Better Late Than Not At All… #RRBC #RWISA #History

There are 29 days in February this year and on day 22, I am just posting recognition of BLACK HISTORY MONTH.   I’m going to share someone who inspires me greatly.

HARRIET TUBMAN

Harriet Tubman (born Araminta Ross, c. March 1822^[1] – March 10, 1913) was an American abolitionist and political activist. Born into slavery, Tubman escaped and subsequently made some 13 missions to rescue approximately 70 enslaved people, including family and friends,^[2] using the network of antislavery activists and safe houses known as the Underground Railroad. During the American Civil War, she served as an armed scout and spy for the Union Army. In her later years, Tubman was an activist 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, but hitting her instead. The injury caused dizziness, pain, and spells of hypersomnia, which occurred throughout her life. After her injury, Tubman began experiencing strange visions and vivid dreams, which she ascribed to premonitions from God. These experiences, combined with her Methodist upbringing, led her to become devoutly religious.

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”.^[3] After the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 was passed, she helped guide fugitives farther north into British North America (Canada), and helped newly freed slaves find work. Tubman met John Brown in 1858, and helped him plan and recruit supporters for his 1859 raid on Harpers Ferry.

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 her death in 1913, she became an icon of courage and freedom.

~ Source: Wikipedia

Two nights ago my husband and I watched the movie HARRIET on cable TV.  If I had to rate the movie, I would give it 4-stars as it had less of what I was expecting for a movie depicted in the 1800s.  As an example, a slave woman was yelling out and calling her Massa (yes, I’m here to educate today, my Darlings – it was not Master) the devil and evil.  He blew her off with a wave of his hand, so we know this was not a correct depiction of what would have really happened back then.

What truly moved me was the strength of HARRIET – this is why I have chosen to post this piece about her – for those of you who think you know, but have never really bothered to dig deeper into this heroine they called MOSES.

Finally, I’m leaving you with the trailer to the movie which includes the movie’s theme song, STAND UP.  Now, I’m just seeing this, but I was disappointed to find that actress and singer, Cynthia Erivo performed this song at the 2020 Oscars and she was so elegant doing so. (Yes, I went back and googled the performance).

Black, White, Yellow, Brown or Blue, please take a moment to view this trailer in its entirety.  It moved me to tears.

 “You don’t have to be oppressed to disagree with the oppressor. Change only comes when we all take a stand.” ~ Nonnie Jules

What do you think?  Encouraged to see the movie now or, learn a bit more about HARRIET?  Have you seen the movie?  If so, what did you think about it?

Thanks for dropping by!