African descendants living in the UK feel that there should be a Parliamentary Commission into the chattel enslavement of African peoples and that the government should make reparations for its role in slavery.
“Something needs to be done to resolve the past, to get closure,” said Janette, who feels that the British government should hold a Parliamentary Commission on Truth, Justice and Reconciliation.
Her view is shared by that of Letticia, who said “There are issues that need to be sorted out. We can only put this behind us once there is reconciliation.” Ralph, 47, also agreed that a Parliamentary Commission “would help towards healing.”
A survey was carried out by Imani Media Ltd to examine attitudes within the black community towards slavery and the Bicentenary. It follows the commemorative service held at Westminster Abbey last month, where inside the church, Toyin Agbetu of Ligali, protested, calling it “an insult to Africans.”
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My protest was born of anger not madness
Toyin Agbetu
3rd April 2007 - The Guardian
According to many reports, on Tuesday last week a crazed madman breached Westminster Abbey security, screamed obscenities and demanded an unreserved apology for the Maafa (the "great tragedy", used to describe the enslavement of Africa) and financial compensation from the Queen and Tony Blair.
As the man at the centre of this version of events, I can say these assertions are total nonsense.
I was moved to make a collective voice heard at the commemorative ritual of appeasement and self-approval marking the bicentenary of the British parliamentary act to abolish what they disingenuously refer to as a "slave trade."
