This House would compensate the descendants of slaves
Slavery is the use or the threat of violence to make another do work without compensation, and usually involves the ownership of one person by another. It was abolished in the USA in 1865 and was universally abolished by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, although it has persisted in some countries to the present day. Given that their ancestors were abused, ought governments and/or corporations to be made to make reparations for slavery? There are different types of slavery. The traditional form of slavery (the one most people immediately think of) is chattel slavery, in which the person is viewed as personal property of the 'owner'. Humans are bought and sold as commodities. It is, however, the least common form today. Another type is debt bondage, in which a person can agree to be used for unpaid labor in the event of being unable to repay a loan. There is not always a definite period of time given and the debt can be passed from one generation to the next. This is the most prevalent form of slavery today and usually occurs in developing countries. Human trafficking can involve being tricked or kidnapped into slavery. Forced labor tends to occur in war zones, where the threat of violence coerces people into slavery and it can include forced conscription, usually into militias and child soldiers.
This debate focuses on reparations for slavery in the trans-Atlantic trade, because it is the area of trade for which African countries, Caribbean countries and African Americans campaign for reparations.
Bibliography
Berry, Mary Francis. "My Face Is Black Is True: Callie House and the Struggle for Ex-Slave Reparations". 2005. USA.
Brock, Robert. "BLACK REPARATION MEETINGS ACROSS THE COUNTRY "THE NEW MILLENIUM"".
Brown, Gene A. Reparations for Slavery and Disenfranchisement to African Americans: Four Hundred Years. August 13th, 2007. USA.
Cose, Ellis. Bone to Pick: Of Forgiveness, Reconciliation, Reparation, and Revenge. 2004. NY, USA.
Flaherty, Peter and Carlisle, John. "The Case Against Slave Reparations." Harper's Magazine.
"Human Rights and Reparations." All for Reparations and Emancipation (AFRE).
"Join the Fight for Reparations." 40 Acres.
Muhammad, Kevin A. The Slave Diet: Disease and Reparations. 2003. Delaware, USA.
Have a good for or against point on this topic? Share it with us!