1. Who are you? (Name, Age)
2. Where are you? (Location in USA)
3. What is the date?(a specific date as well as one contemporary event from the periods to give your narrative historical context)
4. In your experience, does our democratic government establish equality among Americans? (Explain your answer)
5.What are the challenges to equality that you or those around you experience? How are those challenges overcome?
Dear Diary, I’ve come down with an illness more horrible than ever. Even worse than the head injury I received when I was 13. And that led to many bad things going on with me: seizures and many headaches. But this time, I don’t know if God will be able to make me well again. The doctor came to “The Harriet Tubman Home for Indigent and Aged Colored People” yesterday and told me I came down with pneumonia. He said it was very dangerous for someone of my age, 93, to withstand. But even though I think I might be leaving this world in maybe a week or two, I feel accomplished.
I’ve made maybe 15 trips down south to help save about 300 slaves and make them be free from the heartless hands of the slave-holders. Being born into slavery, I could empathize what they were experiencing. But when I finally ran away in 1849, I had headed to Philadelphia and knew how un-barbaric things were in the north. I led through the “Underground Railroad”, simply a passage for slaves to head up north into Auburn or even Canada. Those winter nights guiding my people as “Moses” were long and cold. But I knew that God gave me my power to push farther and farther, changing their lives, multiple at a time.
The Fugitive Slave Law led many slave-holders searching for me to make a good amount so they can only benefit themselves in unkindly ways. I remember a time where there were signs up, looking for me, Harriet Tubman for $40,000. But if only they knew where to look! And between the years 1861 and 1865, you could say I was unstoppable. Being the cook and nurse of the Union Army soon led me to being an armed scout and spy. Pretending to be a slave once more gave me insight on the Confederate positions. During the war, we saw lightning in smaller guns, thunder in the big ones, rain falling from the seeping blood of the wounded, and soon there were the crops noticed as the dead men of the south. And the north won! Slavery was soon abolished and represented as the thirteenth amendment in our nation’s Bill of Rights.
For the longest time, our government has ignored the cries of African Americans. I’ve dealt with many slaves not respected for their freedom and extremely injured. You could see a slave holder busy with their “high-class” life, while another man worked for someone other than himself. It’s surprising how the government had made such a big deal on making the people give say when most of the population can’t even vote for their president. I’ve overcome my struggle with liberty by freeing myself and others to let them live as a real Americans. I knew that was right and currently, I will try to let our government allow anyone, not depending on gender, vote. Everyone has a voice and they should use it. I’m getting tired. I should just relax for now…
Elizabeth G. Period Nine
Citations: Chang, Ina. A Seperate Battle. New York: Lodestar Books, 1991. Print.
Reef, Catherine. "Tubman, Harriet." African Americans in the Military, A to Z of African Americans. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2004. African-American History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp? ItemID=WE01&iPin=AAM0112&SingleRecord=True (accessed March 23, 2010).
"Harriet Tubman." Encanted Learning. N.p., 2009. Web. 23 Mar. 2010..
"Fugitive Slave Act of 1850." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.,, 21 Mar. 2010. Web. 23 Mar. 2010. .
"Harriet Tubman." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., 22 Mar. 2010. Web. 23 Mar. 2010. .
Hello, my name is Harriet Tubman. I was born into slavery in Maryland and I started working on plantations when I was five years old. I am now thirty-four years old, and I escaped slavery five years ago. Slavery was terrible and we were treated cruelly. We would get whipped if we did not obey what the white men said. When I was 13, I stood up to a plantation overseer who was about to whip another slave. Then the plantation overseer struck me in the head with a two-pound weight. It has left me with a permanent head injury. My injury just shows how terrible slavery really is. It is very unfair and should defiantly be stopped. It is unfair that white men get to boss us around and we cannot do anything to stop them except escape. We had to constantly work all day. We did not get paid and did not get the same rights as the white people. White people should be equal to African-Americans because we are both people. After I escaped, I promised myself I would go back and rescue my friends and family. In total, I have made 19 trips to help around 300 slaves escape. We had many challenges to stay hidden along the way. To make sure we stayed hidden and would not get caught, I hid them during the day and we traveled at night. We usually made the trips during the winter. I used many disguises and I cleverly planned the trips to make sure they would be free. I hope that in the future slavery will be stopped and that some day African-Americans will be equal to white people.
Sources: Chang, Ina. A Separate Battle: Women and the Civil War. New York City: Lodestar Books, 1991. Print.
“Moses Arrives with Six Passengers.” African-American History Online. Facts on File, n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2010. .
“Tubman, Harriet.” African-American History Online. Facts on File, 2004. Web. 23 Mar. 2010. .
“The Underground Railroad.” African-American History Online. Facts on File, 1994. Web. 24 Mar. 2010. .
I was making my way to a meeting in Boston, Massachusetts when I came across a fugitive slave who had been captured and I helped her out. I have helped people escape and become free ever since I was 29, when I helped my sister and her two children escape from Maryland. I have made about 19 dangerous trips back and forth between the North and South, and have freed about 300 slaves. I never lost a single passenger along the way. My life has not always been the best of times. I was born into slavery. At age 5, I had to work in the kitchen and at age 12, I worked in the fields. I would repeatedly get whipped for things I had done wrong. At night, I slept as close as I could to the fire, and sometimes to avoid getting frostbite, I stuck my toes in the ashes. Around that time, I truly understood that blacks were not equal to whites. A couple years later, an overseer threw a two-pound weight at someone, but they missed them and it fractured my skull. I never fully recovered from it and sometimes I would go into deep sleeps because of it. When I was 23 years old I married a man named John Tubman, a free African American. I took his last name and changed my name from Araminta to Harriet, after my mother. I was scared everyone who worked on the plantation was going to be sold, so I ran away. John did not want to come and he told me he would tell my master if I left, so one night I left him without him knowing. I followed the North Star all the way to Philadelphia and I got a job. A white abolitionist gave me a white slip of paper, which told me the first house that I should go to on my path to freedom. It was then where I started making those journeys back via underground railroads to help people pursue their goals of being free. I even worked as a nurse, scout, and spy in the civil war, but I still helped free slaves at the time. After the war, I returned to Auburn, New York and I got re-married to Nelson Davis. We built a house together on South Street, and right down the street, I actively participated in supporting Women’s Rights. -sophia pd. 1-
Sources: “HARRIET ROSS TUBMAN.” back to The African American History of Western New York. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2010. .
“Harriet Tubman.” Africans in America. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2010. .
Dear Diary, May 19th 1844 Today was the best day I have had in a very long time. John and I finally got married we are madly in love and can’t wait to spend the rest of our life together. He is a slave just like me and the best part is he experiences the same hardship as me. I like to think of us as a team, we will attack things together and help each other through the hard times. I will encourage him to achieve goals that are out of reach and I know he will do the same for me. I finally for once feel that I am equal to the while men. We now have one thing in common and that is, we both have someone we love. I hope all this joy and somewhat equality will last throughout my life. Okay, well I better get some rest now. I will keep you updated on my life. Love, Harriet Tubman Dear Diary, June 21st 1844 It’s been about a month since I have written to you. The weather has been harsh; I have been trying to sleep near the fire so I can keep warm. John and I have talked about our goals for the rest of our life- as disappointing as this may sound we have more differences than I ever imagined. I feel our connection for each other stretching more and more apart. I aspire to make and escape to the north. And live my life to the fullest. But John said he will never travel to the north with me and asked what I was ever thinking of making such a hard long trip. I tried some more convincing, and it just got worse, he said if I ever went missing he would tell our master that I ran away to the north. It seems as nothing goes my way. Once I find something that our masters and I have in common it takes a wrong turn and now I am back to square one-with nothing in common. I am not treated equally to those white people. Why does this happen? What did I do to deserve such misery? Well I better get going and try to get some sleep. Goodbye for now. Sincerely, Harriet Dear diary, 1850 It’s been a while since I have last written to you. Much has change since then. John and I have grown apart, we are still together but it isn’t like I used to be. I am thinking about leaving him, but I still need to ponder that decision. Much has changed, but life has also not changed a bit. I have been thinking about the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution- I believe how they have been treating us is unconstitutional and violates our democracy of equality for every men. It confuses me that American men gave these ideas but nothing seems to change. I have been treated the same way since they gave these ideas. Recently I have witnessed two people getting beaten by our master and all I can seem to think about is how this goes for the idea of equality, because we don’t see white males getting beaten nearly to death when they make a mistake. Its gotten so bad my race isn’t even considered a person, equality doesn’t exist for everyone like they said it would. African Americans are the people too and deserve to be treated equally. I believe that every one- no matter the color of their skin or their gender should be treated equally. I hope the next time I write to you we have just as many opportunities as any one else on the earth. Love, Harriet
Dear Diary, 1850 You will never believe what I am going to do tonight- I am running away to Philadelphia. John is going to tell my master, but I don’t care. I am splitting up with him. We don’t have anything in common any more. Well I have to go in search of freedom and equality. Bye for now Harriet
Dear Diary, 1850 I made it successfully to Philadelphia. I was transported there in a carriage with a sack over my head so no one would find me! Now I a doing the most nerve wrecking activity I am helping one group of slaves escape just like I did. We are using the Underground Railroad to help sneak out. I am so glad that I can help theses slaves gain equality. I know after the run away goes successfully they can live a happier and more equal life. I have to go help the slaves. Sincerely Harriet.
Dear Diary, Well I am sorry I haven’t written to you lately. A ton of things have happened. In the underground rail road I was named the conductor! I helped so many slaves achieve their life long goal of being treated equal. After me and John broke up I have been thinking about marring again. Well it happed and we are portraying a happy and peaceful life again. I now live in Auburn New York and I notice much difference then Maryland. Now the civil war is happening in fight of our freedom. Now that I realize how miss treated I have been I have a quote that I have been saying. “I’ve grown up like a weed; I grew up like a neglected weed -- ignorant of liberty, having no experience of it.” But now things have changed I live a full life just like most of the African American’s. Equality is a huge aspect of living a happy and peaceful life and I a truly grateful that I get to experience such beauty. Well since this is the last page of my journal, this is my last journal entry. I would like to thank you for always being there for me and for watching me grow as a person. Thanks again for letting me share my experiences with you. Love always Harriet Tubman.
My name is Harriet Tubman, I was born in 1820. I lived mostly in Philadelphia but took a total of 15 trips south and rescued about 300 people from slavery including my relatives. I had such a large economic impact on the slaveholders in Maryland that there was a $40,000 reward for anyone who could capture me. In the 1850’s I started speaking at abolitionist rallies. Then in 1862, I started to get involved in the civil war. Governor John Andrew of Massachusetts gave me papers of introduction that permitted me to help the Union army. I joined General David Hunter at Beaufort, South Carolina and nursed the many ill and injured black people who were fleeing slavery. In 1863, I posed as a slave behind enemy lines as a spy and learned the strength and location of the Confederate positions. I was a pretty risky person because, “There was one of two things I had a right to, Liberty or death; if I could not have one, I would have the other”. That day I rescued 756 people from slavery. After a While Rescuing slaves became more difficult. In 1850 the Fugitive slave law was passed so if I got caught, I’d have a six month imprisonment and a $1,000 fine to pay. I moved to West Ontario, Canada, many escaped slaves decided that this be my permanent home. From this base, I assumed various disguises because people were offering rewards for my capture. After the war, I married Nelson Davis and we moved to Auburn, New York. In 1908 I built a house on our property where I cared for the elderly. Now it’s 1912 and I’m getting weak and old I’m not sure how much longer I can do this
http://www.fofweb.com/NuHistory/default.asp?ItemID=WE01&NewItemID=True Let it Shine written by Andrea Davis Pinkney Gulliver books Harcourt , inc San Diego 2000 http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USACWarmyU.htm http://www.fofweb.com/NuHistory/default.asp?ItemID=WE01&NewItemID=True http://www.fofweb.com/NuHistory/default.asp?ItemID=WE01&NewItemID=True http://www.fofweb.com/NuHistory/MainPrintPage.asp?iPin=AFENC194&DataType=AFHC&WinType=Free
At 13, I tried to protect a slave from a whipping by my master. I was hit by the same master on my head heavily, and was forever affected. This is my cause to free the slaves.
Now 26 years later, in Pennsylvania, I hear of this new law being passed, one that will create more suffering for my people. “The Fugitive Slave Act” is what this accursed thing is called. I cannot allow this to happen, and I will do any means possible if I can prevent this madness.
I have fought with my whole being for the rights of my people. I have gone time and time again into the south to save them. I have served as a nurse for the sickly and injured, and now I must put out more.
“I had reasoned this out in my mind, there was one of two things I had a right to, liberty or death; if I could not have one, I would have the other.” That is what I said long ago; I still believe in those words and hope it will inspire others.
The union is protecting the south, instead of fighting them like they should! They are doing nothing for us slaves. We always had to protect ourselves, to rely on each other. Now they are eliminating every right we earned by ourselves. Why do they cause this suffering: are they that inhumane?
This government needs to see that the slaves should be set free, otherwise what’s the point of keeping us here, far away from our home? They should treat everything and everyone like equals if they truly wish to be “democratic”.
For that matter, there is no equality among the whites. They should have never resorted to slavery; they should have helped each other and everyone. Instead they do the complete opposite! So now, with the few whites on our side, and every African here, we must stand up and fight back!
The south have long treated us as inferior, and they do not sway from that thinking. So now, nothing is in balance, the whites are only deciding what they want. Well, no longer should we endure this outrage!
We must free everyone: we need to make the whites see sense. Yet, I fear that we must resort to violence, if we wish to change their point of view. Already, I am planning on being a spy and scout to stop them along with my other duties. We must show that they can no longer have power over us!
-Edwin Pd.2
Works Cited Americas.library.gov. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2010. Fofweb.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2010. Gates Jr., Henry Louis. African Americans Voices of Triumph. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print. “Harriet Tubman.” About.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2010. “The Life of Harriet Tubman.” New York History Net. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2010.
Conor Per. 2 Hi, my name is Harriet Tubman (I was born Araminta Ross), and I was born in 1820. I started helping during the civil war in 1862, when I was allowed to aid the union army. I served as a nurse for a while for African-American slaves who were ill and malnourished and had fled slavery. I also served as a cook for a while. I also posed as a slave to get information about the confederacy, and with my help, we freed 756 slaves. I was stationed in South Carolina, and I did my best to help those poor slaves. I have had two husbands, John Tubman, who died in 1867; and Nelson Davis, a disabled veteran. Nelson died in 1888, which let me get a widow’s pension of $8.00 a month. That war really changed me; it made me remember all the troubles that African-Americans had to go through during the early 1800’s. It was very dangerous for African-Americans, with the slave trade blowing up all across the South. I am often called “The Moses of my time.” I don’t think I deserve that much praise. I was just doing what my heart told me to do. It just ripped my heart out to see these poor slaves treated horribly just because of the color of their skin. It’s a horrible thing that’s happened to African-Americans all over the country for many years. My dream is to have all equal rights for my fellow African-Americans. My work was the least that I could do, with all the hate around me. I have been exposed to all of this hatred most of my life. I was born into slavery in Maryland. I have always tried to protect people. When a field hand was being chased, I tried to help. The overseer threw a two-pound weight; it missed and hit me on the head. I never really recovered from that hit. I believe that I have served a very exciting life. I have been a soldier, a spy, and a nurse. I also aided in the Underground Railroad. I helped free about 300 African-Americans to the North. I’ve also helped my family members escape from the south. After the civil war, I had a peaceful life. The war made me a more helpful and intelligent person. I always wanted to help people, and this war definitely helped me achieve that. I never thought I would be that much of an influence, though. Over all, I believe that I had a moderate role in the Civil War, and I saved hundreds of people from the cruel treatings of slavery.
Works Cited Bradford, Sarah. “Harriet Tubman.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia, 22 Mar. 2010. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. . Garret, Thomas. “The life of Harriet Tubman.” New York History Net. New York History Net, 22 Mar. 2010. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. . PBS. “Harriet Tubman.” PBS. PBS, 22 Mar. 2010. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. . Reef, Catherine. “Harriet Tubman.” Facts on File. Facts on File, 25 Mar. 2010. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. . White, Deborah Gray. Let My People Go. New York City: Oxford UP, 1996. Print.
Charlotte Period 4 Whenever I look back on the time I escaped the plantation seeking freedom, I remember exactly how hard the times were. Zachary Taylor just became the twelfth president, and slavery was still harsh as ever, especially in the south. When word spread that slaves were going to be sold, I fled the area. I could not imagine how I would be treated on a new owner’s plantation. I also could not bear the thought that others would pay for me to work for them, even though it was against my will. It was then that I thought of the plan to escape. I waited for nightfall to set out on my journey. Whenever I recall this event, I can almost feel the adrenaline pulsing through my veins, feeling the excitement of what I was about to do. A kind Caucasian woman helped me to begin my quest for freedom, which I could have never completed without her. When I finally was out on my own, I walked to the North. The song Bound To Go, a popular song that I sang while I worked on the fields kept me motivated, and used the North Star as my compass. After walked for miles, I finally reached my destination: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Even though I was a free, and I was living in Pennsylvania for a year, I still was not satisfied. I knew that my family was working in the South on the same plantation that I grew up and worked on. I decided to bring them out of the South, so they can experience the feeling of freedom. The first family members I smuggled from the plantation were my sister, and her children. It was so rewarding to see them so thankful, so I decided to bring more of my family and fellow plantation workers to the North. Word spread about me bringing slaves to freedom, and if I were found and captured, there was a $40,000 reward. Although this put me under pressure, it did not stop me from helping others escape. By this time, I had made a total of nineteen trips to the south to help slaves in need. I loved the feeling of helping others, and this was the beginning of something that I wanted to, and still want to, take part in for the remainder of my life.
Works Cited:
African American Biographies. Danbury: Grolier, 2006. Print.
The American Heritage Songbook. N.p.: American Heritage, 1969. Print.
"1849 - What Happened in 1849 ?" Spiritus-temporis.com. Theiapolis.com, n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2010. http://www.spiritus-temporis.com/1849/
I, Harriet Tubman, was born into slavery in 1819 in Maryland where I was raised under harsh conditions, including whippings. I even suffer from narcolepsy now from a beating I received as a child. When I married John Tubman, a free African American, I decided to escape to get my freedom before I was sold to the South. At that time I didn’t know yet about the Underground Railroad but I was told about the first house and from there I was put on a wagon and sent to the next destination finally ending up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
After I got my freedom, I came back to Maryland to free my relatives and also freed many slaves and guided runaway slaves to freedom in the North. I helped as many people as I could to be free. Eventually, I became the conductor of the Underground Railroad. This all started out because I met William Still, the Philadelphia Stationmaster on the Underground Railroad. With his assistance and many others, I learned about the workings of the UGRR. I was always in danger of being arrested as part of the UGRR like many of my assistants have been. It was worth it though because I believe that I have helped many people and slaves. Overall, I freed hundreds of slaves trying to escape.
I don’t think that our democratic government established equality among Americans because slavery would not exist then. The Kansas-Nebraska Act even tried to let each new territory determine for themselves if they wanted to allow slavery instead of trying to abolish it outright. I had to free myself and other slaves but the government should have never let it happen or should have freed us. I don’t think that it is fair that I had to free myself before anyone else would stick up for us slaves and free us. Everyone has there own rights as the people and no matter what race we are shouldn’t matter if we have to become a slave or not. Nobody should be a slave regardless of their race. Democracy and our government were set up that all men are created equal, so how could the government let slavery happen instead of protecting everyone’s rights.
Works Cited American Civil War. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2010. . Garden of Praise. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2010. . Harriet Tubman. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2010. . Harriet Tubman. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2010. . History on Harriet Tubman. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2010. .
Oona Period 6. Social Studies 3/24/10 Harriet Tubman Dear Diary, I had reasoned this out in my mind; there was only two things I had a right to, liberty or death; if I could not have one, I would have the other; for no man would take me alive: I would fight for my liberty as long as my strength lasted. I remember when I was a slave. It was awful. I was forced to work all the time and never given anything for it. I was finally free when I got to Philadelphia. The year was 1849 and I was finally free. I remember how happy I was. I was free, but something still troubled me..Although so happy to escape from slavery, I couldn’t help but remember all those I left behind. All of my friends, and family members were left behind. I just had to do something to help them. I couldn’t leave all of my friends there to be tortured by slavery. I have had many bad experiences with slavery, like when I was 13 and I got hit in the head with a heavy object. Still to this day I suffer from it. I could not, would never let that happen to a friend of mine. I had to do something. I had to do something, and I am happy to say that I have helped several slaves escape from slavery. I have made 19 successful trips to Maryland through the under ground railroad started by the Quakers in Gulifort County North Carolina. It wasn’t easy. We had to travel at night to avoid being captured, being aware that any slave caught running away would be beaten horribly, jailed, or sold to yet another awful plantation. It was long and hard, 10 years of going to Maryland and back, making sure each and every slave was kept at a secret station, a safe house where they could be free from slavery. I had to be very careful, a $40,000 reward was offered for my capture by plantation owners. I knew that people were after me, but I had to save the slaves, I wasn’t going to let them stay slaves. Over 300 slaves I have saved, never once losing a passenger, but I still feel there’s more I can do. Still people are not being treated the way they should be. Still today, African Americans are not being treated the way they deserve! It is now the year 1862, and the Civil War is going on. I strongly believe that Slavery should be abolished! I have been traveling to several southern states to help spy for the Union, as well as working as a nurse for slaves in the north who have been freed. I believe that African Americans should be treated just as well as any person. They are humans too and deserve to be treated as such. The American Government does not do enough to protect the rights of people and abolish slavery. I will fight for this. I will do whatever it takes to stop slavery, and I will never stop until slavery is abolished! Although I don’t get much money for my works in the Union, I feel that the most important thing is putting an end to slavery!, Harriet Tubman
Works Cited Duncan, Jason K. “Underground Railroad.” Encyclopedia of American History: Civil War and Reconstruction. 5th ed. 2003. Facts On File History Database. Web. 23 Mar. 2010. . “Escape!” Underground Railroad Jan. 2005: 6-8. Print. Lapham, Thea. “Tubman, Harriet.” Encyclopedia of Women and American Politics. 2008 ed. 2008. Facts On File. Web. 23 Mar. 2010. . Quinn, Megan. “Tubman, Harriet.” Encyclopedia of American History: Civil War and Reconstruction. 5th ed. 2003. Facts On File History Database Search. Web. 23 Mar. 2010. . “Tubman, Harriet.” American History Online. Facts On File, n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2010. .
I can’t believe that my capture is worth 40,000 dollars. It’s hard trying to escape from slavery alone as it is. Then doing it for 300 other people including your family is even more of a challenge. I still can’t believe that I haven’t lost a single person yet. However it makes me feel good rescuing all those people since I have been through it myself ever since I was a baby. It’s ironic that I have saved so many people’s lives and yet not one of them knows who I am. All of these heroic works is making my job at being a nurse and a cook look a lot easier. I am now walking my family in the underground tunnel from Maryland to Canada. However, I am taking them one by one because they are most important to me and I really don’t want to loose them. It is currently 1849 and I am currently wanted with a reward of $40,000. As a result I better keep a sharp eye and better not get caught. However, I do have a gun at my side just incase I do get caught. Taking my family is a little bit harder of a task since they are so old. I have to stay with them and make sure that they do not get lost. I am hoping that after I successfully save my family, I hope to go back and save my husband. At times like these it’s hard to cope with the democratic government because everyone isn’t treated equally. Unfortunately not every color of skin or gender is appreciated in America. As a result we all have to fight for our freedom the hard way. We need to do everything secretively and if we get caught it’s off with our heads. Since this government is so unfair, I need to spend my time saving hundreds of people from slaverey and risking my life. In addition, I need to think about the fact that my capture is worth $40,000 and that any false move and I am a goner. I just wish that America was really “the land of the free, home of the brave.” Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harriet_Tubman http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p1535.html http://www.harriettubman.com/ http://www.nyhistory.com/harriettubman/life.htm http://www.harriettubmanbiography.com/
Hello reader- as I write this, there is great fear in my stomach, as we are returning back to the north for the tenth time. But, none-the-less, this time is very different. We have our largest load yet—over forty slaves. We have many young children with us as well, since most of the single men and women have already escaped by them selves, slipping away in the darkness. Keeping them quiet will be troublesome, but if we can do just that we will be able to get away. We will follow the north star, and stay along the coast. Some of the reasons that I am helping the slaves is that there are many challenges we will have to overcome to become equal. Some of these challenges are the unfairness of slavery, the unfair advantages that the whites have, and the racism that we negroes receive from the whites. By helping the slaves escape to their own freedom and liberty, I am aiding in the fight to overcome these challenges to equality. Just recently, on August 19, I had entered a small café in Richmond, Virginia, to peacefully sit down with a cup of tea and my book, since I had been traveling for many days before that. I ordered my tea, found a chair, and started reading my book, while minding the time. Not even five minutes later, a group of men had entered, ordered some pastries, and while they were waiting, they asked the mistress at the counter if she had seen me. They also pulled out a piece of paper, which had my picture and offered a forty-thousand dollar reward to the capturer, and showed it to her. After a minute, she replied, and said that she didn’t recognize me. At least she said that she had no recollection of me ever walking in to the place. I don’t know if she tried to help me, or if she didn’t really remember me, but I sunk down a bit in my chair, and let them pass. Then I fled as quickly as possible, and made my way back down to the south, faster than I would ever want to go. Lastly, before I finish, I would like to address some complaints I have come up with. I would like to complain about the fact that our democratic government does not treat all people with equality. We negroes are hard working fellow Americans, and the fact that the whites of the south are taking us—well basically hostage—and forcing us to their work, while they just sit back and do pleasurable things, like read books and hunt, and for the ladies, knit and bake. The fact that they can just sit down and do nothing except tell us what to do, whip us, and brutally beat us until we have nearly passed on is outrageous. They treat us like rag dolls, but we have to treat each and everyone of them like they are all kings. If someone would revolt, this problem would easily be resolved. I also feel that slavery does not establish justice, as stated in the Constitution, since the whites are getting fair treatment, and we are not, since we bust our backs, but we do not get fair compensations for our work.
--Araminta Harriet Ross Tubman
Works Cited Enchanted Learning. "Harriet Tubman Printout." Harriet Tubman Printout. Enchanted Learning, n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. . "Harriet Ross Tubman." Harriet Tubman Timeline. African American History of Western New York, n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. . "Harriet Tubman Biography." Harriet Tubman Biography. Women in History, n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. . PBS. "Harriet Tubman." Harriet Tubman. PBS, n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. . "Tubman, Harriet." Facts on File. American History Online, n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. .
Today they past the Fugitive Slave Act, I heard about it from one of the slaves I was rescuing from the Underground Railroad. I have realized that I am a fugitive and I have to be more discrete and take the slaves more North into Canada. My name is Harriet Tubman and I am thirty years old. I prefer to be called by my mother’s name Arminta. The Fugitive Slave Act makes it cheaper for slave owners to search for their missing slaves, including me. I have been traveling to the South from Philadelphia to help the others escape bondage. The American Abolition Movement had been born in Philadelphia; I began visiting the offices of the abolitionist Vigilance Committee. I heard of a Maryland woman and her children who were about to be "sold south" sent to work in the terrible conditions of a Deep South rice plantation. I realized that was my sister and I had to rescue her. After my dangerous trip to Baltimore, my sister was in Philadelphia and had freedom; this rescue was one of the first of many for me. I made a total of 15 trips to the South and rescued about 300 slaves. I’ve heard that I made a huge impact on Maryland slaveholders and they’ve offered a 40,000 reward for my capture. Many men and women have been helping me with the Underground Railroad. Some people call me “General” Tubman because they said even though I cannot read or write they said I was a military genius. I’ve been helping the blacks establish themselves in the North. Many of the slaves in the North have no records and will not be sent back to the plantations. I’ve helped many people achieve freedom in America even though it was illegal; every person black or white deserves to have freedom even though the government opposes it. I hope that that all blacks would eventually be freed and that there will be no more slavery. Sincerely, Harriet
Brittany C. Pd.9 Citations
"African Americans in the Military." www.fofweb.com. Facts on File, n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2010. . Henry, Christopher E. "In Pursuit of Freedom: Women, Inventors, and the West." facts on file. facts on file, 2006. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. . Paulson, Timothy J. "The fugitive slave act." http://www.fofweb.com. facts on file, 2006. Web. 23 Mar. 2010. . - - -. "The underground railroad." Facts on File. Facts on file, 2006. Web. 24 Mar. 2010. . Smith, Robert C. "fugitive slave clause in the U.S. Constitution." facts on file. facts on file, n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. .
It is 1850 and I have just established myself here in Philadelphia. “I had crossed the line. I was free; but there was no one to welcome me to the land of freedom. I was a stranger in a strange land”. “ I looked at my hands to see if I was the same person: now I was free. There was such a glory over everything. I felt like I was in heaven.” I have changed my name to Harriet Tubman from my old slave name Araminta Tubman. I want to go back to the south to free my family one group at a time. I am so glad I am no longer a slave. I can’t believe that I wasted my childhood and teenage years without the freedom that I now have. In the past, I’ve worked as a house servant and worked in the fields. It was awful. Last year, I decided to run away. I always say, every great dream begins with a dreamer. I followed the North Star to get to Pennsylvania then to where I am now here in Philadelphia. I will make trips back down to Maryland to save others. I’m going to go to Maryland to save my sister and her two daughters and escort them to freedom on my first trip. On my second trip I will save my brother and whoever is with him. I will continue doing this process of saving others group by group. No person should ever have to go through the pain that any slave has go through. “I grew up like a neglected weed -- ignorant of liberty, having no experience of it.” I am going to stand up for my rights as a black person living in America. I want all people to be treated equally as stated in the amendments of the Declaration of Independence. Why are we treated so badly? We are people too. Our people have been beaten and tortured for years in slavery. It is wrong. Why is America not giving freedom to all? This is supposed to be a country based on equality, but it is not. Someday, I hope that our democracy will truly treat all men equally.
Sources
http://thinkexist.com/quotes/harriet_tubman/ http://womenshistory.about.com/cs/quotes/a/qu_h_tubman.htm http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/h/harriettub135776.html http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p1535.html Who Was In The Civil War By: Stewart Safakis
Jake per.9 part 1 Dear Diary, July 26th 1891 Dorchester County Maryland, I had to survive through much adversity being a black women in the south I became one of the head members of the Abolitionists Movement, and a conductor of the Underground Railroad. I was born to slave parents in Maryland’s Dorchester County in 1820. I started out as a house servant where whenever any of us messed up we would be whipped repeatedly, but my mother always sang songs from her home in Africa, which always lightened the spirits. When I was older I was sent to work in the fields collecting cotton with the harsh east coast sun beating on my back. When I was just a young girl I was trying to protect another field hand from an angry overseer, but that wasn’t the smartest idea because he threw a two pound weight which struck me in the head. I was knocked out for a couple a days and some thought I would never wake up, but the head injury stuck with me for my entire life and I would be knocked unconscious unexpectedly at anytime. When I was a field worker I witnessed and suffered some of the most horrifying and painful actions ever preformed on my fellow African Americans. These actions seemed tyrannical and unequal so I decided to make these problems my life’s journey to fix them. The next chapter in my life I married at 25 to a free black man named John Tubman around 1844, I took his last name and at that time I changed my name to Harriet. In 1849 when my owner died I was stricken with fear that I might be sold to another farm so I though the only logical reason would be is to run away, so I did with some assistance from a local white lady. After I was up north in Philadelphia and free I got several jobs and saved up my money. The next year I returned back to Maryland to free my fellow people from the oppression of our government. I joined something called the Underground Railroad where I would bring people of my color up to the north to give them a chance to thrive like I did. After 19 trips I did not lose one passenger, but on one trip down I did find that my husband remarried which struck me with great surprise and I was filled with anger. That feeling didn’t last for that long though because I had saved the lives of so many people and the nation of blacks that I couldn’t help but be happy. I realize that I am one of the fortunate ones who were given a chance not many blacks were because of how whites killed us with as if it was a contest. So because of this oppression in our country I felt I was obligated to do more so I severed as a spy, a nurse and a cook in the Civil war.
Jake per 9 part 2 All the oppression seems to break all the rules that our country has established with our written documents. Most of the documents that just have been past imply that all men are created equal. If that is so then when the population is counted for each state census why are we only counted as 3/5s of a person that doesn’t sound equal to me. The reason most of these Englishmen came to America is to escape the king’s tyranny, but they seem very hypocritical because the whites are a tyranny of us. Also we are not given the freedom to vote on a leader. So if he is making all of our decisions we should be given the privilege of picking who we want to make those decisions. Also we are not allow to attend church and express our religion. This does not secure our blessing of liberty and with this restraint from god it makes the hope of surviving a little weaker. In this case also America is denying the general well being of an entire race. Not only are we dying from physical abuse our living spaces are so dirty that some of my family would die from various disease from the dirtiness of our living quarters. This is why I am so proactive about the Abolitionist Movement because when America tells the truth I believe that a nation and a culture will be renewed and reborn. - Harriet Tubman Sources: Conrad, Earl. "Harriet Tubman." General Tubman. PWTS multimedia, n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2010. . "Harriet Tubman." PBS. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2010. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/ aia/part4/4p1535.html>. "Harriet Tubman." Women in History. Lakewood Public Lib, n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2010. . "Harriet Tubman Life." Harriet Tubman Biography. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2010. . "The Life of Harriet Tubman." New York History Net. N.p., 20 Feb. 2008. Web. 24 Mar. 2010. .+
December 1849 Seeing more blacks free was the best feeling I can have, being in Philadelphia after helping men and women from the south to the north brings that feeling. But, I never felt accomplished. There is always more people suffering, my job was never finished and I was determined to finish as much as I can. “I kept my eyes on the target, trusting no one but God and my wits. I never took the time to study on what I was doing…I just did what I had to do.” I am fighting for the rights of African Americans. How they should be a citizen of the United States and be treated fairly not a slave or a servant. People treat us cruelly but because we are different? To me they are the different ones and I never treated them like they were a lower class then me. I never had a choice to have different colored skin but I still am a human being, right? The government helps a lot they can stop the unfairness and make everyone equal to one another, which is all I ever wanted since I was brought up as property of Mas’ Brodas. The thing is that even when the equality of our government doesn’t allow slaves there will always be racism in the world. My plan is to stop it as much as I can. Life is just a challenge. It is hard to feel happy and satisfied while living such a horrible life. I will never be completely satisfied because even when the north shall win, people will still fight to go back to what is was before and have slaves and they will still disrespect us. Why did they think they could do this in the first place? Because it wasn’t against the law is no excused. Should not everyone be treated how they want and then that way to one another?
-Harriet Tubman
McKissack, Patricia, Fredrick McKissack Rebels Against Slavery. New York 2006. Print
Reef, Catherine “Tubman, Harriet” Facts on File, 2004, March 25, 2010
Taylor, M.W. “This Heroic Woman” New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 2007 Facts On File, Altman, Susan ”Underground Railroad” New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2000
Taylor, M.W. "'Move or Die!'" New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 2007 African American History Online. Facts On File
March 9, 1913
ReplyDeleteDear Diary,
I’ve come down with an illness more horrible than ever. Even worse than the head injury I received when I was 13. And that led to many bad things going on with me: seizures and many headaches. But this time, I don’t know if God will be able to make me well again. The doctor came to “The Harriet Tubman Home for Indigent and Aged Colored People” yesterday and told me I came down with pneumonia. He said it was very dangerous for someone of my age, 93, to withstand. But even though I think I might be leaving this world in maybe a week or two, I feel accomplished.
I’ve made maybe 15 trips down south to help save about 300 slaves and make them be free from the heartless hands of the slave-holders. Being born into slavery, I could empathize what they were experiencing. But when I finally ran away in 1849, I had headed to Philadelphia and knew how un-barbaric things were in the north. I led through the “Underground Railroad”, simply a passage for slaves to head up north into Auburn or even Canada. Those winter nights guiding my people as “Moses” were long and cold. But I knew that God gave me my power to push farther and farther, changing their lives, multiple at a time.
The Fugitive Slave Law led many slave-holders searching for me to make a good amount so they can only benefit themselves in unkindly ways. I remember a time where there were signs up, looking for me, Harriet Tubman for $40,000. But if only they knew where to look! And between the years 1861 and 1865, you could say I was unstoppable. Being the cook and nurse of the Union Army soon led me to being an armed scout and spy. Pretending to be a slave once more gave me insight on the Confederate positions. During the war, we saw lightning in smaller guns, thunder in the big ones, rain falling from the seeping blood of the wounded, and soon there were the crops noticed as the dead men of the south. And the north won! Slavery was soon abolished and represented as the thirteenth amendment in our nation’s Bill of Rights.
For the longest time, our government has ignored the cries of African Americans. I’ve dealt with many slaves not respected for their freedom and extremely injured. You could see a slave holder busy with their “high-class” life, while another man worked for someone other than himself. It’s surprising how the government had made such a big deal on making the people give say when most of the population can’t even vote for their president. I’ve overcome my struggle with liberty by freeing myself and others to let them live as a real Americans. I knew that was right and currently, I will try to let our government allow anyone, not depending on gender, vote. Everyone has a voice and they should use it. I’m getting tired. I should just relax for now…
Elizabeth G. Period Nine
Citations:
Chang, Ina. A Seperate Battle. New York: Lodestar Books, 1991. Print.
Reef, Catherine. "Tubman, Harriet." African Americans in the Military, A to Z of African Americans. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2004. African-American History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?
ItemID=WE01&iPin=AAM0112&SingleRecord=True (accessed March 23, 2010).
"Harriet Tubman." Encanted Learning. N.p., 2009. Web. 23 Mar. 2010..
"Fugitive Slave Act of 1850." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.,, 21 Mar.
2010. Web. 23 Mar. 2010. .
"Harriet Tubman." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., 22 Mar. 2010. Web. 23
Mar. 2010. .
Claire R. Period 9
ReplyDeleteJanuary 21, 1854
Auburn, New York
Hello, my name is Harriet Tubman. I was born into slavery in Maryland and I started working on plantations when I was five years old. I am now thirty-four years old, and I escaped slavery five years ago. Slavery was terrible and we were treated cruelly. We would get whipped if we did not obey what the white men said. When I was 13, I stood up to a plantation overseer who was about to whip another slave. Then the plantation overseer struck me in the head with a two-pound weight. It has left me with a permanent head injury.
My injury just shows how terrible slavery really is. It is very unfair and should defiantly be stopped. It is unfair that white men get to boss us around and we cannot do anything to stop them except escape. We had to constantly work all day. We did not get paid and did not get the same rights as the white people. White people should be equal to African-Americans because we are both people.
After I escaped, I promised myself I would go back and rescue my friends and family. In total, I have made 19 trips to help around 300 slaves escape. We had many challenges to stay hidden along the way. To make sure we stayed hidden and would not get caught, I hid them during the day and we traveled at night. We usually made the trips during the winter. I used many disguises and I cleverly planned the trips to make sure they would be free. I hope that in the future slavery will be stopped and that some day African-Americans will be equal to white people.
Sources:
Chang, Ina. A Separate Battle: Women and the Civil War. New York City: Lodestar Books, 1991. Print.
“Moses Arrives with Six Passengers.” African-American History Online. Facts on File, n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2010. .
“Tubman, Harriet.” African-American History Online. Facts on File, 2004. Web. 23 Mar. 2010. .
“The Underground Railroad.” African-American History Online. Facts on File, 1994. Web. 24 Mar. 2010. .
September 13th, 1860
ReplyDeleteAuburn, New York
I was making my way to a meeting in Boston, Massachusetts when I came across a fugitive slave who had been captured and I helped her out. I have helped people escape and become free ever since I was 29, when I helped my sister and her two children escape from Maryland. I have made about 19 dangerous trips back and forth between the North and South, and have freed about 300 slaves. I never lost a single passenger along the way.
My life has not always been the best of times. I was born into slavery. At age 5, I had to work in the kitchen and at age 12, I worked in the fields. I would repeatedly get whipped for things I had done wrong. At night, I slept as close as I could to the fire, and sometimes to avoid getting frostbite, I stuck my toes in the ashes. Around that time, I truly understood that blacks were not equal to whites. A couple years later, an overseer threw a two-pound weight at someone, but they missed them and it fractured my skull. I never fully recovered from it and sometimes I would go into deep sleeps because of it.
When I was 23 years old I married a man named John Tubman, a free African American. I took his last name and changed my name from Araminta to Harriet, after my mother. I was scared everyone who worked on the plantation was going to be sold, so I ran away. John did not want to come and he told me he would tell my master if I left, so one night I left him without him knowing. I followed the North Star all the way to Philadelphia and I got a job. A white abolitionist gave me a white slip of paper, which told me the first house that I should go to on my path to freedom. It was then where I started making those journeys back via underground railroads to help people pursue their goals of being free.
I even worked as a nurse, scout, and spy in the civil war, but I still helped free slaves at the time. After the war, I returned to Auburn, New York and I got re-married to Nelson Davis. We built a house together on South Street, and right down the street, I actively participated in supporting Women’s Rights.
-sophia pd. 1-
Sources:
“HARRIET ROSS TUBMAN.” back to The African American History of Western New York. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2010. .
“Harriet Tubman.” Africans in America. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2010. .
“Harriet Tubman.” Enchanted Learning. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2010. .
Langston, Donna. “Tubman, Harriot.” Facts on File. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2010. .
“The Life of Harriet Tubman.” New York History Net. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2010. .
Zeinert, Karen. Those Courageous Women of the Civil War. Brookfield, Connecticut: Millbrook Press, Inc., n.d. Print.
Dear Diary, May 19th 1844
ReplyDeleteToday was the best day I have had in a very long time. John and I finally got married we are madly in love and can’t wait to spend the rest of our life together. He is a slave just like me and the best part is he experiences the same hardship as me. I like to think of us as a team, we will attack things together and help each other through the hard times. I will encourage him to achieve goals that are out of reach and I know he will do the same for me. I finally for once feel that I am equal to the while men. We now have one thing in common and that is, we both have someone we love. I hope all this joy and somewhat equality will last throughout my life. Okay, well I better get some rest now. I will keep you updated on my life.
Love,
Harriet Tubman
Dear Diary, June 21st 1844
It’s been about a month since I have written to you. The weather has been harsh; I have been trying to sleep near the fire so I can keep warm. John and I have talked about our goals for the rest of our life- as disappointing as this may sound we have more differences than I ever imagined. I feel our connection for each other stretching more and more apart. I aspire to make and escape to the north. And live my life to the fullest. But John said he will never travel to the north with me and asked what I was ever thinking of making such a hard long trip. I tried some more convincing, and it just got worse, he said if I ever went missing he would tell our master that I ran away to the north.
It seems as nothing goes my way. Once I find something that our masters and I have in common it takes a wrong turn and now I am back to square one-with nothing in common. I am not treated equally to those white people. Why does this happen? What did I do to deserve such misery? Well I better get going and try to get some sleep.
Goodbye for now.
Sincerely,
Harriet
Dear diary, 1850
It’s been a while since I have last written to you. Much has change since then. John and I have grown apart, we are still together but it isn’t like I used to be. I am thinking about leaving him, but I still need to ponder that decision. Much has changed, but life has also not changed a bit. I have been thinking about the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution- I believe how they have been treating us is unconstitutional and violates our democracy of equality for every men. It confuses me that American men gave these ideas but nothing seems to change. I have been treated the same way since they gave these ideas. Recently I have witnessed two people getting beaten by our master and all I can seem to think about is how this goes for the idea of equality, because we don’t see white males getting beaten nearly to death when they make a mistake. Its gotten so bad my race isn’t even considered a person, equality doesn’t exist for everyone like they said it would. African Americans are the people too and deserve to be treated equally. I believe that every one- no matter the color of their skin or their gender should be treated equally.
I hope the next time I write to you we have just as many opportunities as any one else on the earth.
Love,
Harriet
to be contined...
Belle period 2
continued...
ReplyDeleteBelle Period 2
Dear Diary, 1850
You will never believe what I am going to do tonight- I am running away to Philadelphia. John is going to tell my master, but I don’t care. I am splitting up with him. We don’t have anything in common any more. Well I have to go in search of freedom and equality.
Bye for now
Harriet
Dear Diary, 1850
I made it successfully to Philadelphia. I was transported there in a carriage with a sack over my head so no one would find me! Now I a doing the most nerve wrecking activity I am helping one group of slaves escape just like I did. We are using the Underground Railroad to help sneak out. I am so glad that I can help theses slaves gain equality. I know after the run away goes successfully they can live a happier and more equal life. I have to go help the slaves.
Sincerely
Harriet.
Dear Diary,
Well I am sorry I haven’t written to you lately. A ton of things have happened. In the underground rail road I was named the conductor! I helped so many slaves achieve their life long goal of being treated equal. After me and John broke up I have been thinking about marring again. Well it happed and we are portraying a happy and peaceful life again. I now live in Auburn New York and I notice much difference then Maryland. Now the civil war is happening in fight of our freedom. Now that I realize how miss treated I have been I have a quote that I have been saying. “I’ve grown up like a weed; I grew up like a neglected weed -- ignorant of liberty, having no experience of it.” But now things have changed I live a full life just like most of the African American’s. Equality is a huge aspect of living a happy and peaceful life and I a truly grateful that I get to experience such beauty. Well since this is the last page of my journal, this is my last journal entry. I would like to thank you for always being there for me and for watching me grow as a person. Thanks again for letting me share my experiences with you.
Love always
Harriet Tubman.
Works Cited
ReplyDelete“Harriet Tubman.” PBS. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p1535.html.
“Harriet Tubman Biography.” Harriet Tubman. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. http://www.harriettubman.com/.
“Harriet Tubman Timeline.” The Circle Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2010. http://www.math.buffalo.edu/~sww/0history/hwny-tubman.html.
Masoff, Joy. The African Amercian Story. Waccabuc, New York: n.p., 2007. Print.
URB inc. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2010. http://www.people.ubr.com/political/by-first-name/h/harriet-tubman/harriet-tubman-quotes.aspx.
belle Period 2
Matt
ReplyDelete3/23/10
Period 2 Social Studies
My name is Harriet Tubman, I was born in 1820. I lived mostly in Philadelphia but took a total of 15 trips south and rescued about 300 people from slavery including my relatives. I had such a large economic impact on the slaveholders in Maryland that there was a $40,000 reward for anyone who could capture me. In the 1850’s I started speaking at abolitionist rallies. Then in 1862, I started to get involved in the civil war. Governor John Andrew of Massachusetts gave me papers of introduction that permitted me to help the Union army.
I joined General David Hunter at Beaufort, South Carolina and nursed the many ill and injured black people who were fleeing slavery. In 1863, I posed as a slave behind enemy lines as a spy and learned the strength and location of the Confederate positions. I was a pretty risky person because, “There was one of two things I had a right to, Liberty or death; if I could not have one, I would have the other”. That day I rescued 756 people from slavery. After a While Rescuing slaves became more difficult.
In 1850 the Fugitive slave law was passed so if I got caught, I’d have a six month imprisonment and a $1,000 fine to pay. I moved to West Ontario, Canada, many escaped slaves decided that this be my permanent home. From this base, I assumed various disguises because people were offering rewards for my capture. After the war, I married Nelson Davis and we moved to Auburn, New York. In 1908 I built a house on our property where I cared for the elderly. Now it’s 1912 and I’m getting weak and old I’m not sure how much longer I can do this
http://www.fofweb.com/NuHistory/default.asp?ItemID=WE01&NewItemID=True
Let it Shine written by Andrea Davis Pinkney Gulliver books Harcourt , inc San Diego 2000
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USACWarmyU.htm
http://www.fofweb.com/NuHistory/default.asp?ItemID=WE01&NewItemID=True
http://www.fofweb.com/NuHistory/default.asp?ItemID=WE01&NewItemID=True
http://www.fofweb.com/NuHistory/MainPrintPage.asp?iPin=AFENC194&DataType=AFHC&WinType=Free
1850-The Fugitive Slave Act
ReplyDeleteHarriet Tubman, 1820-1913
At 13, I tried to protect a slave from a whipping by my master.
I was hit by the same master on my head heavily, and was forever affected. This is my cause to free the slaves.
Now 26 years later, in Pennsylvania, I hear of this new law being passed, one that will create more suffering for my people. “The Fugitive Slave Act” is what this accursed thing is called. I cannot allow this to happen, and I will do any means possible if I can prevent this madness.
I have fought with my whole being for the rights of my people. I have gone time and time again into the south to save them. I have served as a nurse for the sickly and injured, and now I must put out more.
“I had reasoned this out in my mind, there was one of two things I had a right to, liberty or death; if I could not have one, I would have the other.” That is what I said long ago; I still believe in those words and hope it will inspire others.
The union is protecting the south, instead of fighting them like they should! They are doing nothing for us slaves. We always had to protect ourselves, to rely on each other. Now they are eliminating every right we earned by ourselves. Why do they cause this suffering: are they that inhumane?
This government needs to see that the slaves should be set free, otherwise what’s the point of keeping us here, far away from our home? They should treat everything and everyone like equals if they truly wish to be “democratic”.
For that matter, there is no equality among the whites. They should have never resorted to slavery; they should have helped each other and everyone. Instead they do the complete opposite! So now, with the few whites on our side, and every African here, we must stand up and fight back!
The south have long treated us as inferior, and they do not sway from that thinking. So now, nothing is in balance, the whites are only deciding what they want. Well, no longer should we endure this outrage!
We must free everyone: we need to make the whites see sense. Yet, I fear that we must resort to violence, if we wish to change their point of view. Already, I am planning on being a spy and scout to stop them along with my other duties. We must show that they can no longer have power over us!
-Edwin Pd.2
Works Cited
Americas.library.gov. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2010.
Fofweb.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2010.
Gates Jr., Henry Louis. African Americans Voices of Triumph. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.
“Harriet Tubman.” About.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2010.
“The Life of Harriet Tubman.” New York History Net. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2010.
Conor
ReplyDeletePer. 2
Hi, my name is Harriet Tubman (I was born Araminta Ross), and I was born in 1820. I started helping during the civil war in 1862, when I was allowed to aid the union army. I served as a nurse for a while for African-American slaves who were ill and malnourished and had fled slavery. I also served as a cook for a while. I also posed as a slave to get information about the confederacy, and with my help, we freed 756 slaves. I was stationed in South Carolina, and I did my best to help those poor slaves. I have had two husbands, John Tubman, who died in 1867; and Nelson Davis, a disabled veteran. Nelson died in 1888, which let me get a widow’s pension of $8.00 a month. That war really changed me; it made me remember all the troubles that African-Americans had to go through during the early 1800’s. It was very dangerous for African-Americans, with the slave trade blowing up all across the South.
I am often called “The Moses of my time.” I don’t think I deserve that much praise. I was just doing what my heart told me to do. It just ripped my heart out to see these poor slaves treated horribly just because of the color of their skin. It’s a horrible thing that’s happened to African-Americans all over the country for many years. My dream is to have all equal rights for my fellow African-Americans. My work was the least that I could do, with all the hate around me. I have been exposed to all of this hatred most of my life. I was born into slavery in Maryland. I have always tried to protect people. When a field hand was being chased, I tried to help. The overseer threw a two-pound weight; it missed and hit me on the head. I never really recovered from that hit.
I believe that I have served a very exciting life. I have been a soldier, a spy, and a nurse. I also aided in the Underground Railroad. I helped free about 300 African-Americans to the North. I’ve also helped my family members escape from the south. After the civil war, I had a peaceful life. The war made me a more helpful and intelligent person. I always wanted to help people, and this war definitely helped me achieve that. I never thought I would be that much of an influence, though. Over all, I believe that I had a moderate role in the Civil War, and I saved hundreds of people from the cruel treatings of slavery.
Works Cited
Bradford, Sarah. “Harriet Tubman.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia, 22 Mar. 2010. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. .
Garret, Thomas. “The life of Harriet Tubman.” New York History Net. New York History Net, 22 Mar. 2010. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. .
PBS. “Harriet Tubman.” PBS. PBS, 22 Mar. 2010. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. .
Reef, Catherine. “Harriet Tubman.” Facts on File. Facts on File, 25 Mar. 2010. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. .
White, Deborah Gray. Let My People Go. New York City: Oxford UP, 1996. Print.
Charlotte
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
Whenever I look back on the time I escaped the plantation seeking freedom, I remember exactly how hard the times were. Zachary Taylor just became the twelfth president, and slavery was still harsh as ever, especially in the south. When word spread that slaves were going to be sold, I fled the area. I could not imagine how I would be treated on a new owner’s plantation. I also could not bear the thought that others would pay for me to work for them, even though it was against my will. It was then that I thought of the plan to escape.
I waited for nightfall to set out on my journey. Whenever I recall this event, I can almost feel the adrenaline pulsing through my veins, feeling the excitement of what I was about to do. A kind Caucasian woman helped me to begin my quest for freedom, which I could have never completed without her. When I finally was out on my own, I walked to the North. The song Bound To Go, a popular song that I sang while I worked on the fields kept me motivated, and used the North Star as my compass. After walked for miles, I finally reached my destination: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Even though I was a free, and I was living in Pennsylvania for a year, I still was not satisfied. I knew that my family was working in the South on the same plantation that I grew up and worked on. I decided to bring them out of the South, so they can experience the feeling of freedom. The first family members I smuggled from the plantation were my sister, and her children. It was so rewarding to see them so thankful, so I decided to bring more of my family and fellow plantation workers to the North. Word spread about me bringing slaves to freedom, and if I were found and captured, there was a $40,000 reward. Although this put me under pressure, it did not stop me from helping others escape. By this time, I had made a total of nineteen trips to the south to help slaves in need. I loved the feeling of helping others, and this was the beginning of something that I wanted to, and still want to, take part in for the remainder of my life.
Works Cited:
African American Biographies. Danbury: Grolier, 2006. Print.
The American Heritage Songbook. N.p.: American Heritage, 1969. Print.
"1849 - What Happened in 1849 ?" Spiritus-temporis.com. Theiapolis.com, n.d.
Web. 24 Mar. 2010. http://www.spiritus-temporis.com/1849/
"Harriet Tubman." Judgment Day. PBS, n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2010.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p1535.html
New York History Net. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2010. http://www.nyhistory.com/
harriettubman/life.htm
Deirdre
ReplyDeletePd. 6
3/24/10
December 29, 1854
Wilmington, Delaware
I, Harriet Tubman, was born into slavery in 1819 in Maryland where I was raised under harsh conditions, including whippings. I even suffer from narcolepsy now from a beating I received as a child. When I married John Tubman, a free African American, I decided to escape to get my freedom before I was sold to the South. At that time I didn’t know yet about the Underground Railroad but I was told about the first house and from there I was put on a wagon and sent to the next destination finally ending up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
After I got my freedom, I came back to Maryland to free my relatives and also freed many slaves and guided runaway slaves to freedom in the North. I helped as many people as I could to be free. Eventually, I became the conductor of the Underground Railroad. This all started out because I met William Still, the Philadelphia Stationmaster on the Underground Railroad. With his assistance and many others, I learned about the workings of the UGRR. I was always in danger of being arrested as part of the UGRR like many of my assistants have been. It was worth it though because I believe that I have helped many people and slaves. Overall, I freed hundreds of slaves trying to escape.
I don’t think that our democratic government established equality among Americans because slavery would not exist then. The Kansas-Nebraska Act even tried to let each new territory determine for themselves if they wanted to allow slavery instead of trying to abolish it outright. I had to free myself and other slaves but the government should have never let it happen or should have freed us. I don’t think that it is fair that I had to free myself before anyone else would stick up for us slaves and free us. Everyone has there own rights as the people and no matter what race we are shouldn’t matter if we have to become a slave or not. Nobody should be a slave regardless of their race. Democracy and our government were set up that all men are created equal, so how could the government let slavery happen instead of protecting everyone’s rights.
Works Cited
American Civil War. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2010. .
Garden of Praise. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2010. .
Harriet Tubman. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2010. .
Harriet Tubman. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2010. .
History on Harriet Tubman. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2010. .
Oona
ReplyDeletePeriod 6. Social Studies
3/24/10
Harriet Tubman
Dear Diary,
I had reasoned this out in my mind; there was only two things I had a right to, liberty or death; if I could not have one, I would have the other; for no man would take me alive: I would fight for my liberty as long as my strength lasted. I remember when I was a slave. It was awful. I was forced to work all the time and never given anything for it. I was finally free when I got to Philadelphia. The year was 1849 and I was finally free. I remember how happy I was. I was free, but something still troubled me..Although so happy to escape from slavery, I couldn’t help but remember all those I left behind. All of my friends, and family members were left behind. I just had to do something to help them. I couldn’t leave all of my friends there to be tortured by slavery. I have had many bad experiences with slavery, like when I was 13 and I got hit in the head with a heavy object. Still to this day I suffer from it. I could not, would never let that happen to a friend of mine. I had to do something.
I had to do something, and I am happy to say that I have helped several slaves escape from slavery. I have made 19 successful trips to Maryland through the under ground railroad started by the Quakers in Gulifort County North Carolina. It wasn’t easy. We had to travel at night to avoid being captured, being aware that any slave caught running away would be beaten horribly, jailed, or sold to yet another awful plantation. It was long and hard, 10 years of going to Maryland and back, making sure each and every slave was kept at a secret station, a safe house where they could be free from slavery. I had to be very careful, a $40,000 reward was offered for my capture by plantation owners. I knew that people were after me, but I had to save the slaves, I wasn’t going to let them stay slaves. Over 300 slaves I have saved, never once losing a passenger, but I still feel there’s more I can do. Still people are not being treated the way they should be.
Still today, African Americans are not being treated the way they deserve! It is now the year 1862, and the Civil War is going on. I strongly believe that Slavery should be abolished! I have been traveling to several southern states to help spy for the Union, as well as working as a nurse for slaves in the north who have been freed. I believe that African Americans should be treated just as well as any person. They are humans too and deserve to be treated as such. The American Government does not do enough to protect the rights of people and abolish slavery. I will fight for this. I will do whatever it takes to stop slavery, and I will never stop until slavery is abolished! Although I don’t get much money for my works in the Union, I feel that the most important thing is putting an end to slavery!,
Harriet Tubman
Works Cited
Duncan, Jason K. “Underground Railroad.” Encyclopedia of American History: Civil War and Reconstruction. 5th ed. 2003. Facts On File History Database. Web. 23 Mar. 2010. .
“Escape!” Underground Railroad Jan. 2005: 6-8. Print.
Lapham, Thea. “Tubman, Harriet.” Encyclopedia of Women and American Politics. 2008 ed. 2008. Facts On File. Web. 23 Mar. 2010. .
Quinn, Megan. “Tubman, Harriet.” Encyclopedia of American History: Civil War and Reconstruction. 5th ed. 2003. Facts On File History Database Search. Web. 23 Mar. 2010. .
“Tubman, Harriet.” American History Online. Facts On File, n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2010. .
David P
ReplyDelete3/24/10
Pd. 9
Harriet Tubman-1849
I can’t believe that my capture is worth 40,000 dollars. It’s hard trying to escape from slavery alone as it is. Then doing it for 300 other people including your family is even more of a challenge. I still can’t believe that I haven’t lost a single person yet. However it makes me feel good rescuing all those people since I have been through it myself ever since I was a baby. It’s ironic that I have saved so many people’s lives and yet not one of them knows who I am. All of these heroic works is making my job at being a nurse and a cook look a lot easier.
I am now walking my family in the underground tunnel from Maryland to Canada. However, I am taking them one by one because they are most important to me and I really don’t want to loose them. It is currently 1849 and I am currently wanted with a reward of $40,000. As a result I better keep a sharp eye and better not get caught. However, I do have a gun at my side just incase I do get caught. Taking my family is a little bit harder of a task since they are so old. I have to stay with them and make sure that they do not get lost. I am hoping that after I successfully save my family, I hope to go back and save my husband.
At times like these it’s hard to cope with the democratic government because everyone isn’t treated equally. Unfortunately not every color of skin or gender is appreciated in America. As a result we all have to fight for our freedom the hard way. We need to do everything secretively and if we get caught it’s off with our heads. Since this government is so unfair, I need to spend my time saving hundreds of people from slaverey and risking my life. In addition, I need to think about the fact that my capture is worth $40,000 and that any false move and I am a goner. I just wish that America was really “the land of the free, home of the brave.”
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harriet_Tubman
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p1535.html
http://www.harriettubman.com/
http://www.nyhistory.com/harriettubman/life.htm
http://www.harriettubmanbiography.com/
Chris D. Period 9
ReplyDeleteSeptember 14, 1856
Raleigh, North Carolina
Hello reader- as I write this, there is great fear in my stomach, as we are returning back to the north for the tenth time. But, none-the-less, this time is very different. We have our largest load yet—over forty slaves. We have many young children with us as well, since most of the single men and women have already escaped by them selves, slipping away in the darkness. Keeping them quiet will be troublesome, but if we can do just that we will be able to get away. We will follow the north star, and stay along the coast. Some of the reasons that I am helping the slaves is that there are many challenges we will have to overcome to become equal. Some of these challenges are the unfairness of slavery, the unfair advantages that the whites have, and the racism that we negroes receive from the whites. By helping the slaves escape to their own freedom and liberty, I am aiding in the fight to overcome these challenges to equality.
Just recently, on August 19, I had entered a small café in Richmond, Virginia, to peacefully sit down with a cup of tea and my book, since I had been traveling for many days before that. I ordered my tea, found a chair, and started reading my book, while minding the time. Not even five minutes later, a group of men had entered, ordered some pastries, and while they were waiting, they asked the mistress at the counter if she had seen me. They also pulled out a piece of paper, which had my picture and offered a forty-thousand dollar reward to the capturer, and showed it to her. After a minute, she replied, and said that she didn’t recognize me. At least she said that she had no recollection of me ever walking in to the place. I don’t know if she tried to help me, or if she didn’t really remember me, but I sunk down a bit in my chair, and let them pass. Then I fled as quickly as possible, and made my way back down to the south, faster than I would ever want to go.
Lastly, before I finish, I would like to address some complaints I have come up with. I would like to complain about the fact that our democratic government does not treat all people with equality. We negroes are hard working fellow Americans, and the fact that the whites of the south are taking us—well basically hostage—and forcing us to their work, while they just sit back and do pleasurable things, like read books and hunt, and for the ladies, knit and bake. The fact that they can just sit down and do nothing except tell us what to do, whip us, and brutally beat us until we have nearly passed on is outrageous. They treat us like rag dolls, but we have to treat each and everyone of them like they are all kings. If someone would revolt, this problem would easily be resolved. I also feel that slavery does not establish justice, as stated in the Constitution, since the whites are getting fair treatment, and we are not, since we bust our backs, but we do not get fair compensations for our work.
--Araminta Harriet Ross Tubman
Works Cited
Enchanted Learning. "Harriet Tubman Printout." Harriet Tubman Printout. Enchanted Learning, n.d.
Web. 25 Mar. 2010. .
"Harriet Ross Tubman." Harriet Tubman Timeline. African American History of Western New York, n.d.
Web. 25 Mar. 2010. .
"Harriet Tubman Biography." Harriet Tubman Biography. Women in History, n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2010.
.
PBS. "Harriet Tubman." Harriet Tubman. PBS, n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. .
"Tubman, Harriet." Facts on File. American History Online, n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2010.
.
Harriet Tubman
ReplyDeleteAugust 28, 1850
Dear Diary,
Today they past the Fugitive Slave Act, I heard about it from one of the slaves I was rescuing from the Underground Railroad. I have realized that I am a fugitive and I have to be more discrete and take the slaves more North into Canada. My name is Harriet Tubman and I am thirty years old. I prefer to be called by my mother’s name Arminta. The Fugitive Slave Act makes it cheaper for slave owners to search for their missing slaves, including me. I have been traveling to the South from Philadelphia to help the others escape bondage.
The American Abolition Movement had been born in Philadelphia; I began visiting the offices of the abolitionist Vigilance Committee. I heard of a Maryland woman and her children who were about to be "sold south" sent to work in the terrible conditions of a Deep South rice plantation. I realized that was my sister and I had to rescue her. After my dangerous trip to Baltimore, my sister was in Philadelphia and had freedom; this rescue was one of the first of many for me. I made a total of 15 trips to the South and rescued about 300 slaves. I’ve heard that I made a huge impact on Maryland slaveholders and they’ve offered a 40,000 reward for my capture.
Many men and women have been helping me with the Underground Railroad. Some people call me “General” Tubman because they said even though I cannot read or write they said I was a military genius. I’ve been helping the blacks establish themselves in the North. Many of the slaves in the North have no records and will not be sent back to the plantations. I’ve helped many people achieve freedom in America even though it was illegal; every person black or white deserves to have freedom even though the government opposes it. I hope that that all blacks would eventually be freed and that there will be no more slavery. Sincerely,
Harriet
Brittany C.
Pd.9
Citations
"African Americans in the Military." www.fofweb.com. Facts on File, n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2010.
.
Henry, Christopher E. "In Pursuit of Freedom: Women, Inventors, and the West." facts on file. facts
on file, 2006. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. .
Paulson, Timothy J. "The fugitive slave act." http://www.fofweb.com. facts on file, 2006. Web. 23
Mar. 2010. .
- - -. "The underground railroad." Facts on File. Facts on file, 2006. Web. 24 Mar. 2010.
.
Smith, Robert C. "fugitive slave clause in the U.S. Constitution." facts on file. facts on file,
n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. .
Matt S.
ReplyDelete3/25/10
Period 9
Dear Diary,
It is 1850 and I have just established myself here in Philadelphia. “I had crossed the line. I was free; but there was no one to welcome me to the land of freedom. I was a stranger in a strange land”. “ I looked at my hands to see if I was the same person: now I was free. There was such a glory over everything. I felt like I was in heaven.” I have changed my name to Harriet Tubman from my old slave name Araminta Tubman. I want to go back to the south to free my family one group at a time. I am so glad I am no longer a slave. I can’t believe that I wasted my childhood and teenage years without the freedom that I now have. In the past, I’ve worked as a house servant and worked in the fields. It was awful.
Last year, I decided to run away. I always say, every great dream begins with a dreamer. I followed the North Star to get to Pennsylvania then to where I am now here in Philadelphia. I will make trips back down to Maryland to save others. I’m going to go to Maryland to save my sister and her two daughters and escort them to freedom on my first trip. On my second trip I will save my brother and whoever is with him. I will continue doing this process of saving others group by group. No person should ever have to go through the pain that any slave has go through. “I grew up like a neglected weed -- ignorant of liberty, having no experience of it.”
I am going to stand up for my rights as a black person living in America. I want all people to be treated equally as stated in the amendments of the Declaration of Independence. Why are we treated so badly? We are people too. Our people have been beaten and tortured for years in slavery. It is wrong. Why is America not giving freedom to all? This is supposed to be a country based on equality, but it is not. Someday, I hope that our democracy will truly treat all men equally.
Sources
http://thinkexist.com/quotes/harriet_tubman/
http://womenshistory.about.com/cs/quotes/a/qu_h_tubman.htm
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/h/harriettub135776.html
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p1535.html
Who Was In The Civil War
By: Stewart Safakis
Jake per.9 part 1 Dear Diary, July 26th 1891 Dorchester County Maryland, I had to survive through much adversity being a black women in the south I became one of the head members of the Abolitionists Movement, and a conductor of the Underground Railroad. I was born to slave parents in Maryland’s Dorchester County in 1820. I started out as a house servant where whenever any of us messed up we would be whipped repeatedly, but my mother always sang songs from her home in Africa, which always lightened the spirits. When I was older I was sent to work in the fields collecting cotton with the harsh east coast sun beating on my back. When I was just a young girl I was trying to protect another field hand from an angry overseer, but that wasn’t the smartest idea because he threw a two pound weight which struck me in the head. I was knocked out for a couple a days and some thought I would never wake up, but the head injury stuck with me for my entire life and I would be knocked unconscious unexpectedly at anytime. When I was a field worker I witnessed and suffered some of the most horrifying and painful actions ever preformed on my fellow African Americans. These actions seemed tyrannical and unequal so I decided to make these problems my life’s journey to fix them. The next chapter in my life I married at 25 to a free black man named John Tubman around 1844, I took his last name and at that time I changed my name to Harriet. In 1849 when my owner died I was stricken with fear that I might be sold to another farm so I though the only logical reason would be is to run away, so I did with some assistance from a local white lady. After I was up north in Philadelphia and free I got several jobs and saved up my money. The next year I returned back to Maryland to free my fellow people from the oppression of our government. I joined something called the Underground Railroad where I would bring people of my color up to the north to give them a chance to thrive like I did. After 19 trips I did not lose one passenger, but on one trip down I did find that my husband remarried which struck me with great surprise and I was filled with anger. That feeling didn’t last for that long though because I had saved the lives of so many people and the nation of blacks that I couldn’t help but be happy. I realize that I am one of the fortunate ones who were given a chance not many blacks were because of how whites killed us with as if it was a contest. So because of this oppression in our country I felt I was obligated to do more so I severed as a spy, a nurse and a cook in the Civil war.
ReplyDeleteJake per 9 part 2
ReplyDeleteAll the oppression seems to break all the rules that our country has established with our written documents. Most of the documents that just have been past imply that all men are created equal. If that is so then when the population is counted for each state census why are we only counted as 3/5s of a person that doesn’t sound equal to me. The reason most of these Englishmen came to America is to escape the king’s tyranny, but they seem very hypocritical because the whites are a tyranny of us. Also we are not given the freedom to vote on a leader. So if he is making all of our decisions we should be given the privilege of picking who we want to make those decisions. Also we are not allow to attend church and express our religion. This does not secure our blessing of liberty and with this restraint from god it makes the hope of surviving a little weaker. In this case also America is denying the general well being of an entire race. Not only are we dying from physical abuse our living spaces are so dirty that some of my family would die from various disease from the dirtiness of our living quarters. This is why I am so proactive about the Abolitionist Movement because when America tells the truth I believe that a nation and a culture will be renewed and reborn. - Harriet Tubman
Sources:
Conrad, Earl. "Harriet Tubman." General Tubman. PWTS multimedia, n.d. Web. 24
Mar. 2010. .
"Harriet Tubman." PBS. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2010. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/
aia/part4/4p1535.html>.
"Harriet Tubman." Women in History. Lakewood Public Lib, n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2010.
.
"Harriet Tubman Life." Harriet Tubman Biography. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2010.
.
"The Life of Harriet Tubman." New York History Net. N.p., 20 Feb. 2008. Web. 24
Mar. 2010. .+
December 1849
ReplyDeleteSeeing more blacks free was the best feeling I can have, being in Philadelphia after helping men and women from the south to the north brings that feeling. But, I never felt accomplished. There is always more people suffering, my job was never finished and I was determined to finish as much as I can. “I kept my eyes on the target, trusting no one but God and my wits. I never took the time to study on what I was doing…I just did what I had to do.”
I am fighting for the rights of African Americans. How they should be a citizen of the United States and be treated fairly not a slave or a servant. People treat us cruelly but because we are different? To me they are the different ones and I never treated them like they were a lower class then me. I never had a choice to have different colored skin but I still am a human being, right? The government helps a lot they can stop the unfairness and make everyone equal to one another, which is all I ever wanted since I was brought up as property of Mas’ Brodas. The thing is that even when the equality of our government doesn’t allow slaves there will always be racism in the world. My plan is to stop it as much as I can.
Life is just a challenge. It is hard to feel happy and satisfied while living such a horrible life. I will never be completely satisfied because even when the north shall win, people will still fight to go back to what is was before and have slaves and they will still disrespect us. Why did they think they could do this in the first place? Because it wasn’t against the law is no excused. Should not everyone be treated how they want and then that way to one another?
-Harriet Tubman
McKissack, Patricia, Fredrick McKissack Rebels Against Slavery. New York 2006. Print
Reef, Catherine “Tubman, Harriet” Facts on File, 2004, March 25, 2010
Taylor, M.W. “This Heroic Woman” New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 2007 Facts On File,
Altman, Susan ”Underground Railroad” New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2000
Taylor, M.W. "'Move or Die!'" New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 2007 African American History Online. Facts On File
Hannah M. Pd 6