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News Tip: Caribbean Reparations Lawsuit a New Twist in Old Debate, Duke Expert Says

Fourteen Caribbean nations are suing three European governments over slavery reparations.

Fourteen Caribbean nations are suing three European governments for slavery reparations

Laurent DuboisProfessor of history and Romance studies, Duke University laurent.dubois@duke.eduOn Twitter @soccerpolitics

Dubois is an expert on Haitian culture and history and author of "Haiti: The Aftershocks of History," a history of the island nation over the last two centuries.

Quote:"The debate over reparations for slavery has long raged in the U.S. and various European countries. Haitians have long complained about the fact that in 1825, they had to pay France a form of reparations -- a large indemnity payment -- in order to gain diplomatic recognition, when many feel France should have to pay Haiti reparations for the exploitation of slavery.

Now the discussion moves into the realm of international law, opening up a fascinating set of questions about historical memory and responsibility. The debate will have implications for the way we think about the relationship between north and south and the link between contemporary poverty and past forms of colonial exploitation and oppression."