Module 5.1: Collective Research - Humanities in Class Online Courses Forum

Accra Declaration

William Fee — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 14:37:22 +0000

The Accra Declaration focuses on collective harms, especially economic, that we caused by the Slave Trade. While it calls for reparations, they are mostly to repair the African countries economies to where they would be without colonialism. In addition, they ask for a United Nations Decade for People of African Descent, aid in economic restoration, and recognition of the issues from colonial Nations. The harm named in the Declaration is mainly harm to countries.

In contrast, the demands from the Diaspora are personal. They want the same recognition of harm the Accra Declaration calls for, but what is being recognized is ongoing harm to persons and culture, and ongoing policies that are designed to benefit the white European male and his descendants.

Accra declaration

Mandy Rodgers-Gates — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 23:32:33 +0000

The declaration focuses on the harms perpetrated by colonialism and its close siblings - neocolonialism, apartheid, and segregation. Its purpose it to highlight past harms but also their ongoing effects, for the purpose of bringing healing to Africans and people of African descent and importantly to African communities and socioeconomic systems. The coalition of those who wrote the declaration helpfully highlight the role of various actors in perpetrating harm, acknowledging the complexity of this history and its ongoing effects: European governments, private institutions, corporations, financial institutions, and families, along with certain Africans in particular places who participated (which the coalition states requires investigation of the historical data).

They look for results in the short term such as "independent, self-sufficient knowledge systems and Black media/Communications platforms," towards the goal of raising awareness of Global African movements and their call for healing and reparations. Other steps include coming up with clear definitions of and criteria for reparations and encouraging African political leaders and institutions to take center stage. More long term results would include the return of artifacts and human remains to the communities from which they were stolen, a global summit to facilitate truth-telling and reconciliation, and the contribution of all towards "prosperous economies" throughout Africa.

The demands coming from African communities calling for justice and from Afro-descendants in the US surely overlap at many points, as all were harmed in some form by one complex global system made possible by colonial power and greed. They diverge, of course, where African-Americans have a need to focus on issues particular to the US and their relationship to the US government and wider society.

Collective Research

Hugo Perez — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 04:44:58 +0000

The author identifies various harms inflicted on people of African descent due to historical injustices like slavery, colonization, and segregation. They highlight the intergenerational trauma, inequality, disenfranchisement, and loss of cultural heritage that have resulted from these injustices. In terms of repair, the declaration proposes various forms of redress, including formal apologies, restitution, rehabilitation, compensation, and guarantees of non-repetition. It calls for recognition of the rights of victims, transformation of institutions and structures that perpetuate racial inequality, and the promotion of racial healing and reconciliation. The key actors involved in this declaration are the perpetrators of historical crimes (such as colonial powers and slave traders), the victims (people of African descent who have suffered from these injustices), and advocates for justice who support reparations and racial healing. The results that the authors hope to achieve through the declaration include recognition of past injustices, acknowledgment of the continuing impact of these injustices, and the implementation of policies and actions that promote justice, equality, and healing for people of African descent. There are clear connections between the demands for justice coming from Africa for historical crimes and the demands from Afro-descendants in the US and other parts of the world. Both groups are seeking acknowledgment of past wrongs, reparations for the harms inflicted, and transformative change to address ongoing racial inequality and injustice. The demands from both groups converge in their call for recognition, repair, and reconciliation. However, there may also be divergences in the specific forms of repair and redress that are being sought by different groups. For example, there may be different views on the appropriate level of compensation, the mechanisms for delivering reparations, and the role of cultural healing and reconciliation in the process. These differences may reflect the diverse contexts and experiences of people of African descent around the world, but ultimately the shared goal of seeking justice and healing remains at the core of both sets of demands.

Collective Research

Lou Inguito — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 05:28:12 +0000

The authors of the The Accra Declaration on Reparations and Racial Healing identifies the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, colonialism, and ongoing inustices as harms. They highlight many forms of repair. They call for the United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent to come together for a global summit of former colonial powers on to discuss reparations. Secondly, they want to reform global systems and structures in order for develop more prosperous economies. They also call for the return of stolen artifacts. They call for the United Nations to extend the United Nations Decade for People of African Descent. Lastly, they call for a process of acknowledgement and healing the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade.

There are connections between the demands coming from Africa and those of Afro-descendants from the U.S. and beyond. One connection that I see is the demand to acknowledge the racial injustices and crimes. People can no longer ignore that unjust history that exists. Another similarity I see is the demand for reparations. Lastly, I see the acknowledgment of collective healing within the community.

Reparations

Jessica Friday — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 23:50:47 +0000

Identify: What harms do the authors identify? What forms of repair do they propose? Who are the key actors (perpetrators, victims, advocates for justice)? What results do they hope to achieve?

The authors identify "nations, institutions, governments and families" as well as Western religious institutions as perpetrators of crimes such as enslavement, colonialism, exploitation, genocide, terrorism, and abuse against the "bodies, minds, and spirits of Black people." They call on heads of African states, civil society, and the institutions who benefited from the mistreatment of Africans to join together in creating reparative policies that promote justice and healing.

Discuss: What connections emerge between demands coming from Africa for justice for historical crimes and the demands coming from Afro-descendants in the US and beyond? How do the demands seem to converge? Do they diverge? If so, how?

Reparation movements seek the acknowledgement of historic crimes, exploitation, and present disparities resulting from the crimes committed against groups of people. For example, in British courts, the Mau Mau and descendants successfully proved that the British government systematically violated basic human rights and received monetary compensation. At the United Nations, indigenous peoples from around the world have joined together to seek reparations and promote justice. In all of these cases, groups are seeking a voice and power that has long been denied. However, there is great disparity on the proper ways in which historically exploitative institutions should be punished.

Reparations

Amber Banks — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 20:21:39 +0000

After reading this article, it is clear to me that this committee has developed itself of members from different parts of the world to establish reparations for people of African decent. They have come together to rebuild their perspective countries and help them to re-establish their economies on a global scale. Reparations would not only help these countries to rebuild themselves but encourage who took away the resources and made it extremely difficult for people of African decent to thrive in the world. Based off of these demands we can see many similarities between Africa and people of African decent that live in the United States. Specifically when it comes to Africans becoming enslaved and embarking on the Middle Passage. As well as African-Americans facing discrimination and racism due to Jim Crow Laws, destruction of thriving communities such as Tulsa and Rosewood. These people have historically been disenfranchised and taken advantage of. Therefore, reparations should be necessary as well as acknowledgment for the atrocities that these respective people have to overcome.

Reparations

ZoAnne DiFonzo — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 18:03:14 +0000

The Accra Declaration on Reparations and Racial Healing, released by a global coalition, addresses the harms of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and colonialism. It calls for reparations, acknowledgment of past injustices, and healing. Key actors include diplomats, scholars, activists, and civil society organizations advocating for justice for African peoples.

The proposed forms of repair outlined in the Declaration include the establishment of a Global Reparation Fund, the right to land for social and economic development, funds for cooperative enterprises, resources for health and wellness, education for empowerment, affordable housing, strengthening information infrastructure, preserving sacred sites, and reforming the criminal justice system.

The results sought by this movement include comprehensive assessment of past and current harms experienced by African peoples, the development of prosperous economies through global reform, the return of stolen artifacts, extension of the United Nations Decade for People of African Descent, and acknowledgment and healing for roles played in the slave trade.

Connections between demands from Africa and Afro-descendants in the US and beyond converge on seeking reparations, acknowledgment of historical injustices, and healing. Both groups aim to address the legacies of slavery and colonialism. However, they may diverge in specific demands or approaches due to differing historical contexts and experiences.

Acknowledging the Atrocities

Juan Sandoval — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 02:52:05 +0000

The Demands coming from Afro-descendants in the US and beyond, converge in their shared vision for justice and reparations for historical crimes committed against people of African descent. Both groups are calling for acknowledgment of the atrocities committed during the transatlantic slave trade and colonialism, as well as for compensation and restitution for the ongoing impacts of slavery and structural racism.

One of the key connections that emerge between these demands is the recognition of the intergenerational trauma and systemic inequality that continues to affect people of African descent globally. Both groups are calling for concrete actions to address the legacy of slavery and colonialism, including apologies, reparations, and policy changes aimed at achieving racial justice and equality.

However, there are also divergences in the specific demands and approaches taken by different groups. For example, while the Accra Declaration focuses on reparations for African countries affected by colonialism, Afro-descendants in the US may have different priorities and strategies for addressing historical injustices, such as advocating for specific policy changes, economic empowerment, or cultural recognition.

Despite these divergences, the overall goals of seeking justice, recognition, and healing for historical crimes against people of African descent are shared by both groups. By working together and amplifying each other's demands, they can build a stronger movement for racial justice and reparations on a global scale.

5.1-Collective Research

Mary Perez — Sun, 03 Mar 2024 07:35:40 +0000

The authors identify the harms of slave trade and colonialism. It expresses how slavery has affected Africa economically, culturally, and physiologically agonized African people. It continues to explain the urgent call for colonial power and reparations. They propose to call for development of the economy through global systems, structures, and the return of stolen artifacts in order to repair. They key actors are the victims, African themselves who have endured this suffrage for so long. Advocates for justice also play key roles because they are fighting for the justice and equality of Africans. They hope to achieve positive growth and new learning.

Demands coming from Africa for justice for historical crimes and the demands coming from Afro- descendants in the US have a strong connection. African Americans suffered greatly in both areas during this period in time in history.

5.1 Discussion

Damon Liang — Sat, 02 Mar 2024 16:44:36 +0000

In the Accra Declaration on Reparations and Racial Healing, the authors identify that slavery, apartheid, colonialism, and neocolonialism were undoubtedly harmful both economically and culturally. In regards to repair, the authors propose that the UN extend the UN Decade for People of African Descent by 10 years. As well, they uphold their own participation in the Global Reparations Movement. The key actors are the UN, as described above, as well as the African people, who have historically suffered for so long. They hope to be able to achieve deeper learning and growth through various summits and commissions, and to promote the importance of equity in all things.

It is interesting to note that there are strong correlations between the demands coming from Africa for justice for historical crimes, and the demands for Afro-descendants in the US. African Americans in the US suffered greatly during the institution of slavery in the 1800s, and the demand for reparations from that continues into today. There seems to be a divergence, though, as the demands coming from Africa focus on the individuals living in Africa itself, whereas those of Afro-descendants in the US focus on the US, correspondingly.