I remember learning about Harriet Tubman when I was in 5th grade. I can’t remember if I knew about slavery before reading this particular book we read in class. I just remembering thinking how terrible and awful it would be to be a slave. Working hard all day and not being able to play or go to school. And not having much to eat besides cornbread and some sort of stew. And as a 5th grader I was imaging sweet, fluffy cornbread with honey. As an adult I once made a “johhnycake” only to have my kids refuse to eat it because it was nothing like cake. I can now imagine their cornbread tasted more like this old recipe I tried instead of the cornbread I make for my children.
And as terrible as slavery sounded I remembering thinking I would be too scared to even try to run away. 5th grade me was terrified imagining Harriet leaving her life as a slave. I was in awe of her bravery and determination. And as I continued to read Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad I learned she went back, time and time again, to help others escape. I was so impressed with her. If I had somehow managed to escape I don’t know if I would be brave enough to return to help others.
I remembering thinking I wanted to be more like Harriet Tubman. I wanted to be brave and do what I can to help others. She helped over 300 individuals escape the evil of slavery. It changed their lives and the lives of their children.
It can be hard for children to learn about slavery. Honestly I think slavery is hard to process as an adult. And talking about it can be honestly uncomfortable. But our children need to know. This time period and the history of our country should not be forgotten. We have tried to speak openly to our children about the heartache of slavery. And those conversation relate to our day. And how it’s never okay to treat someone differently because of differences. We talk about how we are friends with children with different colors of skin, different hair colors, and different faiths. No one is less of a person because they aren’t like us.
I loved telling my daughter about Harriet Tubman. How she was so brave. And how she knew in her heart it wasn’t okay for people to treat her different because of the color of their skin. And how Harriet wanted to help others even after she was free. I don’t want my children risking their lives, especially as children. But I want them to know that they should stand up for what is right. And they should stand up for others. I admire Harriet’s faith in God even when many churches at the time justified slavery and hate.
We talk about being kind and that sometimes there are unkind kids at school. We talk about standing up and being loyal to friends, but also to others we might not know. They know that when they do this an unkind kid might turn their attention on them. But that shouldn’t stop them. It might be hard or uncomfortable, but it’s the right thing to do.
Harriet Tubman is a hero. As I have got older I learned about her work as a nurse and a cook, and later as a spy during the civil war. How she lead others to help liberate slaves. Her influence and work is even more impressive being a woman, and especially a black woman. She blessed the lives of so many directly through her actions. And I’m sure she has blessed countless others throughout history with her life and example.
I hope my daughter can be brave and have courage like Harriet. I hope that she can think of others and find ways to help them. And I hope that my daughter can learn that slavery is never okay.
It has been such a fun project recreating pictures from history with my daughter. When we recreated this one we talked about how people didn’t smile back then in photographs. But I’m sure it would make her smile to know young boys and girls are learning about her life and how every person is valued and we are all children of God. Click over to this post to see my daughter as Malala. I share how I was inspired by this post 5 years ago. And please share women YOU admire in the comments below!
You also can be a modern day abolitionist by helping Operation Underground Railroad. O.U.R is an organization helping to save children from human trafficking.
Click over to follow them on social media and find out how you can be a modern day abolitionist.
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