UWI receives US$500,000 reparation payment

The following statement is issued by Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies, and Chairman of the CARICOM Reparations Commission, in response to the University’s receipt of a US$500,000 reparation payment from UK Philanthropist, Bridget Freeman.

(UWITV) On the heels of the University of Glasgow’s agreement to enter into a £20 million reparation programme with The University of the West Indies, apologising for its financial participation in the Caribbean slave economy, an English woman has agreed to pay reparations for her family’s involvement in slavery.

Bridget Freeman, a British citizen has agreed to contribute US$500,000 to the University’s development fund—through its . The philanthropist described being ‘horrified and touched’ by the discussion on the impact of slavery on the region today. She agreed that reparations should be paid by those who benefitted from the crime against humanity. “It is not right”, she said, “We owe it… the giving back just seems so obvious.”

Bridget’s family married into the Barbados slave-owning class and became involved in its development. As an accomplished musician, she has also declared an intention to contribute to the newly established Faculty of Culture, Creative and Performing Arts at the Cave Hill Campus in Barbados.

Read more at: UWITV

Source: CARICOM TODAY