Reparations Payments to Panama : A Comparison with Foundational Black Americans

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Introduction: Reparations payments refer to compensation made to individuals or groups for past injustices, such as colonialism, slavery, or discrimination. In this article, we will examine the reparations payments made to Panama and Hawaii and compare them to the issue of reparations for Black Americans.

Reparations to Panama: In 1903 (American Foreign Relations, 2023), the United States helped Panama secede from Colombia and then secured control of the Panama Canal Zone. The U.S. military occupied the Canal Zone until 1979, during which time they displaced and mistreated thousands of Panamanians. In 1977, the U.S. signed the Torrijos-Carter Treaties (U.S Department Of State, 2001), which granted sovereignty of the Canal Zone back to Panama and provided $10 million in reparations payments to Panama.

Reparations to Panama 


 

Background:

  • U.S. helped Panama secede from Colombia in 1903 (Office of the historian, 2023).
  • Secured control of the Panama Canal Zone in 1904 (Library of Congress).
  • U.S. military occupied the Canal Zone until 1979.

Pivotal Points:

  • Torrijos-Carter Treaties signed in 1977
  • Granted sovereignty of the Canal Zone back to Panama
  • Provided $10 million in reparations payments to Panama
  • $14 billion in todays currency value to rebuild the Panama canal (Cpi Inflation Calculator, 2023). 

Reparations to Hawaii: In 1893, the United States overthrew the Hawaiian monarchy and established a provisional government. In 1993, President Bill Clinton signed the Apology Resolution, which acknowledged the U.S.'s role in the overthrow and issued a formal apology to Native Hawaiians. The resolution also created the Native Hawaiian Trust Fund, which provides funding for educational and cultural programs, and established a commission to study the possibility of further reparations.

No Reparations Paid To The Overthrowing Of Hawaii 

Background

  • U.S. overthrew Hawaiian monarchy in 1893 (Sai, 2018).
  • Established a provisional government (The provisional government of Hawaii, 1893).

Key Points:

  • Apology Resolution signed in 1993.
  • Acknowledged U.S.'s role in the overthrow.
  • Issued a formal apology to Native Hawaiians
  • Created the Native Hawaiian Trust Fund
  • Established a commission to study the possibility of further reparations

Comparison with Reparations for Black Americans: While the U.S. government has provided reparations payments to Panama and Hawaii, there has been no comprehensive reparations program for Black Americans, who have suffered centuries of slavery, segregation, and discrimination. Calls for reparations have grown louder in recent years, with some proposals suggesting direct payments to Black Americans, while others suggest investments in education, healthcare, and housing in Black communities.

Comparison with Reparations for Black Americans


 

  • While Panama and Hawaii received reparations payments from the U.S. government
  • No comprehensive reparations program for Black Americans
  • Black Americans have suffered centuries of slavery, segregation, and discrimination
  • Calls for reparations have grown louder in recent years
  • Proposals suggest direct payments or investments in education, healthcare, and housing

Reparations payments can serve as a means of acknowledging past injustices and providing redress to those who have been harmed. The payments made to Panama and Hawaii demonstrate the U.S. government's recognition of its role in causing harm to these communities. However, the lack of a comprehensive reparations program for Black Americans highlights the ongoing struggles of Black Americans to receive justice and equity in the United States.

In our upcoming article we delve deeper into the discussion, debate, arguments, and the future of reparations.

References

Panama Canal Treaty of 1977. (n.d.). https://2001-2009.state.gov/p/wha/rlnks/11936.htm

Panama - Countries - Office of the Historian. (n.d.). https://history.state.gov/countries/panama

Reparations and group remediation - Reparations. (n.d.). https://www.americanforeignrelations.com/O-W/Reparations-Reparations-and-group-remediation.html
 

Research Guides: Panama Canal: Topics in Chronicling America: Introduction. (n.d.). https://guides.loc.gov/chronicling-america-panama-canal

 

Tribes - Native Voices. (n.d.). https://www.nlm.nih.gov/nativevoices/timeline/578.html

History.com Editors. (n.d.). U.S Agrees to transfer the Panama Canal. History. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/panama-to-control-canal

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