“The idea of reparations is a ridiculous idea. If my great-grandfather picked cotton for 50 years, then he may deserve some money, but he’s dead and gone and nobody owes me anything.”
–Bayard Rustin
Cambridge Union Streamed on November 10th 2022 at 20:00 in the Debating Chamber Debate Results: Prop: 302 | Absn: 67 | Opp: 93 Thumbnail Photographer: The University of Cambridge has recently launched an extensive investigation into the legacies of slavery at this university. Additionally, the University Council decided to return the collection of Benin Bronzes held in Cambridge back to the government of Nigeria following their looting long ago. There is no better time to revisit the question of whether Britain owes reparations to its former colonies.
Proposition 1. Bell Riberio-Addy has been the labour Member of Parliment for Streatham since 2019. She is a self-described “life-long socialist” and feminist, and served as Shadow Minister for Immigration in 2020. 2. Dr Meera Sabaratnam Dr Meera Sabaratnam is a reader in International Relations at SOAS University of London. Her research focuses on the colonial and postcolonial dimentions of world poltics, and her book Decolonising Intervention seeks to criticise the current model of development aid. 3. Student Speaker Opposition 1. Fr Calvin Robinson The Reverend Calvin Robinson is an Anglican Deacon, TV/Radio Presenter and Conservative Commentator. He regularly features on GMB, BBC Radio, GB News and in print for The Telegraph, Daily Mail, Spectator and Spiked. 2. Rafe Heydel-Mankoo Rafe Heydel-Mankoo (FRCGS, BA, LLB, MA) is an author broadcaster and historian specialising in British institutions, the Monarchy and the Commonwealth Realms. From the BBC to ABC, Rafe is a well-known commentator in national and international media. He is a trustee of the Royal Canadian Heritage Trust and a senior fellow at the New Culture Forum think tank. 3. Studnet Speaker
