Envisioning reparations: historical and comparative approaches

Convenor

• Sabine Cadeau (Cambridge Legacies of Enslavement Inquiry, University of Cambridge)

Keynotes

• Opening: Thomas Holt (University of Chicago)
• Closing: Sir Hilary Beckles (University of the West Indies)

Speakers

• Antonio Sergio Alfredo Guimaraes (Universidade de Sao Paulo)
• Malik Al Nasir (University of Cambridge)
• Michael Banner (University of Cambridge)
• Caree Ann Marie Banton (University of Arkansas)
• Marlene Daut (Yale University)
• Michael Dawson (University of Chicago)
• Theodore Francis (Abilene Christian University)
• Kodzo Gavua  (University of Ghana)
• Edward González Tennant (University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley)
• Kamm Howard (First Repair)
• Jovan Lewis (University of California, Berkeley)
• Natasha Lightfoot (Columbia University)
• Toussaint Losier (University of Massachusetts, Amherst)
• Constant Méheut (New York Times)
• Guy Mount (Wake Forest University)
• Kai Parker (Universty of Virginia)
• Winston F. Phulgence (University of West Indies)
• Alderwoman Robin Rue Simmons (First Repair)
• Henning Grosse Ruse-Khan (University of Cambridge)
• Philippe Sands (University College London)
• Alphonso Saville (Princeton University)
• Verene Shepherd (University of West Indies, Mona Campus)
• Christopher Todd (University of North Texas)

Summary

In light of Cambridge’s exploration of its historical connections to colonialism and slavery, this conference proposes to bring together scholars of Africa and the African diaspora in order to generate a broad discussion on the concept of ‘reparation’ as it relates to Black history and Black movements for freedom and equality. Rather than focusing exclusively on the UK, the US, or English-speaking Caribbean countries, this conference invites the broadest possible discussion of the black populations throughout the Americas as well as the formerly colonised nations of Africa.

Sessions will specifically address the origins and evolution of reparations movements from the period of slavery until the present, and the conference invites debates on the horizons of possibility for this controversial and embattled cause. Calls for varying forms of reparations have raised questions about the place of morality, politics, economics and law in evolving interpretations of the past.

This conference proposes to contribute to the University of Cambridge legacies of enslavement inquiry through dialogue with world-leading scholars on Black history while also creating a forum to advance the rapidly evolving public debate on slavery’s long legacies and the idea of historical reparation.

In the years before independence people were beaten, their land was stolen, women were raped, men were castrated and their children were killed. I do not hold her [the Queen] personally responsible but I would like the wrongs which were done to me and other Kenyans to be recognised by the British Government so that I can die in peace.

-Wambugu Wa Nyingi

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