The United Nations has passed a resolution designating the transatlantic chattel slave trade as the “gravest crime against humanity” and advocating for reparations. This landmark vote, supported by the African Union and Caribbean Community, aims to politically recognize and address the enduring impact of this historical atrocity. While 123 states voted in favor, some, including the US, voted against, and others, like the UK, abstained, citing concerns about creating a hierarchy of historical wrongs. The resolution is a significant step towards acknowledging the profound historical and ongoing consequences of slavery and colonialism.
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Survivors and descendants of historical racial injustices, such as the Tulsa Race Massacre and the Ocoee Massacre, are calling for reparations to address centuries of systemic violence and economic dispossession. These events, which saw Black communities destroyed and wealth stolen, highlight a persistent struggle for justice and acknowledgment. While some limited forms of amends, like scholarships, have been proposed, many argue they do not go far enough to compensate for the profound historical wrongs. The debate over reparations, including the historical precedent of “40 acres and a mule” and past reparations to other groups, continues as the nation grapples with its legacy of racial inequality.
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The recent United Nations vote regarding the formal recognition of the transatlantic slave trade as the “gravest crime against humanity” has brought to the forefront a complex web of historical grievances and contemporary political considerations. The resolution, spearheaded by Ghana’s president, aimed not only to acknowledge the profound suffering caused by this historical injustice but also to call for official apologies and the establishment of a reparations fund. However, the United States, alongside Israel and Argentina, cast votes against this measure, sparking considerable debate and consternation.
It’s important to understand the nuances of the resolution as presented. While the headline might suggest a broader rejection of slavery as a crime, the specific focus was on the transatlantic slave trade and its unique impact.… Continue reading
Harvard University’s 2022 report, “Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery,” detailed the institution’s extensive ties to the transatlantic slave trade and launched an initiative to identify living descendants of those enslaved by Harvard affiliates. Richard Cellini, tasked with leading this genealogical research, uncovered nearly 500 living descendants, prompting concerns from university administrators who allegedly sought to limit the number identified. This led to Cellini’s dismissal and the project’s redirection, raising questions about the university’s commitment to full transparency and reconciliation. Jordan Lloyd, a descendant discovered through this research, now grapples with the emotional complexities of her newly uncovered family history and the university’s response.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood