This lecture, by Marcus Rediker, explores the life and thought of Benjamin Lay, a radical abolitionist dwarf who, in the 1730’s, practiced guerilla theater against slave-owners and became one of the first to argue for the immediate, unconditional abolition of slavery. This intellectual history from below argues that Lay’s radicalism was a rope of five strands: “primitive Quakerism,” seafaring solidarity, African-American freedom struggles, commoning, and ancient philosophy. Lay’s radical thought and practice suggest a new genealogy of anti-slavery.
In addition to this lecture, please join Marcus Rediker for a screening and discussion of Ghosts of Amistad. This program entitled Making Ghosts of Amistad: History from Below in Action, is hosted by DePaul University’s Center for Black Diaspora and will be held in the Rosati room in the John Richardson Library, 2350 North Kenmore Avenue. The screening will take place on Wednesday, April 27th, 2:30-5:30 pm.