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From story
Abolition and Anti-slavery Movements in Leeds
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'Am I Not a Man and a Brother' Token

A circular anti-slavery token, like a coin or a medal, with image of a kneeling African enslaved person in chains, and the slogan ‘Am I not a man and brother?’ The kneeling enslaved person is the enduring image of the abolitionist movement, made into porcelain medallions by Wedgewood, minted into metal coins like this one and printed on abolitionist propaganda material. 

Is this one of the first campaigning logos?

How does it make you feel?

Is this an empowering or a reductive image?

What evidence is there for your decision?

You can see the reverse of the token here.

More recently, the image has been criticised for depicting enslaved Africans as passive figures, pleading to the British for their freedom. It does not recognise the role of enslaved and formerly enslaved people in fighting against their own enslavement and the trade in enslaved Africans

Image © Leeds Museums and Galleries