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Abstract:
My study focuses on internal and external factors that influence Harriet Tubman’s contribution and efforts in helping runaway slaves from south to north. The passage taken to escape from brutality of slavery is widely known as Underground Railroad. By understanding these factors, hopefully it will help me to appreciate and value the sacrifice and struggle from earlier generation that willingly to face all dangerous obstacles in the name of freedom and equality. She had successfully helped 329 runaway slaves during her time. My method of study solely depends on library research that depends largely on books written by many writers about Harriet Tubman.
Introduction:
My early exposure about Harriet Tubman was zero though I already heard about Underground Railroad’s history in my previous multicultural class conducted by Dr. Be Stoney. In fact, I got the rough idea of Underground Railroad as when we went back from Tim Wise’s lecture at Topeka, we cross Abilene town and were shown railroad that had been used to ‘smuggle’ runaway slaves up to the North. Luckily, EDCI 740 gives me better chances to investigate, read and understand contribution by the main pioneer of the Underground Railroad. This gives me chances to ponder upon her works and having the opportunity to learn from their successes and determination. Hopefully the spirit of the particular female freedom fighter will delve into my soul. Seriously, I start to like her as I realize, she brought back the believe that women do play important role when it comes to human right. It does not mean that I undermine other Underground Railroad abolitionists the exist in Connecticut or elsewhere, it is just that Harriet has several significant characteristic and importantly, seing myself as someone that comes from patriarchy culture, Harriet Tubman’s efforts and contribution were slightly remarkable and brilliant that I particularly believe do not have the strength If I were put in her places and condition.
I think it is important to explain the main reason the routes/passages taken by runaway slaves is called Underground Railroad. Schroeder, mentioned that there were no tracks or railroads or undergrounds, it was just that Railroad was used to carry former slaves to Philadelphia and New York so that they easily could cross the border to go to Canada. Blacks that joined the Underground Railroad were not necessarily slaves, some of them were free men but they felt to be in northern part of USA or Canada were necessary because of the prejudices that they receive and the laws were tightly bounded around their necks.( Hansen and McGowan,pg.130)
Harriet Tubman’s Short Biography:
According to Schroeder and Pinkney, Harriet Ross Tubman’s was called Araminta, by her cradle name when she was small. She was called Minty.Her father’s name is Ben Ross and her mother’s is Harriet Rit Green. She belonged to Brodas family that has their own plantation in Maryland. There is no exact date of her birth however it is believed that she was born in 1820. According to Sernett,(pg.15) Harriet Tubman was not born in Brodas ‘farm, in fact, it was in Parsons Creek district of Dorchester County.

It is noted by Schroeder that by the age 29, she made her journey to escape to Philadephia. She was in fact later a self liberated slave. A year later, she returned to Eastern Shore of Maryland in order to help others to get the taste of freedom like what she had. Started from that first rescue journey, she continued to have other missions again. In fact, under critical condition when Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 was endorsed, she multiplied her efforts to save the runaway slaves instead of giving up.
Harriet Tubman got married twice in her lifetimes. First marriage was unsuccessful because upon her return from her journey to Philadeplhia, her husband, John Tubman, a free man already had another woman. Her husband even believed that she would never be free and would turn her in if she insists on running away. Her second marriage was then with Nelson Davis at 1869.
She later on joined the Civil War. According to Sernett, she is famous among the Abolitionists as General Tubman due to her contribution in assisting Union Troop. That year was 1863, a year she went together with Colonel James Montgomery to defeat Confederate Rebels. Not just that, she was also nurses to the Union Troop. During this time, she works hand in hand with a famous abolitionist named James Brown.
Harriet Tubman died in 1913, in Auburn, New York due to pneumonia. She was commemorated full of honors with military tradition on her burial.
Christian’s Influence upon Harriet Tubman:
Harriet Tubman was raised as a Christian. She is well known as Black Moses among her circle of friends. According to Sternett, Harriet Tubman is associated to Moses due to similarity of her journey for runaways slaves. As Moses (please be upon him) brought Children of Israel out of Eqypt for Exodus, American makes similar association to Harriet Tubman because firstly, she himself felt comfortable and self declared herself Black Moses through interview by Rosa Belle Holt( Stenner, pg.42). This is obvious when in the interview, Harriet Tubman said, “I felt like Moses. De Lord tole me to do dis.” I am thinking, there will be no way for a woman to be influenced by her own epiphany of truth to save other people from slavery, and in fact, it shows her deep connection with religion because she understands the sacrifice and effort that she heard about real Moses and reflect and practiced it upon her own race and struggle. Furthermore, according to Sernett, most of Black at that moment were looking for the Promised Land, which is Canada where most of runaways slaves were there to enjoy their life without having any fear. The resemblance of the journey that she brought the runaway slaves to Canada was well associated to the journey of real Moses (please be upon him). According to Fradin(pg.186), Harriet Tubman loved to sing spiritual songs about The Promised Land of Israel but people around her told that it had a double meaning. For Harriet whom was illiterate, it was intended for her as the northern part of United States where she could be freed.
Not just that, Harriet Tubman did have characteristic as Moses because according to Brown, the words that came out from her mouth would take attention of other people to listen with, though they realized Harriet Tubman had no education.
Reading story book written by Weatherford makes me realize as well how much religion influences her because on the night of her first journey to run away from Brodas’ plantation, she was reflected upon the North Star and prayed to God.
Blood is thicker than Water:
Another internal influence that contributes to Harriet Tubman’s struggle and helps for Underground Railroad is her strong family relationship. She did come back to Maryland just for the sake to bring her first husband to the North however was not succeed because John Tubman had another wife already. This did not put her down instead she successfully brought out a group of slaves numbered 4-5 and all of them later enjoyed their freedom at Philadelphia. (Sernett,pg)
In fact, her first mission was to safe her family when she heard that her sisters were going to be sold to other masters. Three of her family members were safely arrived to Philadelphia. According to Fradin, she asked somebody to write to her sister, on instruction about her plan to escape. This put me into realization that slavery is the worst crime towards humanity as it separates family members. According to Fradin( pg.138), usually slave father would be separated from his family. This is unbearable as the same thing will happen to Harriet Tubman’s sister if she did not do something to save her sisters. Harriet Tubman’s first husband though always made fun of her ideas to run away and live free, still came back for him to invite him to go to the North.
Strong Characters and Beliefs:
Harriet Tubman has many excellent strong characters and beliefs. I believe these are major internal influences upon her roles as conductor for Underground Railroad. It was reflected during her sacrifice that resulted to physical permanent damage upon her head when she tried to save a slave that ran away. The metal weight hit her head and later of her age, had to go for brain surgery due to the painful seizures. This was a truly courage because most of her family thought that it probably killed her.
When she was small, she would spend her time in woods to tends to muskrat traps, that later develop the idea that she put the rest of her life to help freeing hundred of slaves. Indeed, spending time in woods really taught her survival skills because Harriet Tubman did tell him that she was planning to run( Schroeder). According to Frandin(pg. 185), her father was a lumberjack that supervised cutting down timber and Harriet Tubman will always help her dad and I believe through this period of time, she got the survival skills in woods through her dad. The skills that she learnt later were useful when she became nurse for Union Troop against rebels by preparing medication against water disentry.
Brodas family perceived her as stubborn because she did not really care and want to work whenever directed by them. If she did, it was terrible job. I do not see this as an act of stubbornness but rather it is a persistency towards cruelty that was happening around her. She later was transferred to work at plantation instead of weaving or houseworks.
Though she was illiterate, her plans and efforts to help other slaves do not really reflect that she was stupid. In fact, it shows that she is intelligent and brave. Usually, whomsoever among the runaways slaves that managed to reach North would not return back to South but in Harriet Tubman’s case, it was totally different. She returned again for her rescue mission. Bounty hunters would never expect this as they would pursue up to the North. She persistently came again and again and no one ever captured when she was the conductor for Underground Railroad. It shows that her plans were carefully organized and conducted. In fact, her total rescue missions were 14 times to the South (Sernett, Appendix 1)
I believe Harriet Tubman has her own vision to spread the emancipation ideas because soon after the Thirteenth Amendment were establish, she told her story and details on the rescue missions as long as her story would be presented to the public. This is the other way make known the effort of her struggle and sacrifice. Also,Harriet Tubman was a good story teller. I believe this is her way to convey the cruelty of slavery to later generation so that it will be always alive by passing it down to generations after her.
External Factors: Allies and Abolitionists.
Allies:
I always believe that men or women around Harriet Tubman worth to be appreciated because without their helps, the 14 rescue missions would not be successful. According to Sernett(pg.31) among the important white family that assisted Tubman by employing her or supported Tubman’s charitable work. In fact, some of them were coming from women’s right movement in order to show to the world the roles that can be played for women. Harriet Tubman became the symbol for courageous and deep faith women. One of them was Martha Coffin Wright. Sarah Bradford, a writer helped Harriet Tubman by made her known to American public through her writings by explaining and associating her with her deep faith in God (pg 132).

Abolitionists:
Harriet Tubman used to help John Brown. According to Clinton,(pg.78), John Brown in his letter to his daughter did mention Harriet Tubman as a woman that has characteristic of a brave man, by specifically mentioning Harriet Tubman as ‘most of man, naturally’ a unique quality that John Brown can think of because of what he believed as an Old Testament patriarch that disagree with denigration of black as slave but accepted women’s second status. In fact, General Tubman was first called by John Brown to her as a sign of honor and respect.(Sernett,pg.77) . Another abolitionist that Harriet Tubman worked with was Frederick Douglass who was a former slave. During Harriet’s rescue mission, Frederick Douglass would provide food and shelter to them. His admiration towards her was obvious when he stated that though he was as well an abolitionist, he would never ever to achieved the status as Harriet Tubman already went.(Sernett,pg. 67)
Conclusion:
I completely agree with Sernett about the idea to make Harriet Tubman as a continuous icon for today’s American society. It is unfair to put her into slave emancipation lens only rather when we reflect upon her true self as an illiterate ex slave black woman, we will realize how big the contribution that she brings not just upon her society but to our society itself. Identifying internal and external factors that contribute to her success is my first step towards replication and reflection into acts.

References:
1. Fradin,D.B . (2000) Bound for the North Star.New York: Clarion Books.
2. Schroedder & Pinkney. (1996) Minty: A Story of Young Harriet Tubman. New York: Dial Books
3. Weatherford & Nelson. (2006) Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom. New York: Hyperian Books
4. Sernett,M.C. (2007) Harriet Tubman: Myth, Memory, and History. Durham, NC: Duke University Press.
5. Hansen & McGowan. (2003) Freedom Roads: Searching for the Underground Railroad. Chicago: Cricket Books.
6. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harriet_Tubman accessed on 6/22/2009
7. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Douglass accessed on 6/22/2009
8. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Brown_(abolitionist) accessed on 6/22/2009
9. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abolitionist accessed on 6/22/2009

Observation:
Watching Black Doll and White Doll is frustrating to me. I was really shocked when most of the kids pick up the white doll instead of black doll. In fact lots of perspectives and reflection can be derived from it. I wish it could be lengthened into a bigger scale by experimenting to other racial populations such as Hispanic and Asian and using different skin colors dolls instead of two. Will the result varied? Yes, it is because it is very contextual but I hope the result will reach to the same conclusion like what I thought.

I wish it happens like that so that I can give a death blow thoughts to those who believe racism does not exist anymore or media /socialization/ surroundings does not relate to child self esteem so that something can be done to rectify this problem.

Feelings:
• Frustrated
• Sad
• Alarmed

Thoughts:
I feel sad because I heard of them answering the question of Kiri Davis by affirming, the black is bad. I feel frustrated because I wish this research will delve further by asking the reasons why the kid says black doll is bad and using larger samples from various populations. As a future teacher I feel alarmed when this video could actually reflect kid’s self esteem.

Learning:
Step One:
I assumed most of the kids will choose the black dolls over white dolls as it is similar to them. I assumed one of the kids won’t say the black doll is a bad doll because it will just reflect herself. I assumed the result will be at least equal because kid nature is just plain and do not have any judgment.

Step Two:
I was wrong in my assumption. Most of the black kids choose white dolls over black dolls. I am thinking I made assumption earlier because I am putting myself to be the kid. If I will prefer to choose the dolls that is similar to me.

I was wrong in my second assumption too. As an adult, I have developed my self esteem and I don’t want to say something that can reflect to myself as bad. Again, I am putting the kid into my own shoes which is wrong. However, this made me thinking on how important for teachers to build up kids’ self esteem.
My third assumption was totally baseless. From this video, I realize kids have their own judgment which I believe resulted from their own socialization. They are not just plain subject. They see their world and notice the differences around them.

Step Three:
After reflecting upon my assumption, I realize that it is my socialization to put someone into my own shoes. My mind mode of thinking would say, if I have a good family, others will have a good family too. I don’t have any financial problem, others don’t have financial problem too. However, I realize later this is bad as It is lack of empathy on my side. It is putting someone else into generalization to myself. This is very selfish. This can lead to Color Blind perspective too as I tend to assume all of people surrounds me is actually the same with myself.

When I was a kid, my mom always tell me that we should be proud of our heritage. I were brought up in Malay’s culture that was very distinct, in term of food, clothes (traditional clothes) and everything. Perhaps I did not go through what the kids face everyday so it was easy for me to make assumptions.

Applications:
Step One:
I learn a lot from this video. I realize though slavery ends, it does not mean that every problem pertaining to racism, prejudice and stereotyping end. It will be continued and our job is to create understanding to go against these tides. I believe salvation can be achieved through this struggle as everybody is God’s creation, we must share the existent of being human and love everybody. Religion of hatred won’t survive and won’t be accepted.

I am thinking as well, it is very important to take care upon our self-esteem. We are what we think. I don’t want to cloud my mind be perceiving or judging myself or others through their skin colors. Is not frustrated to listen to the kid affirms that black doll is bad? The statement is so plain but yet it is so powerful and demeaning to me. It shows like what I stated above, lots of things must be done in today society to rectify back our mistakes so that our future generation will not inherit that.

Step Two:
As a teacher, I want to ensure my kids to feel good about their own selves. I want them to be proud of who they are. Before the video ends, Kiri mentions about anyone can be princess regardless of their skin color. That is so true. It is not my students’ skin but their values and what’s inside them matters to me. That’s why we must not just highlight Abraham Lincoln as hero, in fact, we must know our students culture and recognizing that Pocahontas is a heroine, Eva Peron is a heroine. Mahatma Gandhi is a hero.

Observation:
When listening to Wise, my mind telling me that to silent about racism is an act of denial that racism exists and at the same time agrees with it. It is a filthy act because we pretend that it does not relate to ourselves, so it appears that it is not important. We hope it withers away but actually we are telling ourselves that we deny the fact that human born equal. Though silent is golden but in this particular case of denial on racism, it is a cowardly act.

Feelings:
• Relieve
• Sad
• Lucky

Thoughts:
I feel relieve because the issue of racism is not about White and Black relationship neither Hispanic nor Malay. It is how we perceives and treat others on being human. It reflects on our own perspectives towards others. Wise used the word “WE” in his book so that we will able to reflect. According to him (pg.62), “we stuff the truth deep down in proverbial pockets, in a safe place where we can, if only a while, forget about it.”

I feel sad too because I was racist prior coming here. That is the truth that I must admit because only through admitting our mistakes we can move on. I saw everything in a perspective as an ultra-Malay that was so eccentric.

However, deep down inside my soul, I feel lucky because I am not alone in this struggle. Looking at the audience that attended his lecture put me into a realization on how hard to read or listen to facts and truths that hitting straight to their faces. No one can claim that he is not racist.I experience that while listening to his lecture and reading his books.

Learnings:
Step One:
I assumed it was okay to keep silent about racism as I did not see it happens and it was not my problem. I assumed it was okay for my race to maintain its status quo as ‘bumiputera’ and given special position and rights over my birth status. I assumed other races in Malaysia should respect us as Malay is a sovereign owner of Malaysia.

Step Two:
My assumptions were totally fallacious. It is not okay to keep silent about racism as it denigrates the values of human rights. In fact, racism can lead to other bigger problems such as segregation and prejudice. My religion teaches me to treat human equally, with love and respect regardless of who they are.
It is not okay to feel comfortable and maintain the status quo as “bumiputera” (in English it is called “son/prince of the soil” because it is built upon on the expense of other races. It is not a fair game and in fact, I do believe only few people that in high strata of society really taste/enjoy the fruit of ‘bumiputera’ by easily access to million dollar contracts.

My assumption on respect was baseless too because respect is gained through equality and equity in order to ensure justice. They are born in Malaysia too, so basically Malaysia belongs to every Malaysian, not just Malays as it claims to be.

Step Three:
Listening to Wise lecture again makes me realize on the importance to reflect on whatever he says to my own self and my perceptions towards racism. It is a breath taking moment though sometimes it hits me direct to my face. It hurts but I feel happy as it makes me check my old beliefs and assumptions. Prior to my socialization, I realize these assumptions existed because the way of how I was brought up in a surrounding and community that putting importance on Malay’s superiority upon other races. I was being taught to enjoy my birth status and all the benefits that I can get because I am Malay. It is everywhere as it is deep rooted in the system including field of education as well.

Applications:
Step One:
I can combat racism by talking about it openly and discuss it transparently. It must be made public (with friends or anybody) that any racist jokes or comments will not be tolerated by me. I must tell and avoid myself to make any racist comments or jokes too because according to Noel(2008), it is a sign of fear and dislike towards somebody that is different from myself. I should ask myself back, what is my right to hate others when I myself do not like to be hated because of my differences? Fear and dislike in this context are good ingredients for prejudice that roots from unhealthy ego of us.

Step Two:
This struggle against racism is a long journey. It must be done continuously with proper strategies. I have in mind that I should play my roles by first establishing and finding those who are parallels and have understanding that human is born is born equal. They will be my allies, my friends.
Secondly, I am thinking to put this into work by dividing the works into two levels, macro and micro. Both must go together. Getting a good position in Malaysian Ministry of Education is a must as that will ensure I will be able to put my allies into the office. They are going to be supporters of equal rights. Together they will support the cause against racism. Creating a curriculum that is multicultural friendly is a must in order to put it into practice at schools. These steps are macro.

Continuing propagating that human is born equal , to live without fear and dislike, continuing to be examples and do whatever that I preach are micro steps. Let’s say, the actions at macro level fails, by concentrating on micro level actually can create staunch supporters against racism.

References:
1. Wise, T. (2008). White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son. Brooklyn: Soft Skull Press.

2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bumiputera_(Malaysia) accessed on 6/16/2009

3. Noel,Jana. (2008). Stereotyping,Prejudice and Racism. In Noel, Jana. (2008). Multicultural Education. (pg.61). New York: McGraw Hill.