A host of racial reparations have been proposed by the group Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda, which has issued its 2019 racial justice platform.

The group called for the Bermuda Government to join the reparations commission of Caricom, to “seek reparations for the hundreds of years of legislated enslavement and colonial rule”.

Bermuda is an associate member of Caricom, but did not join the commission, which was established in 2013.

Curb credited the group with helping to prompt the formation of groups such as the National African American Reparations Commission and the European Reparations Commission.

In a statement, Curb urged for societal, legislative, economic, education and individual reparations.

Societal reparations would include absentee voting for Bermudians “economic refugees” overseas and the creation of a black history museum, library and research centre.

Policy suggestions ranged from a national health plan that would offer better coverage to predominantly black workers, and the revival of the Workforce Equity Bill, aimed at levelling the field for black and white people.

In economic reparations, Curb proposed that the Government create a “necessary goods depot” to provide cheap food and household items, and that a public-private insurance agency be established to reward homeowners for no claims, “returning funds back to them whilst keeping insurance premiums affordable”.

Under education, Curb called for a black studies programme to be instituted in schools as well as Bermuda College.

The group proposed individual reparations such as facing the legacy of slavery and segregation.

Curb called for individuals to “make a commitment to no longer be a part of Bermuda’s culture of silence and culture of fear surrounding discussions on race”.

The group defined racial justice as “a process where there is healing from past hurts, educational enlightenment, economic opportunity and alignment, and a movement towards restorative practices throughout our community, with measures including legislation put in place to ensure its sustainability”.

Curb issued its first racial justice platform in 2012.

The statement called it “a culmination of the research, advocacy and racial justice education work we have carried out in the community since 2005”.

It added: “The 2019 racial justice platform includes items we believe are essential to creating a more equitable and just society.

“We urge the people of Bermuda to review these recommendations with an open mind, and endorse the concepts detailed in Curb’s updated racial justice platform as a way to heal our society, repair the damage, bring about greater equity, and create trust and respect in the community.

“Curb’s racial justice platform is a living document and will be added to and amended as new research is obtained and feedback is received from the people of Bermuda.”

• To read the platform in full, click on the PDF under “Related Media”.