Reflections from UN Trip

NCF Office – April 22, 2025 2 Comments

This week’s blog is brought to us by NCF adjunct pastor Jeff Trask. He shares his reflections from his recent trip to NYC to participate in a UN forum. Jeff shares his gratitude for our support and reminds us that through our support we are participants in the global work for justice. -Melissa Logsdon, NCF Associate Pastor

I would like to first thank all of you for your support, encouragement, cards, and financial support for attending the 4th Permanent Forum for People of African Descent. I was very moved by your solidarity and willingness to embark on this journey together. 

Upon first being invited to attend the United Nations conference by Evanston’s Robin Rue Simmons, I knew this would lead to a widening of my perspective but I had no idea how much. I was perhaps being unknowingly prepped for this experience by having the film screening event where we watched the film, “Bound: Africans vs. African Americans”. This film highlighted some African history that I had no idea about and made me realize how little I know of world history. For example, the king of Belgium “owned” the Congo and used forced labor for his rubber industry and is attributed to killing 15 million Africans during that time, even cutting off the hands of children for not being productive enough. Trust me, there is enough US history to consume all my brain cells, but it is important to stretch beyond the United States, especially considering how young the US is compared to other places in the world. 

I was also prepped ahead of time by attending a lecture at Northwestern University by Sir Hilary Beckles, a professor from Barbados who taught a in-depth history about Haiti that I only knew little bits and pieces of… and even those bits and pieces were recently learned. He explained how Haiti not only defeated and drove out their French enslavers, but went on to defend themselves against the Spanish and the British. After these countries gave up trying to reclaim Haiti, a coalition of European and American forces blockaded the island to force Haiti to agree to pay reparations in the tune of 150 million gold francs to France and other countries. The revolt took place in 1804 and Haiti was paying significant reparations until 1941 (consuming up to 70-80% of their resources). When we witnessed Haiti devastated by that earthquake in 2010, the press kept talking about the poor infrastructure of Haiti and that was why the earthquake did so much damage. No one discussed (that I heard) why Haiti did not have that infrastructure.

So the week in New York, I found myself hearing from representatives from countries all over the world, like Jamaica, Mexico, Columbia, Bolivia, Angola, Cuba, Haiti, Trinadad/Tobago, Ecuador, CARICOM (Carribean coalition), and many others. Noticeably absent all week were European nations and the United States representatives. The experience was enlightening, encouraging, and energizing while also saddening, frustrating, and even maddening. The latter feelings stem from recognizing and realizing (more than I already had) how sweeping colonialism, enslavement, and imperialism left and continues to leave its mark on the world without coming to terms for what was done. The former feelings stem from recognizing and realizing (more than I already had) how many people around the world are in solidarity and unified in their cause to seek justice from historical and present harms inflicted upon not just only their nation, but upon everyone in world. In addition to many countries officially making their speeches, many others, like Robin Rue Simmons, spoke powerfully as well. I felt so privileged to be a party to this event and group of people.

In addition to the main events, there were also side events in more intimate settings where some of the work to move forward gets done. I had the honor to “MC” the Global Circle side event that featured a panel of national and international reparations leaders who formed a group to coordinate and consolidate reparations efforts all over the globe. The evening event went really well as the room was packed, all the details fell into place, and people felt energized and ready to work afterwards. I felt particularly proud to have helped with the logistics as the planners were having difficulties finding a black owned catering business to provide food. Thankfully, I happen to have family in New York, including a cousin who had several connections. With his help, we managed to have a black owned caterer and a black photographer provide their services for the side event and both did an excellent job.

Overall, the experience was moving and perspective changing for me. While I will continue to press forward for justice and reparations on a local, state, and national level, I will now be involved at a global level by being on one of the six working groups of the Global Circle. I am already thinking about and planning to attend next year’s UN conference in Geneva, Switzerland! Good thing I have a year to prepare for that lol

Thank you all again for your amazing support and encouragement. I hope to put a video summary of my experience together to show at the church as I took a million photos and videos. 

Know that everything I do in this area, you are a part of so be proud of your global participation in seeking justice.

Love and blessings, Jeff