IRFAAN ALI STANDS ALONE ON REPARATIONS

DR. Irfaan Ali, the transformative leader of Guyana, is standing alone in championing slavery reparations for Caribbean societies.

Dr. Ali has not received any public support from Caricom or any regional leaders following a recent “vile” and “condescending” interview with a British television morning show.

The Guyanese President faced ridicule, antagonism and desk-banging from interviewer Richard Madeley, leading to widespread public criticism.

Several British newspapers, including the Mail, Independent, and Mirror, slammed Madeley for his confrontational and ill-tempered conduct.

Madeley was “vile” and “condescending” and could be heard laughing in the background, the newspapers reported.

Some viewers wrote letters of protest to the national television regulatory agency, complaining of the interviewer’s “disrespectful and contemptuous” manner.

Guyanese Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo said the treatment of Ali was indicative of the disdain shown to leaders of developing countries.

Such leaders “have always had to deal with these interviewers who have a jaundiced perspective of our countries,” Jagdeo said.

He said the president “made us proud” and handled the interview “appropriately.”

In one exchange, Mandeley asked Ali whether he wanted the British to hand over a palace as a form of reparations.

The president said: “Well no, we do not want the British to hand over a palace that we built.

“If you go to many of the palaces in Britain, you will see the lovely greenheart wood from Guyana.

“You will see the sweat, tears and blood of the slaves who were exploited and the revenue that was earned from that exploitation.

“So we are not asking for a palace; we are asking for justice.”

Madeley asked whether the current British generation “should carry a burden” of their ancestors.

Ali replied: “Oh, it’s not a burden at all.

“You are one of the beneficiaries of the slave trade, so it’s not a burden.

“You should pay because you still benefit from the greatest indignity to the human being…

“Your country benefited, and look what it is costing the developing world.

“During slavery, resources were used to build your country, your capacity.

“You were able to become competitive, to invest in mechanisation, and developing countries like us were left behind.

“So you should be very concerned because you are prime beneficiaries of the exploits of slavery.”

Caribbean countries have been seeking reparations for chattel slavery, although Trinidad and Tobago does not have a constituted committee.

Descendents of former slave owners have provided some assistance in Guyana, Grenada, Barbados, Jamaica and other Caribbean countries.

Local reparations activists have been muted on the lack of activity by the Government of Dr. Keith Rowley, and there have been no expressions of support for the courageous stand by President Ali.