The Editor, Sir:

I note with deep interest the fact that in Canada yesterday Prime Minister Stephen Harper, in their House of Commons, formally apo-logised for the residential school system. This was a Canadian Government policy whereby the children of native Indians were forcefully removed from home and sent hundreds of miles away to be schooled in the 'Canadian school system'. Similarly, in Australia earlier this year Prime Minister Rudd apologised for the policy which was aimed at obliterating the Aborigines' culture and language.

The Canadian's apology for the crime committed in the separation of child from parent immediately sparked in my mind the crime committed by the British here against persons of African origin who were transported to Canada as punishment.

Robbed

In 1795 and 1796 the British, as a showpiece of harsh punishment, sent African peoples, women and children included, to suffer on Canadian soil in Nova Scotia in what was recorded as a few brutal winters, before the survivors were sent back to Africa to live in Sierra Leone.

Britain continues to deny us reparation for the crimes committed against us. Here is, by way of example, another set of defenceless peoples in Canada, robbed of their land and thereafter their culture, by those who would wish to impose their so-called 'superior' culture on us.

Keeping our dignity

Some people can't understand what the fuss regarding compensation is all about. We Africans at home and abroad will never give up our dignity in that we will never rest until our suffering is fully recognised and addressed.

In the words of the Australian prime minister regarding the disposed Aborigines, we wish to be compensated "for the pain, suffering and hurt these stolen generations, their descendants and for their families left behind ..."

To plunder and rape a people of their lands, culture and dignity are a crime that must never go unpunished, be the victims, Jews, Gentiles or peoples by any other name .

I am, etc.,

BERT SAMUELS

bert.samuels @gmail.com

Attorney-at-Law

4 Duke Street

Kingston