London Quakers look at reparations
At the end of November, London Quakers organised an event to explore the why, what and how of reparations. It was a day of sharing and learning, art and history, and deep consideration. It started with a presentation by the artists behind the exhibition 'Charlotte Woolford – Mal Woolford – No Relation', recently displayed at Westminster Meeting House.
Charlotte and Mal shared their story, beginning as acquaintances on the school playground before finding they shared the same last name. Then embarking on a project together combining photography and historical research, eventually tracing their family connection back to Guyana, where a branch of Mal's family most probably enslaved Charlotte's ancestors. Hearing their story and witnessing the friendship created through this process was fascinating, powerful and beautiful. It brought home the truth that 'history is sitting in the room with you'.
More stories were shared during an activity involving a map of the world and coloured string. In small groups we shared personal connections to different locations through ancestry or experience. Links were shown on the map with the string, creating a web symbolising stories involving colonialism and exploitation from near and afar.
There was an introduction to the work of the Reparations Working Group and a video explaining the links between Lloyds of London's historical involvement in the transatlantic chattel slave trade, climate change, and their current involvement in insuring oil pipelines in Africa. Lucy Saint-Smith shared her research into four historical London Quakers who contributed in different ways to the enslavement of Black Africans. Quakers in Lancaster and Bristol have undertaken similar research into local Quaker historical involvement, and it is hoped that many more meetings will take part in this work. The day came to a hopeful close with a decision to meet again to look at how reparations can be taken forward. If you want to engage with this work through London Quakers, you can fill in this form.