Language, Values and Ethics

Language & Terminology

As we seek to embrace Afrikan Reparatory Justice as a key strand of our work, we recognise that repair starts with us and seizing the power to define. Using our own language to express our needs, conditions and concepts is as essential to our repair as are the expectations that we have of each other.

  • Transatlantic Trafficking of Enslaved Afrikans, not the slave trade

  • Afrikan Heritage Communities, not BAME/Ethnic minorities/POC

  • Afrikan Epistemologies, not Eurocentrism

  • The Maangamizi, not Slavery-Colonialism-Neocolonialism

Terminology/Concepts we need to have a shared understanding of to cement our internal and external messaging, deliverables and relationships:

  • Legacy – Informed by Project TRUTH recommendations and the Bristol Pempamsie Reparations Plan referenced in the A&R Motion. What does this mean for the construct and deliverables of BLF?

  • Afrikan Reparatory Justice – Beyond the general ‘Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Gross Violations of International Human Rights Law and Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law’, how does BLF ovastand, embrace and project what Afrikan Reparatory Justice means – Within and external to BLF? What are our expectations of ourselves and other stakeholders?

  • Partners or Stakeholders or Allies? – Who is what and how do we know? What are our terms and conditions?

Values

We are guided by an Afrikan-centred set of values and ethics, which may appear Universal in many respects but are the core of our intentions to be part of our own repair process within and beyond the organisation. We therefore, when necessary, express our values in our indigenous languages, which may not be directly translated but are rooted in the thoughts and languages of our revered Ancestors.

Ubuntu – Is how we see ourselves as part of a living ancestral legacy, whilst maintaining our connection with those who have gone before, appreciating those still with us and those yet to come.

Libation – We honour our ancestors in our ethos and service to our community and in our contribution to reparatory activity in Bristol.

Ma’at – We relate to the 7 virtues of our Nile Valley ancestors expressed through the netcher (deity). These are: Truth, Justice, Rightness, Harmony, Reciprocity, Balance and Order. Within these values, integrity, ethics and accountability are also centred.

Khepera – Positive Transformation – to come again, renew, repair and live again

The western version of our values are:

  • honouring our ancestors

  • integrity

  • honesty

  • courage

  • accountability

  • transformation

  • ethical