Underground Railroad

Below is a book review. I bought the book while touring in Washington, D.C. I could have spent much more time going through more of the museums and sites. What a beautiful place! Underground Railroad by Larry Gara, Brenda Stevenson, and Peter Ripley essay: by Silva Redigonda The central idea of this book is the escape of Black African slaves via the Underground Railroad. The authors provide a history of origin of how the Black Africans were captured from their own land in Africa, their resistance, their torture and finally their escape via the Underground Railroad. The authors use a historical account of events and facts to demonstrate the theme. The story is told "in the context of a free North and a slaveholding South." There are accounts of rescues, underground hidings and tunnels connecting nearby rivers to the stations. This is the Underground Railroad, particular routes where people both Black and White helped slaves escape mostly to Canada. What is considered are the existing laws during this period, the perils of the people captured and those helping them and the obstacles found in the North. What is missing is the emotional void when families are split, due mostly to the factual historical account. What is demonstrated is the means in which slave owners try to retrieve what they consider their property, their logic in trying to justify keeping their slaves and the resistance to the law when freedom is granted. Freedom for the African American is ultimately not what it is believed to be because prejudice still reigns despite changing laws. The text indicates that religion; dance, music and food were vital aspects of the slaves' cultural life. It is interesting that it was the Quakers who opposed slavery, yet there was division regarding the Underground Railroad. Many thought it too extreme. There is an accurate portrayal of the 19th century politics. In 1833, William Lloyd Garrison heads New England Anti-Slavery Society. Britain passes the Emancipation Act freeing slaves and outlawing the slave trade. In the 1830's Committees organize in Northern cities to prevent the return of fugitive slaves to the South. In the 1850's Fugitive Slave law requires escapees to be returned. In 1861 the Civil war begins. In 1863 Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation takes effect abolishing slavery in Confederacy. There is a recruitment of "blacks" as soldiers. In 1865 the Civil War ends in April. Thirteenth amendment to the U.S. Constitution outlaws slavery and Lincoln is assassinated. The authors are persuasive in sustaining the effectiveness of the Underground Railroad. It separates myth from actual accounts. The details from escaped slaves are utilized to project truth. Harriet Tubman (1823-1913) was born into slavery about 1820 in Dorchester County, Maryland. She escaped in 1848 to Philadelphia and returned to Maryland's Eastern Shore area about twenty times, leading more than 300 runaway slaves to freedom. It is unknown exactly how many African Americans made the journey on the Underground Railway. Runaways are estimated at about 100,000 prior to the Civil War. Most fugitive slaves were illiterate and left few records. Slavery was outlawed in Canada in 1834 and officials refused U.S. requests for the return of slaves. That did not prevent men from entering Canada in attempts to retrieve runaway slaves. By the end of the Civil war the majority of Black Africans, at least 20,000 headed for Canada. The provision of numbered accounts, dates, and stories of individual slaves throughout the text permits the reader to understand the period of the 19th century as it pertains in this context. The authors do not impose opinions or judgement. It is strictly a historical account. What is missing is the emotion of the story. It is a text full of dates and accounts of various locations. Yes people are telling their stories but the emotion is too controlled. This book is interesting. Though the book is a historical account it does provoke emotions from the photographs of slaves in captivity. There is one photograph of a captured slave in shackles, covered by a net. This man is captured in Africa and the brass he wears tells us that he is an African King. This man sits looking at the camera proudly with scorn and contempt. Trapped as an animal, this man is the heroic one. This image is the story. This is a story that should be taught in schools. Students of all ages should be aware of how easily equality is dismissed. It teaches the abuse of power for personal gain. It makes us ashamed of what we do, what we are capable of, and what we don't do to stop injustice.