This article discusses - from a historiografic perspective - one of the most controversal themes of the recent United Nations Conference on Racism: the question of reparations for the victims of the transatlantic slave trade. It is argued that the historiografic debate does not allow for a simple projetion of responsibility in this immense human tragedy. As far as reparations are presented as a project to transfer resources to the African continent it is considered as being very problematic and less justifiable, whereas as a measure to combat racism in multi-ethnic societies it could be more appropriate.
Slave trade; Slavery; Racism