationalities, and religions from ancient times to the present day. Likewise, its victims have come from many different ethnicities and religious groups. The social, economic, and legal positions of enslaved people have differed vastly in different systems of slavery in different times and places.
And explain to me why Jewish people got reparations and they were not enslaved.
Reparations also does not have to be monetary. Education, Health Care, for example wouldn't be things put into anyone's account
Then you tall about what they FEEL was wrong. This ish was wrong, pay the people what is owed
Here is a news flash for Ms. P, the host, and others. A check is not the only thing that provide some reparative justice to make the slaves and their descendants whole.
Moreover, we should give thanks for what we have, the distance we have travelled, despite the exploitation, expropriation , rape, dehumanization, brutality, etc. Is Ms. P okay with slave owners and whites dehumanizing blacks striping them of their humanity, all of their worldly possessions, separating them from their families, history, heritage, customs, courtesies
; depriving them of the ability to even learn how to read and write,,exploiting their labor, depriving them of basic healthcare and basic nutrition, depriving them of their personal freedom, raping them, brutalizing them, depriving them of basic family values, ie, restricting children carrying the surname of their parents, depriving them of their freedom, relegating them as a permanent underclass, hopeless, non-competitive, etc., and I can go on and on.,
Ms. P may not like to hear about reparation but reparation is a remedy, ie,,Native Americans, Mau Mau in Kenya, Japanese , Jews, etc. if it good for others, why not Blacks. We need to stop behaving like Pavlov dogs s suffering from Whites conditioning. Get some help for the Stockholm Syndtome, etc.
Stop insulting the native indigenous people of the Caribbean, and the world, by wilfully misusing this word to describe descendants of African slaves imported to this region, when it truly describes homegrown native people who have known and loved the earth here for many centuries, passing on their deep knowledge for generations before they were almost wiped out by the Europeans.
BVI people think they are clever by 'breaking a rule!' or 'sticking it to outsiders' by claiming it's what we call ourselves here, if you don't like it, leave.
But all it does is expose our ignorance. If you choose ignorance, people just see you as ignorant
Moreover, too many people, especially the descendants of slave owners, think that slave descendants are only looking for a monetary handout. Reparation is not only about a check but also should be medical services,education programs, housing, economic development programs and funds, etc. The descendants of slaves deserve reparatory justice.
[ lets lead like eagles, not careen off the cliff like buffaloes]
“ Emancipation recognises the centuries of enslavement, that crime against humanity that robbed us of basic human dignity, which reduced us to chattel – property, and extracted blood, sweat and tears to provide the wealth that developed Europe.
In these celebrations, we pay respect and homage to our ancestors – those who bore the whips and chains – those who helped clear the path to our freedom through their resistance and sacrifices.
It is in their honour – in their memory - that the nations of this Caribbean – among which Antigua and Barbuda stands tall – say to Europe, in a non-confrontational manner – “you owe us – for two hundred years of free labour and you must pay reparations,” PM Browne said.”