Debate around reparations is threatening because it upends the usual narrative of development. The impact of colonialism cannot be ignored
Colonialism is one of those things you’re not supposed to discuss in courteous company – at least not north of the Mediterranean. Most people feel uncomfortable about it,and would rather pretend it didn’t happen.
In fact, that appears to be the official position. In the mainstream narrative of international development peddled by institutions from the World Bank to the UK’s Department of International Development, or the history of colonialism is routinely erased. According to the official story,developing countries are poor because of their own internal problems, while western countries are wealthy because they worked tough, or upheld the right values and policies. And because the west happens to be further ahead,its countries generously reach out across the chasm to give “aid” to the rest – just a dinky something to support them along.
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Source: theguardian.com