As a young black Caribbean woman, I am conscious that my ancestors were Africans, given the complexion of my skin, which forever reminds me and others with similar skin pigmentation of a very dark era in history endured by our ancestors.
My forefathers were amongst those who were forcibly uprooted from their homes in Africa and brought to the Caribbean, as they became victims to slavery and the transatlantic slave trade - "the greatest human tragedy in history, in terms of its scale and duration", as described by the French historian Jean-Michel Deveau. Hence, I am of African descent and I am part of a large ethnic group across the globe that continues to suffer the consequences of slavery, as we continue to receive insufficient recognition for the fact that as humans, "We are all born free and equal in dignity and rights", as is laid out in the first article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It therefore warms my heart to know that the United Nations, after years of deliberation, has declared 2015-2024 as the International Decade for People of African Descent, under the theme "People of African Descent: Recognition, Justice and Development".
The purpose of this decade, according to the Declaration, is for the global community to promote and protect the human rights of people of African descent, expand the knowledge base of all global citizens with respect to the cultural diversity of people of African descent and to adopt and strengthen legal frameworks at all levels worldwide, in line with the Durban Declaration and Plan of Action and the International Convention of the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination. However, the question then is, is this enough? In my estimation, it is not enough, but it is a step in the right direction to help improve the lives of African descendants, if serious and consistent efforts are to be made during this period, to advance the cause of people of African descent.
According to most literature, the African slave trade lasted for more than 400 years. Though this human atrocity was officially abolished over 200 years ago in most places, this ugly chapter of history is yet unfinished. Today, people of African descent still suffer many forms of human degradation, including prejudice, xenophobia, discrimination and of course the greatest obstacle of them all, racism. These challenges have made people of African descent very vulnerable to inequality in many spheres of life, including access to quality education, health care, security, housing, legal protection and employment and have placed them at an even greater risk of suffering from racial violence, as they continue to be viewed as inferior.
The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon himself has even made it pellucid that "We must remember that people of African descent are amongst those most affected by racism." Global news is daily punctuated with stories of people of African descent whose basic universal human rights have been disenfranchised and jeopardized, many times for reasons which cannot be justified, in some countries more than others.
Nonetheless, it is possible that the current realities facing people of African descent can be best summarized using the words of renowned Caribbean historian and principal and pro-vice chancellor of the University of the West Indies, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, when he remarked that, "Millions of African descendants are still breathing the foul air that blows from the stench of slavery. Aspects of these legacies are as alive today, as they were two centuries ago." Therefore, could 10 years really be enough to eradicate the harsh consequences that are rooted in over 400 years of African slavery, where laws classified Africans as non-humans? Is a decade sufficient to raise the profile of the plight of people of African descent today and create that U-turn we need, with respect to how people of African descent are still treated globally? Again, I say it is not enough.
At the end of 2024, it is expected that when the evaluation is done the international community would have made significant progress to bring relief to the many people of African descent, who continue to face what I would term "black consequences". But what are the plans after 2024? Should all movements to champion the cause for recognition, justice and development scale down and funds be redirected elsewhere, since as an international community we would have spent 10 years already tackling this cause? The answer is a resounding no.
To set aside a specific period to bring into sharp focus the tough realities encountered by people of African descent is commendable, but we must ensure that this does not create a very short lived progress for people of African descent. We need to ensure that greater emphasis is placed on ensuring that the mechanisms, legal and otherwise are put in place to enable these dialogues and activities to go beyond 2024, and are furthered by future generations. This 10-year period must in fact be used to construct a solid foundation and serve as the catalyst for a sustainable approach for bringing people of African descent of out of days of gloom and into days of light, where their contributions to the development of the modern world can be acknowledged, valued and respected.
Currently, throughout the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), in an attempt to seek recognition, justice and development for people of African descent, there have been an increasing number of discussions and activities to elevate the discourse for reparations for slavery for those of African descent. In March 2014, CARICOM heads of government unanimously approved a 10-point action plan for reparations proposed by the CARICOM Reparations Commission as a major step towards formalizing their demands for reparatory justice for those who sadly continue to suffer because of slavery.
Although many developed countries are yet to apologize for slavery, much less agree to reparations, even though they were able to successfully develop their economies through the exploitation of African slaves, the demand for reparations is undoubtedly valid and legitimate, and a clarion call for reparations should continue until it is granted.
The legacy of slavery has continued to retard the development of people of African descent politically, economically, socially, culturally and academically and reparations consistent with those outlined in the CARICOM 10-point action plan for reparations, would be a game changer for people of African descent. As is evident in the action plan, reparations for people of African descent means much more than writing us a check for a few million pounds, euros or American dollars. Therefore, as Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream, I too have a dream that one day, as members of the human family and members of an ever expanding global community with shrinking borders, and increasing migrant flows, every citizen of this planet would endeavor to respect the inherent dignity of all persons and afford each other equal rights and justice, so that we can all live in peace and harmony on this planet as we strive to build a better world for generations to come.
o Sonia Boddie is a Foreign Service Officer in St Kitts and Nevis. This column is published with permission from Caribbean News Now
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