Library of the Society of Friends
Research guide
Library staff have written a Research guide - Slavery and the meeting (PDF).This guide will give you some ideas and links to resources to help you research how the members of your meeting responded to slavery in the past. It is based on the work of Ann Morgan, and her work investigating Lancaster Meeting, and has been compiled by staff at the Library of the Society of Friends.
Library staff
Staff of the Library of the Society of Friends are happy to support Friends in this area.
Woodbrooke
Woodbrooke, a Quaker learning and research organisation, offers support to independent Quaker researchers. Visit Woodbrooke's research pages (offsite link) for more information. Staff are specifically helping Quaker meetings who want to research their historical links to slavery and colonialism. It doesn't have to be formal research or very academically rigorous. Please email Learning@woodbrooke.org.uk.
Woodbrooke also runs a number of relevant sessions and courses. These deal with reparations directly, or further the general conversations coming out of Yearly Meeting. Find out about Woodbrooke's courses (offsite link).
Learning with your own Quaker community
Models for activities
1. Using one of the resources listed below as a starting point, use worship sharing to respond to the following questions:
- What is uncomfortable?
- What is helpful?
- What is emerging?
2. Opportunities for research and reflection: Where do the legacies of enslavement play out in life in:
- your meeting
- your town
- your area or
- your country?
3. How do the legacies of enslavementimpact on:
- health
- economic wellbeing
- education
- mental health
- spiritual wellbeing
- access to justice
4. Reflecting on our resources, what internal or external resources:
- do you have?
- does your family have?
- does your meeting have?
How could these be used in a reparative way?
Inner resources include specific strengths, qualities, and experience, as well as the knowledge and skills you've acquired . External resources include relationships, contacts, and networks you can draw on, as well as material resources such as money, equipment, and places to work or recharge.
Banner image: Harbour Street, Kingston, Jamaica by James Hakewill, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
