Dominica names National Reparations Committee

The region is making moves towards payment of reparations by former colonial European countries.
The region is making moves towards payment of reparations by former colonial European countries

Dominica has named a nine-member National Reparations Committee as the island and the rest of the region make moves towards payment of reparations by former colonial European countries.

Damian Dublin has been named chairman of the committee while rest of the members are Dr. Lennox Honychurch, Dr. Alwin Bully, Garnet Joseph (Kalinago Chief), Gregory Rabess, Bernard Imani Shaw (Representative of the House of Nyabinghi), Franklin Georges, Bernard Nicholas and Felix Gregoire.

The terms of reference of the National Reparations Committee are as follows:

1. Disseminate information on the historical, relevant and justifiable aspects of the reparations struggle.
2. Meet with general public and specific target groups/organizations, to obtain views and suggestions.
3. Develop and obtain approval for a work plan to guide the work of the Committee.
4. Recognize the indigenous Kalinago struggle re native Genocide as an integral aspect of the overall Reparations Struggle.
5. Encourage a re- education, re-identification and general resurgence of Black History, Culture and Heritage.
6. Promote teaching of Black History in the schools.
7. Collaborate and liaise with CARICOM Reparations Commission.
8. Establish a functional working relation with other Regional and International Reparations Committees.
9. Include the “Reconciliation” aspect of the overall Reparations Struggle.
10. Report on activities to the relevant agencies.

When CARICOM Heads of government met in Trinidad in July 2013, they agreed to set up National Committees on Reparations, “to establish the moral, ethical and legal case for the payment of reparations by the former colonial European countries, to the native and people of the Caribbean Community, for native genocide, the transatlantic slave trade and a racialized system of chattel slavery.”

The Heads also agreed to establish a CARICOM Reparations Commission comprising the chair of the National Committees and a representative of the University of the West Indies (UWI), which would report directly to a Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on Reparations, chaired by Prime Minister of Barbados, Freundel Stuart.

A Reparations Conference was held in St. Vincent and the Grenadines during the period September 15-17, 2013, which brought together representatives of CARICOM Governments and National Reparations Committees, civil society groupings from within CARICOM and its diaspora, the University of the West Indies and individuals who have distinguished themselves in the struggle for reparations for Native Genocide and Slavery in CARICOM member states.

Dominica was represented at this Conference by Dublin.

Last year British newspaper, The Daily Mail, reported that Britain, along with France and the Netherlands are being sued by 14 Caribbean ‘countries which are demanding what could be hundreds of billions of pounds in reparations for slavery.’

According to the report CARICOM, together with Haiti and Suriname, believes that the European governments should pay for the “awful, lingering legacy of the Atlantic slave trade.”

Dominica is a member of CARICOM.

The British law firm, Leigh Day, has been hired to take the matter to court. According to the Mail, Leigh Day recently won compensation for hundreds of Kenyans tortured by the British colonial government during the Mau Mau rebellion of the 1950′s.

It is not sure how much money is sought by CARICOM but the Mail reported that “senior officials have pointed out that Britain paid slave owners £20 million when it abolished slavery in 1834. That sum would be the equivalent of £200 billion today.”

 

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

101 Comments

  1. Emile Zapatos
    April 9, 2014

    Except for Barbados all the small island belong to the Kalinago people. Hence the name Caribbean after the Carib inhabitants. Is the committee going to return the islands to the Carib people or pay them for it . The only ones who deserve any reparation are the Kalinagoes. Their land were taken from them . To justify their extermination , they were called savages and canibals . There have been no evidence of cannibalism. The islands were blest with plenty of food and fish. So all the reparation money should go to the Carib people.

  2. Bra
    April 8, 2014

    We have to let the past go. No one owes us money for slavery. Today is a new day. See what is happening in our country right now. Going back to the past will not get us far.
    NOW is what matters! See what happening in our country NOW!

  3. gabriel st jean
    April 8, 2014

    Better late than never I support the effort; however the team needs Legal directives an this is conspicuously absent. To the set-up-ers of this committee I’d say (will an come back). Team looks like an [educational hospital] to many Dr.’s

  4. roots/da
    April 8, 2014

    The Jews with strong backing from associated governments received some compensation for the holocaust dilemma , so it’s possible . It’s possible if it is well structured . In the meantime , the group chosen must work hard to encourage further diplomatic ties at the highest level in the region , including remaining colonies who are given more autonomy as trade and commerce , will be of great importance among the islands , now that such a move is in motion .

  5. bou
    April 8, 2014

    Very interest topic but some of you in the West Indies do not know the full history of the black men and women from the slave trade, you think that the colonial European countries started it. Well they did play a big part the in slave trade, but the architect was the Arab muslin who use blacks slaves as currency to gain power amount their communities and then sold them to America and European countries (long story).

    So if you are going to get the America and European countries to pay for what they did you have to start with the Arab muslin.
    The following names should look into this before they start pointing the finger. Damian Dublin Dr. Lennox Honychurch, Dr. Alwin Bully, Garnet Joseph (Kalinago Chief), Gregory Rabess, Bernard Imani Shaw (Representative of the House of Nyabinghi), Franklin Georges, Bernard Nicholas and Felix Gregoire. This is some links you should be looking into and to remind the people of he Caribbean Community about their true history.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_slave_trade

    https://themuslimissue.wordpress.com/2012/08/27/the-arab-slave-trade-and-200-million-non-muslim-slaves-of-all-skin-colors/

    http://www.scaruffi.com/politics/slavetra.html

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdsT6Pptmes

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boAWmGnbqpc

    (AND NO.—– I AM A BLACK DOMINICAN from balahutown). A big up to you Dr. Honychurch. Do not let my people down.

    • Roseau
      April 9, 2014

      The whote people did start the slave trade. How else would we be here in this part of the world.

  6. Really
    April 8, 2014

    Dublin? Really. The man has no depth…in other words he is swallow…has nothing substancial to contribute to anything. He has been passing under the radar for too long, giving the impression he is able. Hearing him talk at the first meeting clearly showed he was way over is head and is try to swallow much more than he can chew. The meeting only really started when Dr Pascal and Tianni gave an insight as to what all this reparation is about. Was that committee selected because they support the Labour Party…how sad.

  7. April 8, 2014

    This is my area,which i specialise in .yes I hail jah rasta fari .If there is a conferance lined up in the caribbean were we can unify over reperations .I say yes every time to my African People.

  8. Frank Talker
    April 8, 2014

    I thought of this initiative over last evening and I am convinced that we may have missed the boat. In the 500 years we have colonised this beautiful land, it never occurred that we should build a bank of facts regarding the plight of those who made the middle passage. Generally, the information we have about slavery was put together by the Caucasians and has a Caucasian bias. Ask any high school child about the middle passage and they would give you what is written in the white man’s version of the event. If we had built up a bank of information about slavery we would now be in a position to counter the falsehood put forward that the white man simply participated in an enterprise that was already well developed by Africans themselves. Of course, there was slavery before the middle passage, but it was confined to a continent and limited to rivalry between tribes. The commercialisation of African slavery was an European enterprise! So I am sceptical about how we are going to convince the Europeans that the trans-atlantic slave trade was morally wrong using their manipulated information.
    On another note, I think it is accepted now that black men were in the west before the slave trade commenced. It is proved now that negroids were in south America during the time Jesus Christ walked the Earth. How did they get there?

  9. Anonymous
    April 8, 2014

    What does that mean to us? The people who were treated badly has long been gone. Any amount of money would not mean anything to them. I do not see the reason of going back to those days. Yes it’s our history but money can’t do anything to change what has already happened.

    • Anonymous
      April 8, 2014

      We need to deal with our own criminals.

  10. Anonymous
    April 8, 2014

    I’m happy that we are moving forward in efforts to avenge our ancestors,and this committee is just another step.However in the terms of reference at bullet point #5,why only black history,culture,and heritage?It should also include history,culture and heritage of Caribs and Arawak’s.

  11. Nac Vibes
    April 8, 2014

    DEUTERONOMY 28:68 And the LORD shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way whereof I spake unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more.

  12. Jan Peter Schmittman
    April 8, 2014

    Stupes The Red Clinic is slavery. :cry:

  13. Albert joseph
    April 8, 2014

    Though this is just another stept in the direction of Reparation,is just sad, it is that can of foot we putting foward in this situation.
    Let’s be real and put the right foot foward,if we want to be serious.
    A book that worth reading;
    The Hidden History of Massachusetts;(a guide for black floks) that will be a great source of information of the involvement of Boston in the slave trade.
    A book that will change the way we look at the churches and some of the Big names of American history.

  14. The Baptiste
    April 8, 2014

    When one speaks of the reparation issue, America is almost always mentioned as been the largest beneficiary of the slave trade, and extends that to suggest that America is the most racist country on earth.
    I am personally a bit tired of that, and I would ask those who live in the United Kingdom, Canada, Spain, Portugal, Holland particularly, what is the level of black representation in their various corridors of power, What year was it again that Canada had a black prime minister, or the United Kingdom, or Spain, or Portugal, or Brazil, please help me because my memory seems to fail me here.
    Long after the Hitler administration which saw the holocaust, in which millions of Jews were killed, Hitler and his generals were held personally liable, those who died died, but those who are and/or were alive were hunted down and prosecuted.
    During the slave trade it was the Monarchy of the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Portugal, and yes Holland whose coffers were filled with the benefits of the slave trade, yet our focus is not on those successive kings and Queens under and with whose authorities these atrocities against black people were carried out, but against persons or authorities lower down the chain, while we continue to pay homage to the successors of such brutal and inhumane treatment to our fore parents.
    Most people tend to identify America first and foremost when America was not yet a nation when business of slavery started.
    While it is true that a large number of slaves were bound for the Americas, America had no part in the capturing, and transporting of the slaves, so it is to the United Kingdom (that still has its monarchy) Spain, Portugal, France, and the Dutch that we should be focusing our energies; we must also not forget the role of the Arabs in this whole sordid affair.
    So in the same manner in which Germany was made to compensate the Jewish people, so these powers must be made to compensate the black people for the atrocities meted out to them.

  15. The Baptiste
    April 8, 2014

    Correcting reparation for repatriation
    This is unbelievable, that the government could not even get the members of this very important committee right.
    Please name me one of these persons on this committee who were actually involved in the movement advancing the cause of black people, particularly as it relates to the slavery part of our history
    The fact that someone is of the Rastafarian faith does not automatically make them qualified as a member of a committee seeking compensation for slavery years, because their cause is more repatriation, than reparation.
    It is interesting, while at the same time very amusing, that persons like Dr. Pascal, Dr. Riviere, Bernard Wiltshire, Mr. Blanc, Mr. Tiana, just to mention a few names as well as no woman is on that committee; but again this is new labour, and these people on that committee represents the face of that new labour, along with the mammies, and sogofly.
    Why does this government always have to make a mess of everything? One would assume that after almost two decades in office that they could at least get something right, but alas! It is expecting too much from persons who allegedly had to be paid to represent various constituents. This is an administration devoid of any original ideas, or strategy to address the pertinent and relevant issues that affect the lives of everyday Dominicans.

    1.

  16. Anonymous
    April 8, 2014

    I believe that our African ancestors should be included in that list too, they were the ones who sold our fore fathers into slavery. Just my opinion, if we are going after one get them all

    • Rastafari
      April 8, 2014

      No proof, just a hogwash and pure bias. Keep your head buried in the sand, that’s where it belongs.

      • Anonymous
        April 8, 2014

        To suggest that some of our African ancestors were not willing participants in this abhorrent business is folly and a travesty of the truth. One only has to look at the rulers of Dahomey, who in succession traded fellow Africans with European traders for benefit,. The mighty King Agaja, his son Tegbesu and his grandson king Kpengla for example. The latter’s successor, king Adandozan even sent his messenger to Brasil in 1795 with a proposal for him to become the exclusive supplier of slaves from Mina to Brasil. These are but a few. Please, read our people’s history with open eyes, good and bad even if it hurts.

      • born dca die dca
        April 8, 2014

        rasta you that foolish and have your head buried in the sand the white man never chase down no african in the bush and put chains on him is other africans that capture us and put us in chains and the white man come in his ship and pay them with pots and pans guns and tobacco and rum so i guess u better take your head out of the sand and learn the truth behind how ur ancestors reach in the caribbean

  17. The Baptiste
    April 8, 2014

    This is unbelievable, that the government could not even get the members of this very important committee right.
    Please name me one of these persons on this committee who were actually involved in the movement advancing the cause of black people, particularly as it relates to the slavery part of our history
    The fact that someone is of the Rastafarian faith does not automatically make them qualified as a member of a committee seeking compensation for slavery years, because their cause is more repatriation, than more than repatriation.
    It is interesting, while at the same time very amusing, that persons like Dr. Pascal, Dr. Riviere, Bernard Wiltshire, Mr. Blanc, Mr. Tiana, just to mention a few names as well as no woman is on that committee; but again this is new labour, and these people on that committee represents the face of that new labour, along with the mammies, and sogofly.
    Why does this government always have to make a mess of everything? One would assume that after almost two decades in office that they could at least get something right, but alas! It is expecting too much from persons who allegedly had to be paid to represent various constituents. This is an administration devoid of any original ideas, or strategy to address the pertinent and relevant issues that affect the lives of everyday Dominicans.

  18. Native & indigenous
    April 8, 2014

    It is unfortunate that the awareness has not been promoted more in the kalinago territory who are the real loosers of he conquest of the Europeans, the reality is the black man today has recolonized the indigenous people and is now simply using the black kalinago chief to their advantage, i know that his heart and soul is not in it .

  19. Emile Zapatos
    April 8, 2014

    Two questions: why are there no women on the committee ? Which individuals get paid ?

    • Emile Zapatos
      April 8, 2014

      Which individuals will get paid?

      • Emile Zapatos
        April 9, 2014

        The answer is the Kalinagos. They were dispossess. So let there be justice.

  20. Nac Vibes
    April 8, 2014

    If you people who claim to believe in the Creator really do, then look in the history book of “Black People” and you will see why this will come to nothing.

    The Creator told us (his people) that untill such time that we turn our eyes back to him No One Give Us Solace (reparation) for it was he who placed us in bondage and only untill we turn our eyes back to him that the chains will be broken. So said the creator.

  21. Mark
    April 8, 2014

    This group is a joke.

  22. Kubulol
    April 8, 2014

    Stupid non sense !
    Why should today’s innocent white people pay for something that happened 200 years ago ?
    I hope that africans descendants of those who participated to and helped that horrible trade will be sued as well ?
    money ! money ! that’s the root of all evils today !
    remember Mandela … and start adressing the actual issues of the Caribbean countries : drug traffic, unemployment….

    • DA4LYFE
      April 8, 2014

      Aww.Protecting your white people.so sweet.

  23. April 8, 2014

    Hello and good morning my people. I am impress with quite a few of the names but am sure we have capable women who would contribute to this panel. Please remember that if you are filing a claim please file it in the World Court in The Hague and not the international Criminal Court because many countries are not signatory to the international Criminal Court. Also don’t go through the united Nation because many of the security council members will be defendants and they will used their vote to prevent this lawsuit from proceeding. It’s about time we hold them accountable for the many crimes they committed against our people.

  24. Proud West Indian
    April 7, 2014

    I am a proud West Indian and a woman to be exact. The members of the committee needs revisiting. Not one woman, nor young person apart of that team.
    I do hope, in all of this, black Dominicans give the Carib Indians, whats due to them. Start at home. And oh,
    Church, will get more means to make millions on West Indians. my my

  25. Shillingford
    April 7, 2014

    Stimulus package anyone?

  26. soutcityboyi
    April 7, 2014

    Is this a joke or what? Why do we always and continue to put square pegs in round (wrong) holes. Do you get my drift?

  27. sdcg
    April 7, 2014

    pure nonsence

  28. STUDENT
    April 7, 2014

    bogus BOGUS BOGUS

  29. truth
    April 7, 2014

    Really……Dublin? . He man is not up for the job. He was hand picked my the powers that be to attend the first overseas meeting. He sound so lost and clueless. Only Tiyanni and Dr Pascal could shed some good light on the entire reparation topic and where to go next. So how comes they are not on the committee. Dublin, so u do not know your capability…u actually accepted that post. Really Dublin?

  30. April 7, 2014

    waste of taxpayers money to set up local committees. The caricom committee should be set up to include a member from each country.There is enough information from the UWI to deal with this matter.

  31. Puzzled
    April 7, 2014

    Everything must be going well in Dominica ,that so many can devote so much to a cause without any serious outcome.
    Concentrate on the corruption in the island that has immediate effect on our present day lives.

  32. Me
    April 7, 2014

    Mr Dublin represented Dominica a the reparation meeting overseas, and could not even present or report back on what the meeting was about much less a way forward. How in God’s name is he the head of our Committee.
    I support the call for Dr Irvin Pascal, Mr Riviere and Bernard Wiltshire and Mr Blanc ought to be on this committee. Why can’t we vote. Who created this committee anyway

  33. Calypso
    April 7, 2014

    Missing on that committee are Tyani Benhanzine.. Mr. Blanc and Dr Pascal please correct

  34. What?
    April 7, 2014

    Mr Blanc, Dr Pascal and other person from the different facet of society like teachers, clergy men and women, the youth should be on that committee

  35. Light
    April 7, 2014

    Where were these gotten from. I was at the first meeting. our names and addresses were noted for follow up meeting and moving forward. Non of these people were there, with the exception Dublin, and Dublin for sure seen rather not up to handle such matter. He is obviously trying to swallow more than he can screw. I give him credit for his interest and contributions but there are a so many more able persons. At the first meeting, it was agreed that the committee would be a more diverse group of people than what I am seeing there. Where is the youth in all of this? the committee was hi jacked. Democracy….call a meeting and let people who are able and willing do the job

  36. STUDENT
    April 7, 2014

    boy look cochoni, these are all labourite, what about the people who were speaking about this reparation all those years like the rasta lawyer, dr pascal and so on…

    you mean gregory rabess going to hit white man with a stone, why is lennox in that, that labour party government is really going to far…..

  37. JoJo
    April 7, 2014

    And don’t tell me, if money comes …IF, is govt. to to receive and distribute it and you know what happens then! Don’t get me wrong, slavery is plain evil, any slavery, but I don’t want to profit from pains my forefathers may have suffered and I don’t want innocent people to pay for that either. So you go and sort it out but I prefer to make my own money and make peace and reconciliation like our great teacher Mandela. Greed, even in the name of justice does not bring harmony.

    • Ben Haynes PsyD
      April 7, 2014

      Well, that is your choice, and one thing is evident, millions of survivors which are us who are here today would love, and are waiting for any help we can get. They owe us damit.

    • Simply the Truth
      April 7, 2014

      Excellent comment. Not all Caribbean people, wherever they reside are interested in this reparation. How far they expect to go, what amount they hope to receive, what will be done with it and who will benefit from it?

    • Arbitrator
      April 7, 2014

      I agree with you all the JoJo, I love the way you think. I don’t support any form of slavery either, it is cruel evil, inhuman and lots more. However if it wasn’t for slavery where would we be? None of us would be here.

  38. ()
    April 7, 2014

    Good Idea. Remove the ambassador, bring in Bernard Wiltshire.

    • Ohhh Dominica!
      April 7, 2014

      They do not want people like Wiltshire on there, what we have been presented with is a group of modern day slaves.

      Take a hard look at the names listed……don’t know who they are going to request payment from couple years down the line when they willingly mortgage their freedom today.

      Only time will tell in Dominica.

  39. %
    April 7, 2014

    Wiltshire has done more work than all these names combined on that very topic, yet he is excluded in the same way WEF /IDEA OF NATIONAL TRAIL, WAS STOLEN FROM HIM AND THE OTHERS. This country is too small for us to be delivering the heavy end of the rod upon those that we hate.
    You all can hate me too. I do not care a darn!!!!.!!

  40. T
    April 7, 2014

    BERNARD WILTSHIRE, was forgotten man? Delete two names and include Wiltshire.
    Nevertheless good idea,

  41. Anonymous
    April 7, 2014

    Hey. Caribbean history /= African History and I hope they know that
    Seeking reparations now is stupid

    • Ben Haynes PsyD
      April 7, 2014

      Please keep reading my friend. You may find the truth then.

  42. Really?
    April 7, 2014

    A new kind of slavery is enveloping our land. All institutions are under the control and/or influence of political operatives. The judiciary, IPO, Electoral Commission under serious manners.

    The constitution is being torn apart. No regard for it. No respect for our Laws. So many instances where those same people defend and protect such bad governance and disregard for our Laws, it’s not funny. Many of them support opaque Dominica passport sales and diplomatic passports to God knows whom.

    Many of them sympathetic to the ruling DLP Govt. and all the corruption revealed about those involved Too many facts and evidence have caught those involved Red-handed. They continue to uphold MASSA control. See what Black Leaders of today are doing to their own people in Dominica. Who said that Dominicans are too free?

    A New colonial operation. Greed and selfishness. Quick Enrichment while in public Office. Defending Bin and Fertilizer Bobols. Secret deals (land deals, sales of our Passports, kick-backs, just name them), that’s what they defend.

    The colonial masters of the times were heartless and the slave trade was horrific. But in this 21st. century, we are witnessing a new colonial, Massa rule with supporters of that system saying one thing, but doing the opposite.

    Those same guys support The DLP Govt. establishing relations with a colonial, occupying power, oppressing the Suffering people of Western Sahara. The UN has recognized and given support to the Polisario Front fighting on behalf of the Sahawaris, against the Moroccan King and his Govt. Double standards.

    A skewed hypocritical grouping. Further Information on colonialism, slavery, slave trade, dictatorship, democracy, will not change the mindset of those who misconstrue historical facts and seem hell-bent to repeat such ways in new forms.

    • GEE
      April 7, 2014

      My biggest disappointment is the composition of this committee. Either Wiltshire or Para should have been there man.

  43. power house
    April 7, 2014

    one more comment . This should have been part of the independence negotians in 1978

  44. April 7, 2014

    This is just for show. Skerrit is not serious about and interested in black people and their slavery story. The man is thilthy rich!! This was put in place just because Lennox has started to talk about it. If he was serious, he would select people like Dr Pascal and even Tiyani who have been the lone voices championing this cause?
    This is just an attempt to silence Lennox and to look like he is actually doing something. Unfortunately, this is going to be a whole lot of cheap talk and no action. Sorry guys.

    • Simply the Truth
      April 7, 2014

      How do you know that the PM is really interested in this – reparation? I do not want to implicate him in anything. It is my feeling that he may just be going along with the other governments of Caricom.
      Consider which island government commenced this. It was not Dominica. You should know that D/ca is always last and no doubt last to be consulted. They call our country small island, right?
      Did you not read that other Caricom countries are involved with this? Whether we agree or disagree, they have already made up their minds. This is why a D/can committee was formed.
      Let us see how far the Caricom countries will get, how much and how long it will take them to settle this. Some years I suppose. If we are alive and the world is still in existence, we will know and hear more.

  45. shaka Zulu
    April 7, 2014

    It is about time. Lets teach our children about the great worrior shaka zulu et al. I would culculate like this. The number off slaves transported to the caribbean during the slave years times the highest price a slave was sold X the number of years of slavery X the revenue earned by the slave maters at the time X cost of pain and suffering, imprisonment, genocide, toture, humiliation, denial of history, seperation of family………… then adjust total for todays equivalent.
    Do you know how hard ir is to listen to my white friends Talk about there great great great………….. grand parent come from poland/ britain/germany/ ect. And they are proud of their ansestors while i can only go back to a plantation with my english last name.
    I hope they get to pay for their crimes against us black people

    • greeneyes
      April 7, 2014

      Shaka Zula, you mention your white friends from Poland/Britian/Germany hope they get to pay for their crimes against us black people. Do not call them your friends. Start at the beginning to black leaders in Africa who sold their own people for money, goods even buying other tribal persons. My Europeon grandfather was forced into Russian communist military there was no refusal allowed so be aware there are many forms of slavery against all races.

      • Ben Haynes PsyD
        April 7, 2014

        Africans sold their people for slavery. Prove that to me my brother.

      • DF4LYFE
        April 8, 2014

        @Greeneyes,The soul beneficiaries of slavery were not the Africans but the European nations and America. After the Africans supposedly sold their tribal foe they were also shackle right next to them on the boat.Don’t be bambozzle by lies. Futhermore,comparing your “Russian” grandfather military tenure to slavery is simply asinine. Slavery in the Caribbeans/Americas was generational bondage you were born as a slave. I’m assuming you not serving in the russian military?

    • Simply the Truth
      April 7, 2014

      You should know your ancestral history on both sides. The majority of us D/cans, if not all, have great, great grands and other relatives who originated from Europe as France, Great Britain and also Africa. What about their great, great grands? Most of our parents informed us about their heritage. I would think likewise yours. Did they not inform you? Some of those relatives are alive, i.e., their generations. They do not know us and we do not know them.
      To tell you the truth, there isn’t much we can do about what occurred then. It is history. What every Caribbean national should do is to love one another; be good to each other; cease hating, harming and murdering their fellow people. This type of evil behavior and treatment has escalated through the years to today. And there is talk and discussions about reparation, requesting it and of expecting it?

    • agent Smith
      April 8, 2014

      how presently living people are responsible for the crimes committed hundred years ago? you can’t blame white people in general for slavery…why you should be compensated? What is your personal damage from slavery..right answer is zero.

  46. concern
    April 7, 2014

    Good idea but what kind of committee is that without one woman what about Mr Bernard Wiltshire, Hon. Ron GREEN these man should be on that committee .Oh boy party politics is killing DOMINICA bad bad bad Come guys do better than that.

    • Not a herd follower
      April 7, 2014

      I agree with you. Bernard Wiltshire should be on the committee. Dr. William ”Para” Riviere should also be on the committee. And why is Damian Dublin the Chairperson when there are others – Riviere who is a historian and lawyer, for example- more suitable for that position than him.

      • Simply the Truth
        April 7, 2014

        Since the committee is already formed, to satisfy those who would like them to be on the committee, they should increase the number including adding a woman on this committee. :)

  47. April 7, 2014

    This is a very good idea because after i have seen here where i am living that some powerful rich merchants who had 5 slave plantations in jamaica ,their family are all rich from generation to generation after they have enslaved jamaicans to become rich and left them poor by taking every cent ,,,
    As for Dominica elrose estate at soufriere ,where people worked for years ,not one worker became rich ,the hasler family who are rich here, are all rich through the sweat of dominicans,except one man who was a politician who claimed almost all the land under gov’t’s eyes and now left his son every thing ….
    It is time for black people to get what belonged to them so that they can also leave for the future generation…

    • Simply the Truth
      April 7, 2014

      Think of the other estates in Dominica. The owners have sold to the government and also to residents. These areas are now residents-owned property. Think of who were the original owners. Will an individual or a family benefit from this reparation?
      We must be careful not to start a war, discrimination and hatred over this. Money has a way of contributing to this.

  48. Frank Talker
    April 7, 2014

    Great idea! My only beef is that I would make a slight change to the team. Ras Shillingford, LL.B, would add some value to the cause. He has historical information, personal values and legal training which are indispensable. Tiyani Benhazin and/or Bernard Wiltshire and/or Para Riviere should be on the team too. But I am in full agreement for Honeychurch, Imani, Rabess, Garnet, Bully and Nicholas. Nuff respect!

  49. Observer
    April 7, 2014

    What about Mr.Blanc???

  50. agent Smith
    April 7, 2014

    history should be known and remembered but how realistic is the prospect of getting hundreds of billion pounds out of UK, France and Netherlands? Seriously, from political point of view slavery was condemned many decades ago but its insane to discuss seriously any prospect of compensation…

  51. resident
    April 7, 2014

    Not one woman on the committee…shame.

  52. NKRUMAH KWAME
    April 7, 2014

    Let me applaud those responsible for forming the committee; however, I to make two comments: 1. it is a serious “error, mistake, oversight” not to have Dr. William “Para” Riviere as a team member once he is willing to participate. 2. The law firm of Leigh Day should NOT be contracted to do business on our behalf on this all important issue. Reason? They horrendously misrepresented the interests of the Kenyan Mau Mau revolutionaries. Later this week, I’ll provide information regarding a much more reputable law firm.

    HOTEP!

    • him
      April 7, 2014

      Bernard Wiltshire is the man.

    • Simply the Truth
      April 7, 2014

      Those law firms stand to gain an exorbitant sum for their representation.

  53. Anonymous
    April 7, 2014

    So no reparation for women then? Allu men tan!!

    • Simply the Truth
      April 7, 2014

      :lol: This does not mean women will not be represented. Having stated that, remember in those days, only men ruled then. Yes! We could ask why was a D/can woman not considered and chosen? Are we to assume that they concluded no woman in D/ca is competent enough to be on the committee? We should also look into the other Caricom islands committee choice. Are there women on their committee?

  54. Anonymous
    April 7, 2014

    hmmm that committee……..what is the basis for such membership. I wonder if some really understands

  55. Labourite
    April 7, 2014

    Not one woman on the Reparations Committee, so no woman can represent where money is involved and why do we want to benefit from reparations when we ourselves done the Kalinagos so much evil. The Wesley woman that is the minister they could make her Chairman we papa… I say it’s time we have hippos in leadership in the country

  56. Ben Haynes PsyD
    April 7, 2014

    We are witnessing the almost impossible here. Or, will this be the story without an ending? What will be the burning questions Caribbean people will be asking, What to do if payment is refused, and what actions to take if these nations become bullies with payments? Suddenly, we have these powers to demand, decide, and to make these slave nations bleed. But l wonder, how are we going to do that?How easy it was for France to demand so much money from Haiti after the Revolution, even after the major earthquake. Bullying nations saw to it that payments were made. The cost of payment is very high and many or all former slave nations are in debt. How much money is owed, and would be paid should be debated with profound seriousness, and the time to make and end payment must be given careful thought with all populations involvement. Reparation is necessary, right, and democratic and we can add, just. For continued friendly relations nations must pay their dues on time, so that we all can value human life as sacred and equal.

    • Simply the Truth
      April 7, 2014

      Good questions! If they fail to accept the amount which is requested of them and they also fail to pay it, the Caricom nations could resort to the UN and hope the UN will be competent enough to handle this situation and to solve it.

    • agent Smith
      April 8, 2014

      but how democratic values and sacredness of human life related to the reparation? Why UK tax payer should donate their tax money to compensate something to you? How you personally suffered from slavery?…as the matter of fact West paid hundreds of billions of dollars to Africa as aid, advancement, compensation etc…and what? Africa still not good place to be and continue to beg money…I personally believe that people and states of 21st century do not owe anything to Africa, Caribbean etc…

  57. power house
    April 7, 2014

    I think this is a publicity stunt and looking at the list I see names of people who should know this is a waste of time and pure garbage . I think this is water under the bridge .Move on .this sounds like the mentality that Al Shapton and Jesie Jackson use to enrichen themselves and at the same time cause the black population to remain in poverty like the guy who once had a broken leg but complain I HAVE A BROKEN LEG. refusing to move on

    • Simply the Truth
      April 7, 2014

      Jessie Jackson

  58. Open Mind
    April 7, 2014

    :twisted: :mrgreen: :?: Here goes again another partisan initiative! The government only name those it thinks is on its side. Damian Dublin, Lennox Honeychurch,Bernard Nicholas, Felix Gregoire and the likes. None of the advocates like Bernard Wiltshire who has for years, even before Roosevelt Skeritt was born.Franklin Georges is good, but not sure how much the others will archive. Where is Dr.Irvin Pascal, who just attendided a function and has been doing some work having to do with the reparation?

    • %
      April 7, 2014

      @Open mind I fully support your point of view Sir/Madam. This is the same reason why progrees in this poor country will always be at snails pace. Peoples contribution to national development are being truncated based on party political colours. THIS IS REALLY UNFORTUNATE.

    • Ben Haynes PsyD
      April 7, 2014

      Who the hell cares of who is in and who is not. As mush as l doubt these foreign powers, and their payment of our money lets get this thing out in the open. They owe us.

  59. cc
    April 7, 2014

    We need to free ourselves from mental slavery first, before we start talking about reparation.

    • Ben Haynes PsyD
      April 7, 2014

      No, lets get our money first then, we can talk about anything after.

  60. Mwen
    April 7, 2014

    Why isn’t Dr>. Pascal(ENT) part of that committee. He is the only one I’ve heard talking about this. He sounded quite informed on the topic. Did he not show interest in being part of it?

    • Anonymous
      April 7, 2014

      Only supporters of the Government can be members.

      • Simply the Truth
        April 7, 2014

        This is your assumption but is it true? Ensure what you state is correct. You should perform a research on this matter.

  61. Pondera
    April 7, 2014

    Come on guys, get going. This is interest stuff.

    • Simply the Truth
      April 7, 2014

      :lol: interesting stuff. :lol:

  62. April 7, 2014

    Good idear, but shouldnt we start with removing ourselves for that political slavery mentality we got in D/ca :-D

    • Anonymous
      April 7, 2014

      Good question, but what do you mean by political slavery?

      • Anonymous
        April 7, 2014

        I suppose the writer meant colonial mindset.

      • April 7, 2014

        That I was born that party and I will die that party, no matter what, mentality
        :-D

    • Simply the Truth
      April 7, 2014

      You are assuming that a political slavery mentality exists in Dominica. Who are they who possess this mentality? How did you arrive at this conclusion?
      Why do some of you continue to dwell on this “slavery mentality?” I could challenge you on this and to state that it is your personal opinion of others which is incorrect.
      It is also demeaning to assume that people have a political slavery mentality when they support a Party and do not support another and that you do not have such a mentality. You are placing yourself above others. This is pride. The other way around, would it be you who have this mentality? Otherwise, why continue to mention it?

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available