Documentary · History
Britain, Jamaica & Reparations: Who Owes What—and Why?
The case. The record. The arguments.
An original documentary from The Caribbean Current examining the historical, legal and economic case for reparations for slavery in the Caribbean — grounded in primary documents, official records and academic scholarship.
Feature-length · Released August 1, 2026
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Britain, Jamaica & Reparations: Who Owes What—and Why?
The case. The record. The arguments.
For more than two centuries, slavery shaped Jamaica's economy, institutions and relationship with Britain. Today, the question of reparations remains one of the Caribbean's most important — and most misunderstood — public debates.
This original documentary from The Caribbean Current examines the historical, economic and moral arguments surrounding reparations. It explores Britain's role in slavery and abolition, compensation paid to slave owners, Jamaica's experience after emancipation and independence, the responsibilities of governments and institutions today, and the question at the centre of the debate:
What could fair reparations actually look like?
The documentary examines the evidence, competing arguments and historical precedents without reducing the issue to slogans or political talking points.
The Facts. The Context. The Conversation.
Watch on YouTubeSynopsis
An original documentary from The Caribbean Current examining the historical, legal and economic case for reparations for slavery in the Caribbean — grounded in primary documents, official records and academic scholarship.
Trailer
Sources & References
- CARICOM Reparations Commissiongovernment
- CARICOM Ten-Point Plan for Reparatory Justicegovernment
- Legacies of British Slavery — University College Londonacademic
- The National Archives (UK) — Records of the Slave Tradearchive
Credits
- Production: The Caribbean Current
Research Library
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Research Library
thecaribbeancurrent.net/research-libraryRelated reporting
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