Britain does not owe a SINGLE PENNY to the Caribbean nations
When boxer & civil rights activist Muhammad Ali was asked what he thought of Africa, he replied: “I'm just glad my granddaddy got on that boat!”
Africa was never going to become Wakanda, with or without colonisation
The fact is, as horrific & awful as slavery was, the descendants of slaves today have a far better life than if their ancestors had never left West Africa.
Globally, black Americans are the richest part of the black diaspora, with black Canadians and Britons following not far behind.
The descendants of slaves in the Caribbean live around 10-15 years longer than in West Africa - and their GDP per capita is approx. 10 x higher.
Thanks to their British colonial inheritance* the Caribbean states are stable, democratic, middle income countries.
Many outrank regional neighbours (non-British colonies) on the UN Human Development Index - including countries such as Brazil or Mexico.
If we were having this discussion in the 19th century, when slaves were alive, I'd absolutely support reparations.
But by every measure, today, in the 21st century, the Caribbean nations and the descendants of slaves that live there are benefitting from the legacy of British colonialism.
That's something to celebrate rather than denounce. A cause for pride rather than shame.
*English language, common law, parliament, judiciary, education system, civil service, military, police, hospitals & medicine, sanitation, electricity, roads etc. etc.
Me on
@GBNews (old interview)👇