Black History Month: People Who Changed the World #6 · 3:05am Feb 7th, 2018
Welcome to another installment in my Month-Long anthology which depicts specific African-American people who, in one way or another, changed the world. Today we will be highlighting a woman who's determination as an abolitionist helped over 700 slaves to freedom in the north. Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you a Mrs. Harriet Tubman.
Bio: Harriet Tubman (born Araminta Ross; c. 1822 – March 10, 1913) was an American abolitionist, humanitarian, and an armed scout and spy for the United States Army during the American Civil War. Born into slavery, Tubman escaped and subsequently made some thirteen missions to rescue approximately seventy enslaved people, family and friends, using the network of antislavery activists and safe houses known as the Underground Railroad. She later helped abolitionist John Brown recruit men for his raid on Harpers Ferry, and in the post-war era was an active participant in the struggle for women's suffrage. Born a slave in Dorchester County, Maryland, Tubman was beaten and whipped by her various masters as a child. Early in life, she suffered a traumatic head wound when an irate slave owner threw a heavy metal weight intending to hit another slave and hit her instead. The injury caused dizziness, pain, and spells of hypersomnia, which occurred throughout her life. She was a devout Christian and experienced strange visions and vivid dreams, which she ascribed to premonitions from God.
In 1849, Tubman escaped to Philadelphia, then immediately returned to Maryland to rescue her family. Slowly, one group at a time, she brought relatives with her out of the state, and eventually guided dozens of other slaves to freedom. Traveling by night and in extreme secrecy, Tubman (or "Moses", as she was called) "never lost a passenger". After the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 was passed, she helped guide fugitives farther north into British North America, and helped newly freed slaves find work.
When the Civil War began, Tubman worked for the Union Army, first as a cook and nurse, and then as an armed scout and spy. The first woman to lead an armed expedition in the war, she guided the raid at Combahee Ferry, which liberated more than 700 slaves. After the war, she retired to the family home on property she had purchased in 1859 in Auburn, New York, where she cared for her aging parents. She was active in the women's suffrage movement until illness overtook her and she had to be admitted to a home for elderly African Americans that she had helped to establish years earlier. After she died in 1913, she became an icon of American courage and freedom.
My thoughts: As a decent history bluff, I have done immense research into the inner workings on the "Underground Railroad", even going as far as going on an interactive simulation tour a few years back of the trail. I applaud what strength Mrs. Tubman had to do what she did. And Now! A quote from Harriet Tubman:
Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.
this is interesting i never been good with history i should if it's about my race i'm sad i don't even know anything about my race
4791296
Darlin' it's okay. Believe me, quite a few black or mixed-race people don't know about a lot of this stuff. Be it that I am 49.99% Black American and the fact that I grew up in predominantly black neighborhoods/schools, it is no wonder that I knew all this info (that and I did a report on her in 3rd grade and got an A+).
4791302
To be honest my school haven't really touched on that while i was their
4791305
Hmmm...interesting.
4791307
i mean we did get into black history but not really far in
4791317
I expected that. When I was still in elementary school, one school did take it to an great level as far as education on Black History Month was concerned. (Considering the school was called Mary McLeod Bethune Academy...that should give ya a clue there).
4791523
it just my school didn't really have time to because of weather problems but we did do a black history program every year
4791567
Well that's someing ain't it? I mean, well I can see with weather being 👎 than of course.
4791631
it is but i want to learn more sometimes
4791634
Well then, consider yourself lucky that my series will be here for the entirety of February. Filled with as much information/quotes as I feel necessary! On that note, I highly encourage you to do research for yourself. It could prove beneficial.
4791716
i will when i have the time and thank you
4791719
No worries. Believe me, it takes time and patience to look up this kind of information.😄
4791720
it sure does unrelated question do you know how old twilight is? you can answer if you want
4791725
Twilight the book series? If that's what you meant, than the first book turns 13 this year (October 5, 2005).
4791734
i meant the show
4791738
Ahh, in that case...idk? Well a lot of people have theorized that ponies age similarly to humans so judging by the fact that the show's been on for almost 8 years, add on the fact that while Twilight and her friends have stated their cutie-mark stories and we saw her as a young filly. Plus the fact that she's apparently old enough to run a library yet still be an apprentice/student of Princess Celestia. I would estimate somewhere in her early to mid 20s.
4791743
wow you and fallout said the same thing in her 20s
4791745
I figured that.
4791749
hehe you two are so insync
4791753
Are not! That was mere coincidence.
4791755
or is it hehehe lols *hugs*
4791761
Oh you! Lol. *hugs*
4791762
this has been a good day
4791764
Excellent!
4791797
heh
4791815
👍
One of my personal heroes from childhood on. A genuine badass.
4792024
Same.