奴隷制度廃止論者、ベンジャミン・レイの過激な運動

Historic Vids @historyinmemes

Benjamin Lay was a 4-foot-7-inch hunchbacked Quaker who was an abolitionist. After witnessing the horror of slavery firsthand while working in Barbados, Lay decided to dedicate his life to abolishing it. In 1731, Lay was kicked out of the Caribbean island by slaveowners who became increasingly hostile towards his anti-slavery activities. Lay settled in Philadelphia and continued his activism by handing out pamphlets and giving speeches. In 1737, Benjamin Franklin published Lay's book, "All Slave-Keepers That Keep the Innocent in Bondage, Apostates," which outlined the hypocrisy and evils of prominent Quakers who enslaved people. In 1738, Lay gave a speech detailing the evils of slavery. He ended it by declaring, "Thus shall God shed the blood of those persons who enslave their fellow creatures." He then proceeded to take his sword and pierce the Bible. Unbeknownst to the audience, Lay had concealed a bag of pokeberry juice inside the Bible, which began to squirt all over as the sword went through. Lay was immediately thrown out of the church but decided to lie down on the doorsteps, forcing everyone to step over his "bloodied" body as they left. His efforts eventually convinced the Philadelphia Society of Friends to expel all members who were enslavers. Lay also boycotted any products that were made by enslaved people. This included any clothing made out of cotton or wool. He made his own clothes using flax. In one instance, when he discovered that his hosts had enslaved people in the house, he abruptly got up and headed for the door, shouting, "I will not share with thee the fruits of thy unrighteousness." In perhaps his most extreme stunt, Lay convinced his neighbor's 6-year-old son to come over to his house. By evening time, Lay observed the boy's parents desperately searching for their son. At this point, Lay told them the following: "Your child is safe in my house, and you may now conceive of the sorrow you inflict upon the parents of the negroe girl you hold in slavery, for she was torn from them by avarice."

拡大

XRP Myth Buster @XRPMythBuster

@historyinmemes He lived a very unconventional life, even for his time. He and his wife lived in a cave in Abington, Pennsylvania, and he practiced a strict vegetarian diet, refusing to consume any animal products or anything produced by slave labor. pic.twitter.com/2Aak5hPlRc

拡大

Tech.Is.Beautiful @Itspash209497

Benjamin Lay's unorthodox and daring methods of activism earned him a reputation as one of history's earliest and most passionate abolitionists. Despite his physical limitations, Lay fearlessly used his voice, writings, and symbolic acts to challenge the institution of slavery and raise awareness about its moral injustices. 👌🏼✅