Colonialism’s Lost Children
Estimated time15 Minutes
“Systematically abducting and deporting children is a crime against humanity”
During Belgium’s colonial rule in Central Africa, thousands of mixed-race children were forcibly separated from their families and sent to Belgium or taken to institutions for “mixed-race children.” Colonial authorities believed they did not belong in either African or European society. This case study follows Jacqui, who was abducted at three years old and sent to live in Belgium with strangers.
Jacqui’s story expands the idea of reparations beyond money alone. The form of reparations that Jacqui is pursuing for others who were put in her position is in the form of re-education. As Jacqui says, “For me, I want to see funded studies to help us understand our past.”
Read the article on amnesty.org
As you read, reflect on these questions:
What is needed to fully repair harm in your life?
What are some forms of colonial harm that remain largely unknown or unaddressed?
What responsibilities do governments or institutions have when harm continues affecting people generations later?
What would meaningful repair look like for harm around things like belonging, being lied to, and being separated from your family and community?
The colonial mindset views the populations being colonized as less than human. This mindset of dehumanization seeps into sweeping and obvious acts of crime and subjugation as well as small everyday acts of disrespect and dismissal. True repair covers both.