“Are the natives of today who are asking for compensation for things that occurred hundreds of years ago really that worse off than their ancestors” I have to say, I agree with that. I don’t often agree with PzJg, but my ancestors gained nothing on slavery. They were more slaves themselves than the rich merchants involved the triangular trade. So, in case of compensations who will pay? As French, I don’t see why France should pay for Lorient, St Malo and other towns involved in the trade.
Or will France be able to seek compensations to Italy for half of the Gaul population slaughtered and enslaved by Caesar? When the lines have to be drawn? Will Serbia be compensated by the modern Turkey for 500 years of occupation and the slaves sent to Istanbul?

History is history and yes, we have to be aware of what happened before, but I should prefer we concentrated on actual slavery than on the past one.
By the way, if century ago somebody paid a piece of land peanuts (or equivalent) is a society entitle for some compensations? Because I thing that the US paid a real ridiculous price for Louisiana (which was much bigger than the actual state)?