2021 - Page 6 of 6 - REPARATION HUB

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23 Jun

Advantanges And Disadvantages Of Diaspora Africans Moving Back To The Homeland

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The slave trade has taken a lot of things from Africans as a whole. The loss of generations of capable young men and women created a huge gap that will take light years before Africa can recover. This is a loss that even the migration of diaspora Africans back home cannot replace. But it is important to note that this will be a perfect step in the right direction where it to happen.

Let us, therefore, examine the advantages and disadvantages that come with Diaspora Africans moving back home.

THE PROS:

They Will Feel More Welcomed

Like it or not, the West has continued to be plagued by discrimination cases of people of color. However, the opposite will be the case when these people of African descent return home. They will be made to feel at home as they are in the midst of people who look like them and people who wouldn’t judge them by their skin color or religion and beliefs. This is one of the most incredible benefits of Africans returning home to Africa.

Positive Influence on Development

We can agree that the number of diaspora Africans in different fields in the West can rival that of the natives if not overcome them. This displays the level of ingenuity and innovation that African is known for. A move back home will only mean that diaspora Africans will be coming home with a wealth of experience from the countries in the West.

The majority of these countries in America and Europe are developed and advanced in technology, medicine, engineering, even in handwork and skills. Bringing these levels of experience will be massive for the growth of the African continent to become what its rich resources have meant it to be.

Political Influence

Despite the independence of Africa from colonialism, the West continues to have massive control over its political structure due to its rich natural resources. The Congo, for instance, should be one the wealthiest countries in the world, but they lack the resources (both human and equipment) to tap generously from their gold mine. This left them under the control of the greedy West, who continues to milk them dry.

Now imagine if the African Congolese descendants in several parts of the West return home. They would surely get the necessary human resources to manage their natural resources for their development.

The Rich Cultural Impact and Dynamism

The African culture is beautiful in that anyone can be part of it no matter where you come from. So Diaspora Africans moving home will only strengthen their sense of belonging towards their culture, and they can also impact them with the culture they’re used to in the West. This will bring a rich mix that will change Africans’ lives and enlighten and enrichen their culture further.

THE CONS:

The Change in Environment may be Negative

Despite the majestic strides that have been made in Africa in recent years, she continues to lack some basic amenities. For example, some communities in Africa can still not get access to good drinking water and electricity. The wide gap in the way of living that they’re used to in the West may be much for migrating diaspora Africans to cope with. Even the effectiveness of security may not be as guaranteed as it is in the West.

This is a massive gap that diasporas may find hard to cope with.

The Cultural Gap

Most African societies still practice certain cultures that the West may consider strange and archaic. Despite the eagerness of some diaspora Africans to belong and practice these cultures, it will test their coping mechanism in ways they have never seen before. This is one of the enormous impediments that may deter many of them from returning home.

Leadership Structure

Some African societies still very much practice a monarchical system of leadership that might clash with the liberal life of the West. This can impede any diaspora African who has never subjugated to anyone in their life. Moreover, getting used to such a way of living can be shocking for anyone coming back home to Africa.

To Summarize Briefly

It’s not ideal for diaspora Africans to be filled with dreamy versions of the motherland without first grasping the implications that such a change will have on them. Coming home is a great deal, but staying home in peace and harmony is the goal. Click here for more information on relocating to Africa.

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18 Jun

Slavery Reparations Go Beyond African Americans

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West African Descent:

Today, Africans in the diaspora still suffer due to the ill-treatment and slavery they suffered for many years. In 1860, about $3 billion was estimated as the worth of the descendants of African slaves used as free labor and $250 million estimated as the worth of cotton produced by them. All of these would have benefited the people of Africa.

All that suffered due to the injustice done to them have had reparations paid to them except Africans in the diaspora.

Brief History of Slave Trade:

Slave trade existed long before the transatlantic slave trade originated in the 15th century when the Portuguese and other European nations expanded their reach to Africa. Initially, Africans were kidnapped then taken to Europe for slavery; however, the increase in the demand for African labor lead to Africans being sold as slaves to American continents. The majority of the captives were from western African countries like Senegal, Nigeria, and Benin.

In total, about 25 million Africans were sold into captivity. Africa being the only continent affected this way, experienced a significant population decline, leading to the economic challenges still evident today; meanwhile, Europe and other nations were enriched. A Virginia law created in 1662 decreed that “the status of the child followed the status of the mother,” condemning unborn children to a life of slavery.

Reparation for Black People:

Reparation is a system created to pay back the descendants of African slaves for the great injustice done against them. The Durban Conference against Racism held in 2001 advocated that the Western world owed reparation to Africa, and the reparation is for the slave trade, colonialism, and the post-colonial era.

This is because the slave trade, which deprived Africa of adequate human resources and colonization, which caused an uneven tapping of natural resources, led to the unstable economy, political and cultural damage of Africa.

Others subjected to injustice and slavery have received apologies and have been compensated. For example, West Germany agreed to pay 3.45 billion Deutsche Marks to Holocaust survivors in 1952, and Native Americans got lands and dollars in billions for being forcibly exiled from their lands. Africans are the only ones still not paid despite the many opportunities for them to be though they were affected the most.

How Far Slavery Reparations Has Gone:

A bill called H.R. 40 was introduced about 30 years ago by Late John Conyers. Following the 1988 Civil Liberties Act, it was passed, which led to the reparations for Japanese Americans affected by the war. However, this bill did not gain ground till 2019.

The voting carried out by the congressional committee on the 14th of April, 2021, moved the bill forward; therefore, Africans in the diaspora closer to being compensated.

Reparations Black People Deserve:

Great monetary value was placed on Africans and their labor during their slavery; so, it necessary for Africans in the diaspora to be compensated for growing and closing the racial wealth and economic gap. This reparation should be in the form of;

Payment for lost wages and damages:

Free tuition or cutback on tuition
Grants for businesses and housing
Free properties for those who have proof of African slave origin

The reparations should be received by black people who can trace their origin to the people enslaved and those who can prove they were excluded from various policies.

Final Thoughts:

Reparations for descendants of African slaves are long overdue. It is necessary to atone for the suffering the blacks endured centuries ago and are still enduring due to various policies that have made them inferior to others. Their labor helped enrich those that enslaved them, and up until now, they have not been compensated calls for intervention.

Justice needs to be served to Africans in the diaspora, now, not later!! Take the west Africa interactive tour for more info.

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14 Jun

Why Africans in Diaspora Should Invest in West Africa

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Why West Africa?

Harvard professor and economist Nathan Nunn revealed that the poorest countries in Africa were majorly affected by the slave trade. Years after the exploitation of its resources and workforce, Africa still suffers the consequences. Recall that largest and most popular slave trade was the trans-Atlantic slave trade that affected most parts of West Africa. This has left West Africa the most scarred by the slave trade, and the repercussion is glaring in all sectors, especially the economic sector.

Because West Africa has the highest number of countries of all the regions in Africa, a considerable disruption in its economy or socio-political activities will directly or indirectly affect other African countries. In the same way, massive growth in the economic system of West Africa translates to the development of the majority of African nations, which will invariably impact Africa in general.

It might also be necessary to consider the fact that the majority of Africans now in Diaspora are of West African ancestry, no thanks to the trans-Atlantic slave trade. If charity is to begin at home, as always said, West Africa is a safe place for Diasporans to start investing.

Improving investment Methods:

Although Africans in Diaspora have contributed by various means to the continent’s economy, most of their investments are inclined towards consumption rather than the production factors of the continent. This calls for an adjustment in their investment methods because the aim is to help in developing the economy of the nations, and this can be better achieved by increasing production.

An effective way of increasing production is through diaspora entrepreneurship. This investment tool goes a long way to provide job opportunities for the teeming population of the continent. Also, it is a means to supply products that are of vital importance to the African nation.

One hindrance to diasporans investing within the continent is the information barrier. Some interested investors are discouraged by the lack of proper information to guide their decision. Creating an interactive forum with Africans within the continent can help in bridging the information barrier. Thanks to technology, interacting with people across the globe is almost always a click away.

Conclusion:

Generally, Africans in Diaspora have been investing in the continent. However, there is a need to improve the method of investment to increase productivity which is the primary reason for the investment.

More so, West Africa, which suffered a great deal from the trans-Atlantic slave trade, the effect of which is now evident in its economy, should be a focus area for Africans in Diaspora. This is necessary because West Africa is the most prominent African region, and growth in its economy will impact other African regions as will a drawback.

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3 Feb

Money Owed To Black People

Reparation Hub

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Racial Reparations 101:

Reparations for black Americans have been a long-standing debate since the end of the slave trade. The announcement “All slaves are free” made by Gordon Granger on June 19 1865, was followed by a promise from the federal government to provide “40 acres and a mule” to all freed slaves. This promise was later reversed, leaving a great financial gap between the white and black races. The result has been a continuous clamoring for black slavery reparations.

Overview of Reparations in the U.S:

As repayment for forceful exile from their homeland, Native Americans have received billions of dollars (for different reasons) as well as lands. Also, Japanese Americans imprisoned during world war II were paid $1.5 billion. Similarly, Jews received reparations after the Holocaust through the United State’s Marshall Plan.

Black Americans are yet to receive reparations for the West African Slave Trade. This leaves them as the only race yet to be compensated through any form of reparation for the state-approved racial discrimination that was utterly brutal.

The Slavery Reparations Bill:

Over 30 years ago, Late John Conyers, a congressman, introduced the H.R. 40 bill following the passage of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which fostered reparations for Japanese Americans affected by the war. Sadly, the H.R. 40 did not gain proper recognition until 2019, when there was a second congress hearing by the house over the bill.

On April 14, 2021, a congressional committee voted over the H.R. 40 slavery reparations bill. For the first time in history, the vote moved the bill out of the committee level to the House floor, where it will gain broad deliberation.

Possible Reparations for Black Slavery:

Although there is no generally accepted view on what black slavery reparations should be like, the Harriet Tubman Community Investment Act has tried to use a standard that addresses sensitive areas.

The following measures will make part of a good reparations policy –

Making payments to individuals who are descendants of Black American slaves.
4 or 2 years of college tuition for descendants of black American slaves
The pardoning of student loan
Grants for the down payment and housing revitalization
Business grants or expansion, and
Purchasing of property for people who can trace their origin back to the enslaved black Americans.

Conclusion:

Black slavery reparations are a long-overdue atonement, and the first positive feedback on the H.R. 40 is a step in the right direction. Although some scholars opine that no amount of money can pay for the grave injustice, recognition of fault and an apology is a good step towards healing.

More so, to make for a complete and unbiased reparation, it is necessary to include all the black people in the diaspora into whatever policy the state makes as regard black slavery reparation. This is because blacks in the diaspora can trace their origin to victims of the West African slave trade in one way or another. As such, they are equally deserving of justice.

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