The African Holocaust: Should Europe Pay Reparations to Africa for Colonialism and Slavery?

by Ibrahima Faye

R.M. Spitzer’s essay The African Holocaust is a direct challenge to the question of whether Europe should pay reparations to Africa for the crimes of slavery and colonialism. He does not treat the topic lightly but calls slavery and colonialism by their true name: crimes against humanity. Reading his work made me think deeply about how history connects to today and what real justice might mean.

The first important point Spitzer makes is that slavery and colonialism were not accidents of history, but deliberate systems of exploitation. Millions of Africans were taken from their lands, families were broken, cultures were destroyed, and entire societies were weakened. This was not just the loss of people, but also of knowledge, dignity, and future possibilities. Spitzer insists that calling it a “holocaust” is correct because the destruction was systematic and massive, and its wounds still live with us.

The second point is that Europe built much of its wealth on the suffering of Africa. Spitzer reminds us that the profits from slavery, plantations, and colonial extraction gave Europe the capital to develop industries and create modern prosperity. Meanwhile, Africa was left underdeveloped, stripped of resources, and politically destabilized. For him, this is not only a historical fact but also an ongoing injustice. To deny reparations is to deny the truth about how Europe became rich.

The third point is that reparations are both a moral and practical duty. Spitzer argues that Europe has a responsibility to face the past honestly and to provide restitution, not as charity but as justice. He suggests that reparations should not be seen as “paying off guilt,” but as an effort to rebuild what was destroyed and to allow Africa to stand on equal ground in the global system.

My feelings about this essay are mixed but mostly in agreement. As a humanist, I believe that humans must take responsibility for their actions, even across generations, if the consequences are still alive. Europe today enjoys benefits that came directly from slavery and colonialism. Africa today still suffers from the damage. To me, that creates a moral debt. I agree with Spitzer that reparations are justified.

At the same time, I also worry about how reparations would be handled. Would African leaders today use the resources wisely for their people, or would corruption swallow it? I fear that without strong systems and accountability, reparations could fail to bring real change. That is why I think reparations must go hand in hand with structural reforms, education, and empowerment. Otherwise, it risks repeating the same cycle of dependence.

In conclusion, Spitzer’s essay is powerful because it connects the suffering of the past with the inequality of the present. He is right to call slavery and colonialism crimes against humanity, and he is right to say Europe owes a debt. I believe reparations are necessary, but they must be more than money. They should be about restoring dignity, building fair systems, and creating a future where Africa can truly stand free.