Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman after she escaped. (http://www.teachervision.fen.com/african-americans/slavery-us/4639.html (www.TeacherVision.com))

Harriet Tubman was born a slave, worked as a slave, and finally, escaped. Harriet Tubman is a hero in many, many ways, but the one most important reason is she believed in her rights and did whatever she could to protect them from getting thrown away. Even if it meant committing a crime, Harriet knew she could escape slavery and that many others could too. Harriet Tubman was a day dreamer; that was how she thought of the Underground Railroad. To some people that was bad, to some people that was a gift, but to me I think that made Harriet Tubman a hero.

Harriet's life as a child was heartbreaking. She was born in the 1820's. She was born on Maryland's eastern shore and worked on Maryland farms. Her real name was Araminta Ross. Her father was the one who taught her knowledge about the outdoors. She came to be known as her mother's name, Harriet. Until she was about twelve, Harriet was a cotton picker. Her fingers would bleed as she would pick cotton from six in the morning to eight at night. As a Child, she would daydream constantly. When she would daydream it would distract from her work so her master would whip her. In fact, once her master fractured her skull with a metal weight when he was throwing it at another slave. Her injury was painful, and because of it she suffered numerous blackouts. Later, when she was eighteen, she married John Tubman in 1844.

Harriet had many challenges along the way of escaping slavery. Harriet was the first to escape slavery, in 1849. Though she escaped, she definitely had problems along the way. The Underground Railroad was the "pathway" to freedom, meaning the slaves would hide in the day and go from house to house getting fed and provided shelter by non-slave believers at night. It was a challenge for Harriet because she had to make the slaves obey. In fact she threatened to shoot them if they did not listen to her. She did that because the Underground Railroad was a serious crime. If the guards heard Harriet and the group of slaves that were trying to escape, they would kill all of them. Another problem Harriet had was passing along the message of the Underground Railroad. Finally, after lots of thinking she found the idea of singing. Music was a way for slaves to get through the day. No matter how bad their life was, singing made them feel better. She made up songs that would transfer the message that the Underground Railroad was on its way to freedom but wouldn't make it obvious that the slaves were escaping. For example, the song "Glory Bound" was a song that the slaves sang to pass along the message. The last big problem she had was traveling by foot. She couldn't make any noise, and there was no way of transportation. She was all alone, with no food or water, but still she escaped slavery.

Harriet had many challenges along the way of escaping slavery. Harriet was the first to escape slavery, in 1849. Though she escaped, she definitely had problems along the way. The Underground Railroad was the "pathway" to freedom, meaning the slaves would hide in the day and go from house to house getting fed and provided shelter by non-slave believers at night. It was a challenge for Harriet because she had to make the slaves obey. In fact she threatened to shoot them if they did not listen to her. She did that because the Underground Railroad was a serious crime. If the guards heard Harriet and the group of slaves that were trying to escape, they would kill all of them. Another problem Harriet had was passing along the message of the Underground Railroad. Finally, after lots of thinking she found the idea of singing. Music was a way for slaves to get through the day. No matter how bad their life was, singing made them feel better. She made up songs that would transfer the message that the Underground Railroad was on its way to freedom but wouldn't make it obvious that the slaves were escaping. For example, the song "Glory Bound" was a song that the slaves sang to pass along the message. The last big problem she had was traveling by foot. She couldn't make any noise, and there was no way of transportation. She was all alone, with no food or water, but still she escaped slavery.

Why Harriet Tubman is known is clearly not a secret. The real reason why she is known is she saved people's lives. In fact, Harriet didn't save just her family. She saved complete strangers, 300 of them actually. At the time, I am sure when Harriet was a child she would had never even thought about so many people's happiness. However she accomplished it. Her courageous actions were mostly recognized during the Civil War, in Auburn. That is where her plaque of honor is located. The plaque represents her work of saving slaves. There was also a stamp in her honor. The U.S. postal service was in charge of that. Harriet Tubman knew that she had a wanted poster in her name, multiple actually. Her reward kept growing and growing though she never got caught. Until Harriet's reward reached its maximum she didn't get nervous. This was a really big deal, so of course she knew her actions would be recognized. As you can see, Harriet had many awards.

Harriet Tubman had many character traits. One of them is toughness. Harriet had to stay strong while she protected 300 slaves and herself. No food or water to bring with her. They started with nothing at all. At the time no one could ever think of doing such a thing (escaping slavery). Now no one could think of such a thing (slavery). But it was all worth it in the end. They all escaped slavery. She also stayed strong when she was discriminated against by white people. It was hard to listen to people talk about you in such a horrible way. And that was all because of your skin color. It made no sense to Harriet, but still she knew she would get out of it somehow, and she did. Another trait she is sly. She snuck past all those guards traveling from to state. I wish Harriet didn't have such a challenge, but if she wanted to escape that is what she had to do. She had to be really sneaky. Her last trait is bravery. Harriet risked her life for many slaves to save their lives from slavery. She took a chance and gambled. She put her life on the line, but still however she escaped. That was very brave of her. The thing that was bravest is she ran away from home really. Even though home was a horrible place, she still missed her good friends who refused to try to escape. She returned to the south nineteen times to save the people who were close to her. Clearly, Harriet has many wonderful traits.

All in all, Harriet Tubman is a truly amazing woman. Harriet once said "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." I think the message Harriet is trying to send is that no matter what if you can dream, you can receive. It may make no sense but always dream and live in the moment because you only have so much life to live, so live it to the fullest.