Avellon Williams
BARBADOS- According to reports, Barbados may seek slavery reparations from Benedict Cumberbatch’s family.
The actor previously discussed how his family’s history with slavery led him to act in the films Amazing Grace and 12 Years A Slave, both of which dealt with the slave trade.
Reports from The Daily Telegraph suggest the department is in the “early stages” of trying to seek reparations from Cumberbatch family, according to David Commissiong, a member of the national commission for reparations.
During the presentation, it was discussed how Joshua Cumberbatch, Benedict’s seventh great-grandfather, purchased the Cleland plantation on Barbados in 1728. The plantation housed 250 slaves for over 100 years before abolition.
“This is at the earliest stages,” Comissiong added. “We are just beginning. A lot of this history is only really now coming to light.”
Barbados announced last year it would abolish its ties to the monarchy, and Rihanna was honored as part of the celebrations marking the country’s transition to a republic.
Rihanna attended Mason’s inauguration and declaration of the republic on November 30 in her hometown of Bridgetown. Prime minister Mia Mottley presented the singer and entrepreneur – real name Robyn Rihanna Fenty – with the honour of National Hero of Barbados.
Cumberbatch criticized “repressive regimes” that ban films with LGTBQ+ characters last year. As of today, Doctor Strange InThe Multiverse Of Madness has been banned in Saudi Arabia due to a 12-second scene in which America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez) references her “two mums”.
