Reparatory Justice: PM Calls on Harvard to Step Up Contributions
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has urged Harvard University to provide proportional reparations to Antigua and Barbuda, citing the direct connection between the island’s enslaved labor and the institution’s early wealth. His comments followed a visit by Harvard representatives examining the university’s ties to slavery and exploring ways to provide reparative justice.
Speaking on Pointe FM, Browne criticized Harvard’s prior contributions as inadequate, pointing out that symbolic gestures, such as short-term educational courses, fall short of addressing the historical injustices tied to the institution’s foundation.
“Harvard University, particularly its Law School, was established with funding from slavery on Antigua’s plantations,” Browne said. “Our ancestors worked for centuries without pay, and their labor fueled Harvard’s early development. It’s time for them to acknowledge this with meaningful action.”
Browne noted that Harvard’s Law School was partially financed by the Royall family, whose wealth came from enslaved labor on plantations in Antigua. He proposed that reparations could take various forms, including scholarships for descendants of enslaved individuals, funding for community projects, and investments in the University of the West Indies (UWI).
A local committee, including representatives from UWI and the National Archives, has been established to work with Harvard on tracing the descendants of enslaved individuals tied to the Royall family’s plantations. Browne expressed hope that the research would inform fair and tangible reparative measures.
The Prime Minister also addressed the broader implications of reparations, describing it as a matter of justice and equity rather than charity. He stressed the importance of holding institutions accountable for their historical role in slavery and ensuring they contribute to correcting those wrongs.
“We are not asking for favors. We are seeking justice for the people whose suffering built Harvard into what it is today,” he stated.
Browne’s call aligns with Antigua and Barbuda’s broader push for reparatory justice on the international stage, focusing on redressing historical inequalities and fostering opportunities for economic and social development.
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