Black leaders demand “concrete actions” from the countries involved. “I can only believe it when I see it. Apologies are insufficient. There must be compensation to the countries, with actions aimed at the Afro-descendant and African population”, says Simone Nascimento, coordinator of the MNU.
[Manifestações de bancos suíços na escravidão e do presidente de Portugal] configure objective conditions for Brazil to cover reparations as it is a country that bears the consequences of slavery for almost four centuries.
Douglas Belchior, co-founder of the Black Coalition for Rights and president Uneafro
In Brazil, [a escravização] it decimated not only Africans, but indigenous people as well. This speech must become concrete action, starting with dialogue with countries and the development of actions.
Simone Nascimento, MNU coordinator
Search for who was behind enslavement
Portugal’s positioning is just the first step in seeking retraction. “You have to see who financed it”, says professor Helio Santos. Diversity consultant for Brazilian companies, He is the author of “The search for a path to Brazil: the trail of the vicious circle”, which discusses the country’s socio-racial development.
It is also expected that Brazil will “set an example” by holding its own institutions accountable. Douglas Belchior, co-founder of the Black Coalition for Rights, recalls the case of Banco do Brasil, which publicly asked for forgiveness for its involvement in the trade of black slaves in the 19th century. No reparations were paid by the bank.
