Britain's Slavery Debt

Michael Banner has made a coherent and cogent case for British reparations to the Caribbean. He sets out a practical and feasible plan for immediate, low level action on how to get it done; and for the broad, longer-term vision of national action. I believe that this treatise will become a classic. * Ikechukwu Achebe, Hunter College, The City University of New York *
One of Britain's most acute and independent ethical thinkers here sets out the case for reparations to those whose ancestors suffered from the Atlantic slave trade, and does so with exemplary clarity and force. Detailing the shameful history of the trade, and countering all the commonest arguments against reparations, Banner presents one of the most powerful cases yet for an urgent new look at an imperative most of us still - embarrassingly - do not want to attend to. * Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury *
Michael Banner's book takes us through the literary labyrinth of the erupting reparatory justice discourse. It is a roller coaster read, a turbulent ride in western reasoning about its greatest crime against humanity - the transatlantic chattel enslavement of millions of Africans over several centuries. He ends his endeavour with the declaration that the enslaved and not the enslavers should have received compensation. This is a major contribution to the reparations movement and will be celebrated also for its timeliness. * Hilary Beckles, Vice Chancellor, University of the West Indies *
Michael Banner urges Britons to ponder the case for British slavery reparations. Acknowledging that no recompense or "final reckoning", can ever be made for slavery, Banner contends that financial compensation must nevertheless be part of the solution to Britain's relationship with the Caribbean, [imploring] the government to begin with the 20-million-pound payment that slaveholders received for the loss of their human property as the starting point for a project of moral repair...With ethical clarity at its foundation, Britain's Slavery Debt wades into important debates on the legacies of slavery and racism. * Sabine Cadeau, McGill University *
Distinguished by a combination of sound historic assessment and clear-eyed moral judgement, this short, well-written, and accessible book provides an unanswerable case for reparations. * Duncan Dormor, Church Times *
a heartfelt and trenchant plea for Britain to pay slavery reparations to the Caribbean ... Excellent * Daniel Butt, Times Literary Supplement *
I would contend that this is an important book that takes its place alongside other works that are lesser known or appreciated. As Banner himself notes, this conversation did not start with his book, and I would contend that it should not revolve around this tome. That said, this discussion is all the richer and clearer because of Banner's notable work. Equally, given the stature of the writer, his engagement with the subject will undoubtedly give it greater credence, gravitas and exposure. * Richard S. Reddie, Black Theology: An International Journal *