This biography tells the true story of one of history's forgotten women, a Englishwoman named Alice Seeley Harris who has also been called the Mother of Human Rights. She has been hidden by her husband's shadow since she started her African journey near the end of the Victorian era, but now her story is brought to light by author Judy Pollard Smith in Don't Call Me Lady: The Journey of Lady Alice Seeley Harris. Armed with her Bible, zeal, and a camera, Harris arrived in the steaming African jungle of Congo and documented the worst atrocities known to humanity. She captured enough evidence on her glass lantern slides to bring down the Belgian King Leopold, who ruled the colony of the Congo Free State. In this biography, Smith uses imagined conversations based on in-depth research to tell Harris's story of her work. She also provides questions that allow her book to be used in classes or discussion groups. The world gave credit to the men in this story, but Smith provides evidence that it was the young, English missionary and photographer whose bravery truly changed history.

Auszug. � Genehmigter Nachdruck. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.

Don't Call Me Lady

The Journey of Lady Alice Seeley Harris

By Judy Pollard Smith

Abbott Press

CHAPTER 1

Don't Call Me Lady;

The Journey of Lady Alice Seeley Harris

Stories get told in their own ways. They find their own depth, their own level. They run their own watercourse. They ripple and flow in the way the teller of the tale means for them to go. Alice Seeley Harris's story is no exception.

Her story was one that caused more than the occasional ripple on the water. It caused a flood of new ideas, of new ways to see.

Like the water of life, it brought hope to thousands.

Alice believed that she had a message to take to the Congolese people; the message of the Christian Gospel. Instead she had to save the Congolese people from a King who professed the Christian message. King Leopold The Second of Belgium donned the soft wool of a lamb to hide the shaggy fur of a wolf.

"By their fruits ye shall know them". Alice would have known this Biblical injunction well, and a good thing she did.

Stories get told differently by all those who were present and sometimes by those who were not.

King Leopold would tell his personal story in one particular way, while Alice would tell it in another.

Alice's descendants could tell her story too in a variety of ways.

History proves us all to have been a little bit right and a little bit wrong.

Who is there to tell the tale so that it comes out right, cleansed like a newly rinsed white shirt, pressed, ironed smooth of all hurts and wrinkles, packaged and wrapped in the way we want to present it?

There were many people in Alice's story, most of whom have had their say throughout the history of the Congo Reform movement.

It is time for Alice's story. She is the one woman who is named in subdued printed text in history books for her valiant efforts, as if Alice was not worthy of bold print, of exclamation marks, of her own chapters. Of her own book.

Her Victorian mindset allowed her to place the man she loved, her husband who later became Sir John Hobbis Harris, on a pedestal where she believed he belonged.

Alice, I'm talking to you now. Together it's time we told your story.

In one of your husband's books, Dawn in Darkest Africa, which I have come to believe that you wrote for him, he has acknowledged you with the words "To my devoted companion who has so patiently borne the hardships of travel and the long strain of our labours for the native races."

But he forgot to name your name.

Speak up Alice. It's your turn now. We're listening.

We're naming your name.

Brussels, Belgium, circa 1903 ~ King Leopold speaks

That little English woman! All of them! Those blasted missionaries interfering with what is not theirs to concern themselves, especially that English woman. Harris. Alice, they call her.

I got there first. The Congo Free State belongs to me. I'm even the one who named it, who changed the name from Kongo. I own it. I got it fair and square from the Chiefs. They all knew what they were doing when they ceded their lands to me. They liked the trinkets I sent them in exchange for their territories, the presents I gave them. I had my men make a fuss over them.

I've never been to the Congo Free State myself. There is no need of that. I've appointed my Overseers, most of them from Belgium, a few from the Congo Free State itself and a few from Zanzibar, from here and from there. The Force Publique we call them. It is true that I had to chose many men who were in trouble of one type or another to do this job for me, men who suffered from addictions of every sort, from debt, family troubles and criminal tribulations, but who else would agree to work in the heat of the jungle? And the other overseer jobs are valued amongst the Congolese themselves, provided they do what my Force requires of them. It's all meant to keep order of course, all meant to help them collect the rubber to ship back to Europe.

What's all this fuss about that those abominable missionaries are making? Even before those missionaries had heard my name I had a sound plan for these heathens.

I was open with the world as my plan unfolded. I hid nothing.

I visited my cousin Queen Victoria in England before I did any of this. I studied the Colonial policies of other European countries ahead of time. Belgium is so small. I could see the need for expansion.

I can explain it this way. Holland is in Indonesia. Napoleon tried but failed to move into Mexico. My cousin Victoria has a vast and growing Empire. Nobody is complaining about her, so why me? Colonialism is the done thing just now. I am not alone.

I planned this move into Africa well. I'm a thorough fellow when it comes to presenting a new idea.

I planned a huge conference to be held Brussels in 1876. I knew it was time to move. I could garner support and take advantage of my thirst for Imperialism. (I never did mention that part to the press, but business is business after all.)

I went all out. Spared no expense. I called in a panel of world geography experts, of churchmen, scientists, politicians, the famous, the moneyed. I had rooms made up in the Palace for the visitors. I even gave them a bit of a show. I sat on my throne encircled by a thousand blazing candles. It thrilled them, showed them what an important role Belgium was ready to play in its efforts to reach out into the wider world.

The British weren't interested in Congo. I learned that during my lunch with the Prince of Wales and the explorer Cameron who had just returned from his trek across Africa. He himself told me that. So if the British didn't want it what is their problem with me having it now? Are they jealous? I gave a rousing opening speech. I said these exact words:

"To open to civilization the only part of our globe which it has not yet penetrated, to pierce the darkness which hangs over entire peoples is, I dare say, a crusade worthy of this century of progress ... Belgium may be a small country but she is happy and satisfied with her fate; I have no other ambition than to serve her well."

It's a most strange feeling to be quoting oneself, but I feel pleased about that speech. It showed a goodly amount of healthy public relations for our dear Belgium and for my aims as the King. And they bought it! I did exaggerate when I claimed Belgium to be happy and satisfied with her fate, but a sound business plan must be carefully crafted and there is nothing to argue about when it comes to a good business plan. We would all agree to that. I expect that even nosey little Mrs. Harris, Alice, would agree.

How they applauded me! Thunderous it was! The very din sounded as if a thousand elephants were stampeding throughout the palace courtyards, their huge (and valuable) ivory tusks raised in appreciation of my plan!

Who can find fault with that, when even Sir Thomas Buxton, President of The British Anti-Slavery Association was present? It was plain to see that he was enjoying himself.

Back to Mrs. Harris and her coterie of bleeding hearts. Who do they think they are, poking their pristine British noses into my affairs? They should tend to their own business.

I've instructed the Force Publique to drive them away. I didn't exactly say "kill her". I only ordered my Overseers to do what needed doing to shut her up. I will confess that I hinted that perhaps the Congo steamers might forget to deliver them...

��ber diesen Titel� kann sich auf eine andere Ausgabe dieses Titels beziehen.

Anbieterinformationen

Hello! Ria Christie Collections is an online venture that was initially set up in 2012 to sell books. We do not have a physical high street store. We are professional online booksellers. We only sell brand new books in perfect condition that we source from various suppliers and the publishers. Primarily, our aim is to provide an excellent service to all our customers. We always work as a team to achieve this. Our other objectives are to: 1. Ensure that all our products reach their destination quickly in a safe and secure manner 2. Answer to all our customer queries within 24 hours 3. Ensure that our customers are happy with their purchases 4. Provide all the items at a competitive price 5. Always listen to our customers Ria Christie Collections is not a registered company. It is a Sole Trader venture. Other key information is shown below: Contact Person Name: Rakesh Luchmun (Mr) Storefront Name: Ria Christie Collections Place of Establishment Address: Suite B; ARUN House; ARUN Building Arundel Road Uxbridge UB8 2RR United Kingdom E-Mail Address: riachristie@hotmail.co.uk VAT Number: GB 160 5650 25 We always work hard and aim to comply with all of Abebooks Policies. If you have any issues, please do not hesitate to write to us whether before or after a purchase. We promise to reply to you promptly and, in any case, within 24 hours. Thank you kindly! Yours sincerely Mr Rakesh Luchmun (Founder) and the Ria Christie Collections Team

Zur Homepage des Verk�ufers

Unternehmensdaten des Verk�ufers

Ryefield Investments Limited
175 Pield Heath Road, Uxbridge, UB8 3NL, United Kingdom

Gesch�ftsbedingungen und Versandinformationen

Verkaufsbedingungen

All Returns and Refund are as per Abebooks policies.

Widerrufsrecht

Wenn Sie Verbraucher sind, k�nnen Sie gem�� den folgenden Bestimmungen vom Vertrag zur�cktreten. Verbraucher ist jede nat�rliche Person, die zu Zwecken handelt, die nicht ihrer kaufm�nnischen, gewerblichen, k�nstlerischen oder beruflichen T�tigkeit zugerechnet werden k�nnen.

Informationen zum Widerrufsrecht

Gesetzliches Widerrufsrecht

Sie haben das Recht, den Vertrag innerhalb von 14 Tagen ohne Angabe von Gr�nden zu widerrufen.

Die Widerrufsfrist betr�gt 14 Tage ab dem Tag, an dem Sie oder ein von Ihnen benannter Dritter, der nicht der Transporteur ist, die letzte Ware oder den letzten Posten oder das letzte Exemplar in Besitz genommen hat.

Um das Widerrufsrecht auszu�ben, f�llen Sie auf unserer Website unter „Meine Eink�ufe" in „Mein Nutzerkonto" eine eindeutige Erkl�rung elektronisch aus und senden Sie sie ab. Wir werden Ihnen unverz�glich eine Best�tigung �ber den Eingang eines solchen Widerrufs auf einem dauerhaften Datentr�ger (z. B. per E-Mail) �bermitteln.

Um die Widerrufsfrist einzuhalten, reicht es aus, dass Sie Ihre Mitteilung �ber die Aus�bung des Widerrufsrechts vor Ablauf der Widerrufsfrist absenden.

Auswirkungen des Widerrufs

Wenn Sie diesen Vertrag widerrufen, erstatten wir Ihnen alle Zahlungen, die wir von Ihnen erhalten haben, einschlie�lich der Lieferkosten (mit Ausnahme der zus�tzlichen Kosten, die entstehen, wenn Sie eine andere Art der Lieferung als die von uns angebotene g�nstigste Standardlieferung gew�hlt haben).

Wir k�nnen einen Abzug von der R�ckerstattung f�r den Wertverlust der gelieferten Waren vornehmen, wenn der Verlust auf eine unn�tige Behandlung durch Sie zur�ckzuf�hren ist.

Wir werden die R�ckerstattung unverz�glich und nicht sp�ter als 14 Tage nach dem Tag vornehmen, an dem wir �ber Ihre Entscheidung, diesen Vertrag zu widerrufen, informiert wurden.

F�r die R�ckerstattung verwenden wir dasselbe Zahlungsmittel, das Sie f�r die urspr�ngliche Transaktion verwendet haben, es sei denn, Sie haben ausdr�cklich etwas anderes vereinbart; in keinem Fall werden Ihnen aufgrund einer solchen R�ckerstattung Geb�hren berechnet.

Wir k�nnen die R�ckzahlung verweigern, bis wir die Waren wieder zur�ckerhalten haben oder Sie den Nachweis erbracht haben, dass Sie die Waren zur�ckgesandt haben, je nachdem, was eher eintritt.

Sie m�ssen die Waren unverz�glich und in jedem Fall sp�testens 14 Tage ab dem Tag, an dem Sie uns �ber den Widerruf dieses Vertrags unterrichten, an Ria Christie Collections, Uxbridge, United Kingdom, zur�cksenden oder �bergeben. Die Frist ist eingehalten, wenn Sie die Ware vor Ablauf der Frist von 14 Tagen zur�cksenden. Sie m�ssen die direkten Kosten der R�cksendung der Waren tragen. Sie haften nur f�r einen etwaigen Wertverlust der Waren, der auf eine Behandlung zur�ckzuf�hren ist, die nicht zur Pr�fung der Art, Eigenschaften und Funktionsweise der Waren erforderlich ist.

Ausnahmen vom Widerrufsrecht

Das Widerrufsrecht gilt nicht f�r:

Die Lieferung von Zeitungen, Zeitschriften oder Magazinen mit Ausnahme von Abonnementvertr�gen; und
Die Lieferung digitaler Inhalte, die nicht auf einem physischen Medium (z. B. auf einer CD oder DVD) geliefert werden, wenn Sie bei Ihrer Bestellung akzeptiert haben, dass wir mit der Lieferung beginnen k�nnen und dass Sie nach Beginn der Lieferung den Vertrag nicht mehr widerrufen k�nnen.

Versandbedingungen

Orders usually ship within 2 business days. If your book order is heavy or oversized, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required. Thank you!

Versandkosten von Vereinigtes K�nigreich nach USA

Versandkosten von Vereinigtes K�nigreich nach USA
Bestellmenge	6 bis 12�Werktage	6 bis 12�Werktage
Erster Artikel	EUR 10.93	EUR 10.93

Die Versandzeiten werden von den Verk�uferinnen und Verk�ufern festgelegt. Sie variieren je nach Versanddienstleister und Standort. Sendungen, die den Zoll passieren, k�nnen Verz�gerungen unterliegen. Eventuell anfallende Abgaben oder Geb�hren sind von der K�uferin bzw. dem K�ufer zu tragen. Die Verk�uferin bzw. der Verk�ufer kann Sie bez�glich zus�tzlicher Versandkosten kontaktieren, um einen m�glichen Anstieg der Versandkosten f�r Ihre Artikel auszugleichen.