The big job today involved moving 4-6 inches of snow that fell yesterday. Happily, the snow was light and fluffy, so much easier to move than that of the past two storms. Inside cleaning tasks were done with time out for a movie. The one chosen today was Harriet, a biography of abolitionist Harriet Tubman. After running to freedom in Philadelphia, this woman acted as a conductor in the Underground Railroad, which involved leading slaves directly from the fields. She conducted many trips back into the South to free family, friends and others - all with a price on her head as a 'runaway slave' and as a conductor. When Congress passed a law allowing former slaves to be hunted and captured in the North, Tubman escaped to Canada, then helped others to cross into the country. During the Civil War, Tubman served as a spy for the Union Army. She led an armed all black unit to rescue hundreds of slaves.
The movie provided a face for the Underground Railroad, travelers on which settled in the area I currently live. Tubman's story is fascinating and intersects with many other major abolitionists of her time in both the US and Canada. This movie led me to read more online and I will look for a book or two on the subject. The movie also showed the role music played in the Railroad, communicating information about where, when, and how to travel to freedom. The name given Tubman in wanted posters was Moses, since it was assumed that an unknown man was responsible for leading slaves to freedom in the Northern states or Canada. She sang instructions to those fleeing and some songs used the name Moses. I've read about this musical history in the past, and the movie did a nice job of highlighting it.
The song that played over the credits is a more recent song about such journeys. The lyrics outline the emotions of making such a trip to freedom. Stay safe. Enjoy!
Stand Up - Cynthia Erivo
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