I remember when I first learned about her – I was in the 3rd or 4th grade – I'd checked out a library book about "The Underground Railroad." I remember being utterly gobsmacked for ages that this had been a thing that had happened, and that eventually former slaves weren't even safe in the Northern states. I became especially fascinated by her in particular, as the book went into pretty granular detail for a children's book on her heroism and it stuck with me.
Just went and read the intro to the Wikipedia article about her. I had a vague idea of what she'd done, but my goodness it's amazing to see it summarized. Yet another life that makes mine seem like a relentless search for comfort.
They seem to be on an arc from "How can you replace Jackson?" to "What did she do, anyway?" to "She was a Republican, obviously" and settling on, "Who cares, no big deal, in fact, it's [somehow] insulting to put a slave's picture on US money if you think about it, anyway, really, right?"
Stage 3! I like to point out that she died in 1913, before women could legally vote, so it's bizarre to assign her a political party since neither would have her.
That's a good point to add to add to pointing out that "party of Lincoln" is the political equivalent of ignoring the [Brunhes-Matuyama reversal]. Really, every time they trot out that trick, people yell about its idiocy. Do they just not listen?
Slaves, Freed Slaves and white sympathizers were all through the Delmarva, helping people walk, boat and even swim to freedom in the North. One stop on the Underground Railroad is this old historic farm just down the road. The main house has this huge central fireplace that has recessed chambers on either side, with shelves, for runaways to hide in. There was a trapdoor hidden in the basement leading to a tunnel that came out in the old family graveyard. Tunnel's all collapsed now, of course, and the door in the graveyard was so well hidden you can't find it now.
All these people went to extraordinary lengths – and put it all on the line – for other people's freedom. Let's all not forget that.
At least Tubman has a significant memorial in the park. There was a similar woman in the St. Louis area, Mary Meachum, while she is not as significant a figure as Tubman, her memorial – a rarely-open restroom on a bike trail – is pretty insulting. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Meachum
Andy Jackson, perhaps the most racist Prez, weeps.
|Tribute by Woody|
I remember when I first learned about her – I was in the 3rd or 4th grade – I'd checked out a library book about "The Underground Railroad." I remember being utterly gobsmacked for ages that this had been a thing that had happened, and that eventually former slaves weren't even safe in the Northern states. I became especially fascinated by her in particular, as the book went into pretty granular detail for a children's book on her heroism and it stuck with me.
Just went and read the intro to the Wikipedia article about her. I had a vague idea of what she'd done, but my goodness it's amazing to see it summarized. Yet another life that makes mine seem like a relentless search for comfort.
Going to wear safety glasses every day until the wingnut-head explosions subside for a bit.
They seem to be on an arc from "How can you replace Jackson?" to "What did she do, anyway?" to "She was a Republican, obviously" and settling on, "Who cares, no big deal, in fact, it's [somehow] insulting to put a slave's picture on US money if you think about it, anyway, really, right?"
I'm seeing "pistol-packing, pro-gun Republican" a lot.
Stage 3! I like to point out that she died in 1913, before women could legally vote, so it's bizarre to assign her a political party since neither would have her.
That's a good point to add to add to pointing out that "party of Lincoln" is the political equivalent of ignoring the [Brunhes-Matuyama reversal]. Really, every time they trot out that trick, people yell about its idiocy. Do they just not listen?
They don't care.
Outstanding choice. Harriet was a huge presence on this side of The Bay. In fact, | The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Park | is out here. Local Girl Makes Good.
Slaves, Freed Slaves and white sympathizers were all through the Delmarva, helping people walk, boat and even swim to freedom in the North. One stop on the Underground Railroad is this old historic farm just down the road. The main house has this huge central fireplace that has recessed chambers on either side, with shelves, for runaways to hide in. There was a trapdoor hidden in the basement leading to a tunnel that came out in the old family graveyard. Tunnel's all collapsed now, of course, and the door in the graveyard was so well hidden you can't find it now.
All these people went to extraordinary lengths – and put it all on the line – for other people's freedom. Let's all not forget that.
Braver than most of us could conceive of being.
Probably smarter too since she actually pulled it off. Smarter than I am anyway.
At least Tubman has a significant memorial in the park. There was a similar woman in the St. Louis area, Mary Meachum, while she is not as significant a figure as Tubman, her memorial – a rarely-open restroom on a bike trail – is pretty insulting. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Meachum
I am seriously happy about this. Hurray!
Hey! Now when you go to the ATM and pull out a couple of hundred dollars, you'll get a Stack -o – Tubmans!
Andy's arm's length involvement in Trail of Tears?
"Fillmore!" opens in 2017.
"Springtime for Jackson"
Tyvek.