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Harriet Tubman

by Brynne from San Diego

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world."(Harriet Tubman.) These words which were spoken by the emancipator; Harriet Tubman who was a fugitive slave that later managed to escape from slavery in 1849 and helped others escape as well.  She freed most of the slaves from the south and brought them to the northern United States in 1850.  She was born in a destitute time where African Americans were unequal and was born into slavery; she then later helped with the civil rights movement by leading slaves through the Underground Railroad.  Even after Harriet Tubman escaped from slavery and wanted to leave the south, she still managed to accomplish freeing her family and others from freedom without letting her fear get in her way.  Harriet Tubman was not just known as a person born into slavery; but for bravery, strength, and determination by leading people to freedom through the Underground Railroad.

Harriet Tubman showed a lot of bravery through all of her actions and decisions she made.  Harriet Tubman showed her bravery by deciding that, "Rather than remaining in the safety of the North, Tubman made it her mission to rescue her family and others living in slavery."("Harriet Tubman Biography) Harriet Tubman's courage to escape from slavery and her mission to rescue her family and others from slavery really showed her bravery.  This shows her bravery because knew that she might get caught trying to escape and rescue other slaves, but she still did it.  After Tubman's escape from slavery she showed her real courage because, "After freeing herself from slavery, Harriet Tubman returned to Maryland to rescue other members of her family. In all she is believed to have conducted approximately 300 persons to freedom in the North."(Tubman). This showed that she was brave because even though there were risks, she still traveled back to the south to rescue over 300 slaves.  Tubman shows bravery in her doings and actions of being a risk taker and freeing those in need of help in the north.  Harriet Tubman's actions and decisions of going to free the slaves and her family showed and magnified her bravery.

Harriet Tubman had the unbelievable strength that was necessary to not only escape from slavery, but also to lead others to the same freedom.  Real strength was showed when, "Tubman made use of the network known as the Underground Railroad to travel nearly 90 miles to Philadelphia. She crossed into the free state of Pennsylvania with a feeling of relief and awe. . ." ("Harriet Tubman Biography). Harriet Tubman really showed her strength when she used the underground railroad and traveled nearly 90 miles just to escape from slavery and help others.  By being willing to travel 90 miles just to lead others to freedom showed real strength in Tubman.  Tubman's real strength was showed through slavery when, "She was raised under harsh conditions, and subjected to whippings even as a small child. At the age of 12 she was seriously injured by a blow to the head, inflicted by a white overseer for refusing to assist in tying up a man who had attempted escape."(Tubman) This shows that even with Tubman's past struggles, she still managed to accomplish her goals in life.  This also shows that even with someone that came from the bottom can make a change in society.  Harriet Tubman's struggles through slavery, but still making great accomplishments shows her real strength.

Harriet Tubman showed great determination through everything she did to free the slaves even though there were great risks involved.  Harriet Tubman was very determined when, "Over time, she was able to guide her parents, several siblings and about 60 others to freedom."("Harriet Tubman Biography) Harriet Tubman shows determination when she rescued her whole family and over 60 people to freedom.  She was determined to free many slaves as she possibly could.  Tubman continued to show determination because, "Time and again she made successful visits to Maryland on the Underground Rail Road, and would be absent for weeks at a time, running daily risks while making preparations for herself and her passengers. Great fears were entertained for her safety, but she seemed wholly devoid of personal fear."(Tubman) This shows great determination because even though there was great fear in her mind she just kept going rescuing slaves.  There were great risks of the things that she was doing but Harriet Tubman was determined to accomplish her goal.  Even though there was great fear in Harriet Tubman's mind she continued to show her great determination through it all.

Harriet Tubman used her Bravery, Strength, and Determination and led many people, including her family, through the Underground Railroad.  With Tubman's great accomplishments, Tubman inspires others to follow their dreams and to always remember that that no matter what they always have what it takes to make a change in the world.  Harriet Tubman inspires me due to her willingness to sacrifice herself for others and her family.  Harriet Tubman, the great person to lead slaves through the Underground Railroad to freedom, was a true hero to me and many others.

 

Works Consulted

Harriet Tubman." American Civil War Reference Library. Kevin Hillstrom and Laurie Collier Hillstrom. Ed..

Lawrence W. Baker. Vol. 2: Biographies. Detroit: UXL, 2000. 473-479. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 7 May 2013

HaHarriet Tubman." Contemporary Black Biography. Vol. 9. Detroit: Gale, 1995. Biography In Context. Web. 9  May 2013.

Marszalek, John F., and Marszalek John F. "Harriet Tubman." Great Lives From History:

 

  The Nineteenth Century (2007): 1. Biography Reference Center. Web. 9 May 2013.

 

"Harriet Tubman - Leading Slaves into Freedom." Harriet Tubman - Leading Slaves into Freedom. N.p.,

  n.d. Web. 09 May 2013.

"Harriet Tubman Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 09 May 2013."

The Life of Harriet Tubman - New York History Net." The Life of Harriet Tubman - New York History Net.

  N.p., n.d. Web. 09 May 2013.

"Harriet Tubman." DISCovering Multicultural America: African Americans, Hispanic

Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans. Detroit: Gale, 2003. Student Resources In Context. Web. 10 May 2013.

 

Page created on 5/21/2013 2:01:32 PM

Last edited 4/18/2024 4:50:28 AM

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