Summary
British comedian Sir Lenny Henry is calling for the UK government to pay reparations to black British people for the historical impact of slavery. He suggests these reparations could include financial payments, apologies, educational programs, or other forms of assistance. The UK government has acknowledged discussions about reparatory justice but has not committed to financial payments.
Key Facts
- Sir Lenny Henry advocates for reparations to black British people due to slavery's impact.
- He wrote about this topic in a book titled "The Big Payback".
- Commonwealth leaders agreed on the need for discussions about reparatory justice for the transatlantic slave trade.
- UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated that there have been no conversations about financial reparations.
- UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy mentioned that reparations need not be solely about money.
- A UN judge suggested that the UK might owe over £18 trillion in reparations due to its role in slavery.
- Sir Lenny argues that the history of slavery affects employment and incarceration rates for black British people.
- Reparations could involve formal apologies, educational efforts, or public health support.
