Children of Liberty (1): Harriet Tubman_The Conductor of the Underground Railroad
Sylvanus Maria Mgbechukwu, Researcher, Poet, Author, Activist, Administrator and Writer, is the founder of Direction Arena and BestAdviceForAll.Com, a forum and platform dedicated and committed to Truth and Rectitude, where people could find Illumination, Direction, Sound Advice,
Guidance, Inspiration, Tips, Assistance, Support Or Help, to guide them in this “modern” world that have become a dark jungle and forest of dangerous ideologies, philosophies, ideas, learning, lies, propaganda and miseducation that ruin people due to lack of direction, guidance or enlightenment.
Harriet Tubman, born Araminta Ross in the early 1820s, is one of the most iconic figures in American history. Known for her extraordinary courage and unyielding commitment to justice, Tubman played a pivotal role in the fight against slavery by helping hundreds of enslaved people escape to freedom via the Underground Railroad. Her life is a testament to the power of resilience, compassion, and the relentless pursuit of liberty.
Early Life and Enslavement
Harriet Tubman was born into slavery in Dorchester County, Maryland. Her exact birthdate is uncertain, but it is believed to be around 1822. Tubman faced brutal conditions from an early age, enduring physical violence and the constant threat of being sold away from her family. Despite the oppressive environment, she exhibited remarkable fortitude and an early sense of justice.
One of the defining moments of her early life occurred when she was struck in the head by a heavy metal weight, thrown by an overseer at another slave. The injury caused severe headaches and narcoleptic episodes, but Tubman later claimed to have vivid dreams and visions that she interpreted as divine guidance.
Escape to Freedom
In 1849, Tubman escaped from slavery, making her way to Philadelphia via the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses established by abolitionists. The journey was perilous, but Tubman’s determination saw her through. Upon reaching freedom, she could have settled into a new life, but her thoughts remained with those she left behind.
The Underground Railroad
Tubman soon became a “conductor” on the Underground Railroad, returning to the South multiple times to guide enslaved people to freedom. Over a decade, she led approximately 70 enslaved people to the North and provided instructions to dozens more. Tubman utilized her knowledge of the landscape and the covert network of abolitionists, developing ingenious strategies to evade capture.
Her missions were fraught with danger; a bounty was placed on her head, and she risked death if caught. Despite this, Tubman never lost a single person in her care. Her success earned her the nickname “Moses,” a reference to the biblical figure who led his people out of bondage.
The Civil War
With the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, Tubman saw an opportunity to further the cause of freedom. She served the Union Army in various capacities, including as a nurse, cook, and scout. Tubman’s most notable contribution was her work as a spy and guide for Union troops in South Carolina. In 1863, she led a successful raid on the Combahee River, which resulted in the liberation of over 700 enslaved people. This operation made her one of the first women to lead an armed expedition in the war.
Later Life and Legacy
After the war, Tubman settled in Auburn, New York, where she continued her advocacy for African American rights, women’s suffrage, and the welfare of the poor. Despite her significant contributions, she struggled financially and was denied a regular military pension until the very end of her life. Nevertheless, her home became a sanctuary for those in need, reflecting her enduring commitment to helping others.
Harriet Tubman died on March 10, 1913, at the age of approximately 91. Her legacy has been immortalized in various forms, including biographies, documentaries, and a planned appearance on the U.S. $20 bill. Tubman’s life story serves as an enduring symbol of courage, resilience, and the fight for justice.
Harriet Tubman’s incredible journey from enslaved person to national hero underscores the impact one individual can have in the face of overwhelming adversity. Her unwavering dedication to freedom and equality continues to inspire generations. Tubman’s life and legacy remind us of the power of the human spirit and the importance of standing up against injustice. Her contributions to the abolition of slavery and the broader fight for human rights mark her as one of the most significant figures in American history.
My Understanding And Position
Life on earth is a battle between good and evil. A mortal combat where the forces of evil seeks to seize humans prisoners _by their ideologies, policies, philosophies, plots and schemes, _and drag them into their repulsive, loathsome dungeon where they were accursed, because of their evil propensity and preferences, to be fed on by the torments of darkness, unquenchable fire and worms that die not.(cf: Mark 9:48 )
God is good. And God is just. He will certainly deal with the devil and his followers as He fore-warned in the Holy Scriptures. This is part of Jesus’ teaching about the consequences of sin and the reality of hell.
In view of the dangers and perils posed to earthlings by the forces and agents of evil, we must learn to sacrifice everything, even our lives _if it comes to that, to save as much people as possible from their enchanted snares and trappings.
We must be bold, brave and daring to warn people that our sworn enemies _ the forces and agents of evil, package and present their enchanted snares and traps as the various philosophies,
ideologies, “findings”, polices, religions, beliefs, ideas, plots and schemes, whose ends, whether motivated by power, ideology, or personal gain, are to bring about suffering, deaths, destruction, controversy and eventual perdition.
It is heartwarming and commendable that many wise and discerning men and women have fought a good fight for humanity, salvaging as many people as they could from the deceptions, manipulations, chains and shackles of the forces and agents of evil.
However, it is quite distressing and regrettable that many others, who didn’t really understand life, and having consequently reduced it to a mere acquisition of wealth, power and position, used them to lure and ensnare people to their eventual perdition through the ideas, ideologies, policies, plots and schemes they espouse and pursue.
Their legacies serve as reminders of the impact that power, ideology, and personal ambition can have on the world, highlighting the importance of vigilance and accountability in leadership.
