Our Vision
As descendants of some of those who profited from, or were responsible for, the chattel enslavement of African people, we envision a society that has openly confronted the legacies of transatlantic enslavement including racism, injustice and inequality. Guided by the descendants of those who were enslaved, we will champion reparatory justice to help build a more equitable world.
Our Values
Heirs of Slavery’s work is guided by these beliefs and commitments:
We acknowledge the harm caused by transatlantic enslavement, its links to exploitative colonialism and capitalism, and the ongoing harm still experienced by people today
We consider transatlantic enslavement to have been a crime against humanity
We recognise that most people whose families were complicit in transatlantic enslavement continue to benefit, even though they may no longer have inherited wealth
We acknowledge that racism exists in our society and we will actively challenge racist actions and attitudes
We listen and learn from descendants of enslaved people, whom we recognise have been campaigning for reparatory justice for many decades
We recognise that there are many different views about reparatory justice, and so we will focus on where we can make the biggest impact
We ally and collaborate with descendants of enslaved people, but will never presume to represent them
We support CARICOM’s ten-point plan for reparatory justice
What is an 'Heir'?
A vast network of people benefited financially from the exploitation of enslaved Africans in the Americas for more than 250 years; it wasn’t limited to those who trafficked enslaved Africans or had ownership over enslaved people. Work and money flowed to shipbuilders, weavers, gun-makers, brass workers, fishermen, sugar and tobacco merchants, distillers, soldiers, sailors, lawyers, insurers and bankers. The descendants of all of these people can be considered ‘heirs of slavery’, even if they have no inherited wealth.
Hundreds of British institutions benefited from wealth linked to transatlantic enslavement, from universities to churches, from banks to newspapers, from government to royalty. These are also ‘heirs of slavery’.
Reparatory justice
Our definition of reparatory justice is a framework that seeks to acknowledge, address, and provide redress for the ongoing harm caused by transatlantic enslavement. Action can include public apologies, repatriation of artefacts, institutional reform and material compensation.
Heirs of Slavery’s mission
We will work towards breaking the cycle of historical secrecy and pain linked to transatlantic enslavement by removing barriers to reparatory justice, and actively championing a culture of honesty, healing and repair.
Heirs of Slavery’s aims and objectives
To ally and collaborate with descendants of enslaved people by
Developing the organisation with input from descendants of enslaved people and taking forward their priorities for our work.
Listening to and supporting Black-led organisations who seek social and political change
Supporting individuals and organisations who acknowledge their complicity in transatlantic enslavement to ally and collaborate with descendants of enslaved people.
To build our network by
Developing Heirs of Slavery as an organisation to fulfil its vision, aims and objectives
Being visible and outspoken about the harm caused by our ancestors and its present-day impact.
Supporting and advising people whose ancestors were complicit in the transatlantic enslavement economy in their personal journey of reparatory justice.
Encouraging institutions that acknowledge their history and are making concrete commitments to change to join the network.
Collaborating with individuals and initiatives outside the UK who share our vision.
Increasing the diversity, age-range and number of supporters. We will encourage both individuals and institutions who share our vision even if their forebears were not directly complicit in transatlantic enslavement.
Educating and inspiring people to manage difficult and challenging conversations
To educate people about reparatory justice and truth-telling by
Publicly telling our stories with honesty and humility
Making resources like family archive publicly available
Working in partnership with Black-led initiatives which have regional, national or international impact
Lobbying for change in educational curriculums
To use our influence to shift capital and create institutional change by
Using our networks to open doors and help shift attitudes amongst those in power
Lobbying for institutional apology, repair, and commitment to change
Lobbying for a national dialogue about reparatory justice
Signposting to sources of funding for Black-led initiatives
Supporting individuals to make their own financial reparations
Heirs of Slavery’s impact will be seen in
A shift in resources and power to Black-led initiatives.
A larger, stronger, more visible network of people able to advocate for reparatory justice.
Acknowledgement, healing and repair between those who were complicit in transatlantic enslavement and those who were the victims of it.
A greater understanding amongst the public of the historic wrongs caused by transatlantic enslavement and its impact on people today.