Quaker principles driving the abolition of slavery
Pottering around the internet sorting through descriptions of Reading town’s Quaker history I stumbled across this beautiful piece of trivia:
The first petition to the UK Parliament for the abolition of slavery was prodcued by the Quakers in 1783. Looking at the photo of the actual petition gives an insight into the scale of this exercise at a logistical level, before even considering the other difficulties. Despite believing in human equality, none of the signatures are from women. Though some ground has been gained we are still fighting for equality, slavery still exists – mainly women. The second most profitable organised criminal industry, after Drug trafficking
August 11th, 2011
That felt a bit disturbing when I scrolled down the list.
…I’d still like to get a better look at the lettering on that there book, mind.
Sx
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August 12th, 2011
Indeed, slavery still exists. People trapped in prostitution, vegetable picking, garment-making etc, in conditions where their life is not their own and they’re at other people’s beck and call. But it’s overlooked and swept under the carpet just as it was in the 18th century.
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