Harriet Tubman: "The Black Moses"

Today is Harriet Tubman day in the USA and to celebrate, we are going to tell you all about this stunning woman.

Harriet Tubman was born Araminta "Minty" Ross to slave parents and as with many slaves in the USA, her exact date of birth wasn't recorded and estimates of the year of her birth are between 1820-25. Her maternal grandmother arrived on a slave ship to the US from Africa, but no other information about her ancestors is known. She was the fifth born of nine children.

Her mother, Harriet or "Rit", struggled to keep the family together as slavery tore it apart. Her owner Edward Brodess sold three of her daughters, separating them from the family forever. When a trader tried to buy her son Moses, she hid him for a month, aided by other slaves and free blacks in the community.When Brodess and the potential buyer finally came to seize the child, Rit told them "You are after my son; but the first man that comes into my house, I will split his head open." The sale was then abandoned. Tubman's biographers agree that this event influenced her belief in the possibilities of resistance.

As a child Harriet took care of her younger brother and a baby. At 5 or 6 she was hired as a nursemaid to watch a sleeping baby and when the baby woke and cried, Tubman was whipped. Later, to protect herself from the abuse she wrapped herself in layers of clothing but cried out as if she wasn't protected. Another time she bit a man's knee while receiving punishment; afterwards he kept his distance. She also worked for a planter and was ordered into nearby marshes to check the muskrat traps. Even after contracting measles she was sent into waist-high cold water. She became very ill and was sent back gone, to be nursed back to health by her mother. As she grew older she was assigned to gruelling field and forest work. One day as a teenager she was struck on the head by a 2 pound weight which was aimed at a different slave. She was sent back to her owners house and left without medical care for 2 days and then sent back to the fields. Her boss said she wasn't "worth a sixpence" and returned her to Brodess who tried unsuccessfully to sell her. She began having disabling seizures, headaches, powerful visionary and dream activity and spells of hypersomnia which occurred throughout her entire life. A devout Christian, she ascribed her visions and vivid dreams to premonitions from God.

In or around 1844 she married a free black man named John Tubman. Their union was complicated due to her slave status. The mother's status dictated that of the children so any children born to Harriet and John would be enslaved. Tubman changed her name from Araminta to Harriet soon after her marriage though the exact timing is unclear.

In 1849 Tubman became ill again and her value as a slave diminished as a result. Brodess tried to sell her but couldn't find a buyer. Tubman began to pray that her owner would change his ways and stop trying to sell her. When it appeared as if the sale was being finalised, she changed her prayers, instead praying for God to kill him. Brodess died a week later and Tubman expressed regret for her earlier sentiments. Brodess' widow began selling the family slaves but Tubman refused to wait for the Brodess family to decide her fate. Tubman and her brothers Ben and Henry escaped from slavery on September 17 1849. Tubman was hired out to Dr. Anthony Thompson and it is likely her brothers labored for Thompson too. Two weeks later, Brodess' widow posted a runaway notice offering a reward for the return of her slaves. Tubman's brothers succumbed to second thoughts, fearful of the dangers ahead, and went back, forcing Tubman to return with them. Soon afterwards Tubman escaped again, this time without her brothers. Tubman made use of the extensive network known as the Underground Railroad. This nformal but well-organised system was composed of free and enslaved blacks, white abolitionists and other activists.

In 1850 Tubman received warning that her niece and her niece's two children were going to be sold. Horrified at the prospect of having her family broken up even more, Tubman returned to the land of her enslavement. Tubman's niece and children escaped and Tubman brought the family safely to Philadelphia. The following spring she went back to Maryland to help guide away other family members. This time she brought back her brother Moses and two other unidentified men. As she led more and more individuals out of slavery, she became popularly known as "Moses" - an allusion to the prophet in the Book of Exodus who led the Hebrews to freedom. In the fall of 1851 Tubman returned to Dorchester County to find her husband. While she had been gone, John had married another woman named Caroline and Tubman sent word that he should join her but he said he was happy where he was. Suppressing her anger, Tubman found some slave who wanted to escape and led them to Philadelphia. In December 1851 Tubman guided a group of 11 fugitives northward to Canada. For eleven years Tubman returned to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, rescuing some seventy slaves in 13 expeditions including her 3 other brothers, their wives and some of their children. She also provided specific instructions for about 50 to 60 other fugitives who escaped to the north. Slaveholders in the region never knew that "Minty" was behind the slave escapes. They began to suspect a northern white abolitionist was secretly enticing their slaves away. Despite the best efforts of the slaveholders, Tubman was never captured and neither were the fugitives she guided. One of her last missions into Maryland was to retrieve her aging parents. She travelled to the Eastern Shore and led them north to Canada.

When the American Civil War broke out in 1861, Tubman saw a Union victory as a key step toward the abolition of slavery. Tubman hoped to offer her own expertise and skills to the Union cause and soon she joined a group of abolitionists. Tubman served as a nurse in Port Royal, preparing remedies from local plants and aiding soldiers suffering from dysentery. She rendered assistance to men with smallpox. When Lincoln finally put the Emancipation Proclamation into effect Tubman considered it an important step toward the goal of liberating all black people from slavery. She renewed her support for a defeat of the Confederacy and soon she was leading a band of scouts through the land around Port Royal. She later provided Colonel James Montgomery with key intelligence which aided the capture of Jacksonville, Florida. Later that year Tubman became the first woman to lead an armed assault during the Civil War, a raid which rescued more than seven hundred slaves. For 2 more years Tubman worked for the Union forces scouting into Confederate territory and nursing wounded soldiers in Virginia. Despite her years of service, she had never received a regular salary and was for years denied compensation. She didn't receive a pension for her service until 1899. Her constant humanitarian work for her family and former slaves kept her in a state of constant poverty.

Tubman spent her remaining years in Auburn and married a Civil War veteran called Nelson Davis, who was 22 years younger. They spent the next 20 years together and in 1874 they adopted a baby girl named Gertie.

Tubman worked in her later years to promote the cause of women's suffrage. Tubman travelled to New York, Boston and Washington D.C to speak out in favour of women's voting rights. She was the keynote speaker at the first meeting of the National Federation of Afro-American Women.

At the turn of the century Tubman became heavily involved with the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Auburn. In 1903 she donated a parcel of real estate to the church under the instruction that it be made into a home for "aged and indigent colored people". It was named the Harriet Tubman Home for the Aged and opened on June 23, 1908. By 1911 her body was so frail that she had to be admitted to the rest home. Surrounded by friends and family members, Harriet Tubman died of pneumonia on March 10, 1913. Just before she died, she told those in the room "I go to prepare a place for you".

This information is taken from the Wikipedia page on Harriet Tubman. To read the entire page on her life, click here.

Below is a youtube video of an edited documentary on Harriet Tubman.

Tower Block of Commons: Episode 4

In the final programme, the MPs try to complete the challenges they set themselves and looks at what they do after they have gone back to their regular lives.

Conservative MP Tim Loughton has set up a football tournament for the local youths against the police that he hopes to make a permanent event in the area, to give the youths something to do other than join gangs. Despite many young people from the area attending, only 2 police officers turn up. Extremely frustrated, Tim and the youths have the game without them. Before leaving, Tim bought his host Natina a toilet seat and attached it. Natina said "to me, he seemed like he was being himself" and Natina's mother said "if he was the MP for our constituency, I would vote for him".

Liberal Democrat MP Mark Oaten continues to get a date for when the tower blocks will be demolished. He manages to arrange a meeting with the head of housing from the council to discuss when the tower blocks could be demolished. Unfortunately, the council cannot afford to knock down the blocks because they have to pay £20 million to central government to pay off other council's debts. The council are organising a march to radically change the system and they invited the residents to join them. They also go to hand in their petition about the tower blocks to the local council. When Mark Oaten -prepares to leave, all of his hosts and the other residents on the tower blocks thank him for all that he had done that week. Mark became quite emotional, saying that "you spend a lot of time in this job being disliked as an MP" and it's nice hearing that you've helped them and how nice you are.

Conservative MP Nadine Dorries spends her final night with a new host, 20 year old Jonathan: "I'm too big a fan of the conservatives. They think poor people are poor just because they are lazy. Jonathan lives with 4 other room mates in the 3 bedroom flat and they have no electricity. Using a network of extension wires, they get electricity from the plugs in the hallways outside: "we are currently stealing off the council". Jonathan was expelled from a prestigious local comprehensive 4 years ago, has no qualifications and is unemployed. He admits to Nadine that he is unable to hold down a job because of constant late mornings due to an addiction to weed. Nadine tries to get Jon clean and give his life a purpose. She asks him his ambitions and he tells her that he wants to be a liaison officer between youth and government, because he feels there's too big a gap at the moment. Nadine however questions him for aiming so low and asks why he has to be a middle man, why can't he become an actual councillor. Jon, believing you had to have a degree to go into politics, was surprised to hear from Nadine that you don't at all and that she herself doesn't have a degree. Nadine also talks to Jon about his view of the conservative party and their leader David Cameron. He talks about how David Cameron reminds him of the rich conservative students at his old comprehensive school that made his life "hell" and the characteristics like his "smirk" and the way he talked and moved. Jon became very emotional talking about how the kids had looked down on him and treated him horribly because he wasn't rich like them. When Nadine left, Jon said that "she has lit the way a little bit and I can now make out the next stepping stones".

Labour MP Austin Mitchell is trying to get a youth centre reopened. He got it onto the local news and radio. Lindsay said "he did pull some strings and did things we couldn't have done but he could of done more". Talking of leaving the tower blocks, Mitchell said "to tell you the truth I'd rather stay here and not go back to London. It's so removed from all the stupidities of politics".

On leaving the tower blocks, all of the politicians say that they will never take anything for granted again. Two weeks later, Tim Loughton invites ex gang member Jason from Youth Disciples to talk at a conservative conference about gang violence. Mark Oaten called Sloane to catch up on the action groups progress. He is anxious that they haven't met since he left and haven't got a date for a new meeting. Nadine takes Jon to visit the Houses of Parliament and gives him a surprise visit from David Cameron to show him that his impressions based on the kids he used to know aren't correct. When David asks Jon what he thinks about politics, he said "a bit of everything. I enjoy it, I despise it. I think its fun, I think its dangerous. There's just so many things wrapped up in it. But I think its so important because what comes from politics affects everything." Austin returned to his estate to find out that the youth centre is still closed and that they are waiting for funding bids to come back. Mitchell's wife said "it doesn't seem we've achieved anything".

Two months later, Mark goes back to the estate to meet Candy and finds out that Mark and Alan and Sloane have been moved into council houses while Candy's flat flooded again. The action plan has so come to a halt, having all been left to Candy. He manages to organise the residents Cathy and Candy to come along to their local councils rally to change the system at 10 Downing Street.

In January 2010, Oaten also spoke to government housing minister about the situation, who said that he will soon announce plans to dismantle the current system but no set date has been made. Oaten doesn't think that he has made a difference. Tim Loughton secured funding to ensure the youth can play regular football. The local police finally agreed to a game and the score was Tim's team 4 - 10 local police. Nadine has sent Jon to rehab for his weed addiction and he is considering becoming a local councillor. Austin Mitchell said "I was more of an observer and I should have done more with the agitating and campaigning...too late”.

Read about episode 1 here

Read about episode 2 here

Read about episode 3 here

Do you think the politicians have made a difference? Do you think that they learnt anything from the experience? Leave us a comment and let us know!

Tower Block of Commons: Episode 2

This episode gives the MP's the experience of bringing up children in council housing on state benefits and so they all went to live with different families. Jobseekers allowance is £64.30 a week and after paying for rent and household bills, the MPs expenses must be no more than £5 a day. While Liberal Democrat MP Mark Oaten and Conservative MP Tim Loughton comment on how difficult it will be and how tight they will have to be, Labour MP Austin Mitchell dismisses it saying "I'm not making any attempt to live on that, I think that's silly."

In episode 1, Iain Duncan Smith is replaced (because he found out his wife had cancer) by conservative MP Nadine Dorries, who did live in a council estate until she was 25 but believes things will be "very different" now. She is staying on a South Acton estate with single mums Neesha and Reena and their 8 children. The mums have very strong opinions about politicians: "I hate them because they don't do f*** all for people like me" and "you gotta be a good liar to be a politician". Austin is staying with unemployed Dave, his wife and their 3 children. Dave found Austins refusal to live on benefits for the week "disappointing" saying "anyone could do that".Mark Oaten will be staying with Sloane, her husband Mark, their 5 children and 3 cats. Tim Loughton is staying with Dean and Sarah and their 2 children who live in a 1 bedroom council house, with Dean and Sarah sleeping on the couch.

Oaten goes food shopping with his host Sloane and the family on a £150 budget. He manages to only spend £104 but is then disgusted when Sloane spends the £42 leftover on cigarettes. These vices show up in all of the different families: Dave loves to gamble on the horses and Dean is addicted to cannabis. It seems the episode is questioning the priorities of the families who are claiming to have no money. The MPs are certainly are. Oaten voices his disappointment over the cigarettes with Sloane but he is soon quietened when she looks at his MP expenses online and discovers that the taxpayer paid £116 for two irons for him. She then compared Oaten to Jekyll and Hyde, saying "you're a sweet guy and then I read all this stuff and it's like oh my God I've been lied to". Loughton has a heart to heart with Dean about his cannabis smoking and the cause behind it, finding out about Dean's troubled past, and offers him support. Austin Mitchell refuses to comment on Dave's gambling, in typical defensive politician style, claiming that it is nothing to do with the film. Austin also goes shopping with Dave, who questions him on the prices of different items. After Mitchell fails to guess the price of milk, bread and tea bags correctly, Dave said that "they say how much you need to live on but don't know how much it costs to live".

All of the MPs are then left to babysit the their hosts children. . Loughton and Oaten do the usual job of parents with young children: a lot of chasing after them and cleaning up after them. Mitchell on the other hand, is stuck as he tries to manage making dinner, leaving the baby with a full nappy (diaper). Mitchell soon finds the struggle too much and calls his wife Linda to come and help him saying that "I know it's not fair to say it's woman's work but it's not mine"

Another theme arising in this episode is immigration as Nadine Dorries host Reena has many stories to tell. First, a man from another country came and moved in to the flat beneath her and then his wife came with their "5, 6, 7" children and then on the Saturday morning, they were moved into a house. Reena was furious that after 3 months they had got a house when she had lived in London her entire life, was born in England and couldn't get a council house. Reena's last council house was taken away from her after her housing benefits were unexpectedly cut. Unable to reach an agreement to pay her rent arrears, she and her children were evicted from their home of 15 years. When Reena returned to see her neighbours, she saw that a foreign family had moved into her old house. She talks about when the bailiffs came, saying "they ripped my stuff apart" "they smashed everything right down to my kids toys. I saw them taking my kids toys and just throwing them in the back of a van".

The last issue that comes up is with the politicians themselves. Sloane asks Oaten about the stress politics has on family life and Oaten admits "yeah I screwed up my whole family life, I had an affair and screwed it all up". He talks about the scandal of sleeping with a rent boy, saying that "journalists were everywhere" and "the impact on the children was a nightmare". Tim talks about one of the problems with politics, saying "one comment wrong by politicians and its all over the papers so they have to think twice and really engage their brain before they speak and sometimes therefore skirt around what they actually want to say which is a real sadness in politics”. He also says that people have good political views but don't vote as "these people don’t make a connection between having political views and voting and that’s the fault of politicians I suppose”.

The next episode looks further at the politicians themselves as they see how they can help their hosts. Come back tomorrow to find out more!

Click here to read about episode 1

Click here to read about episode 3

Click here to read about episode 4

Did you watch this episode? What did you think? What do you think about politicians? Comment and tell us!

The Haitian Revolution

The Enlightenment philosophies influenced the American and French Revolution which thus influenced the Haitian revolution. In the American and French revolutions reach got rid of their king. The revolutions that occurred throughout America and France set the precedence for Haiti’s revolution. The Haitian revolution was needed because the people were completely disenfranchised. The Haitian people were under a strict class system. The Haitian people were constantly dehumanized of their natural rights.

During the 1600s there was a period called the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment mainly focused on a free thinking. The Enlightenment questioned the way things were and how they could be better. There were writers during this period that questioned the way things were. One of the main writers during this period was John Jacques Rousseau. Rousseau believed that man is naturally born free. “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in shackles”. The Haitians were forcibly taken to Saint Domingue from Africa. The Haitians are now in chains leaving a state of freedom. As time went on the writings of Rousseau told them to fight for their freedom. “When something an affliction happens to you, you either let it defeat you, or you defeat it”.
Jean Jacques Rousseau. This is what happened to the Haitians. They were being afflicted in St. Domingue and they fought for their freedom. They were after all fighting for THEIR freedom.

There was long turmoil that leads to this event. The ruler of France exploited Haiti. He used Haiti to produce goods in which they would have to buy back. No profits were gained and the people were living in poverty. In addition to all of this France instituted a hierarchy system in which the Black Haitians were at the bottom. If you could imagine the emotional distress the people must have been going through is extraordinary. It seemed that the Haitian’s natural rights were being infringed upon. When a person’s natural rights are being infringed, they could defend them by any means necessary. Samuel Adams said we have natural rights. “First, a right to life; Secondly, to liberty; Thirdly, to property; together with the right to support and defend them in the best manner they can”. This Haitians killed whoever was likely to stand in their way no matter age, sex, or position in the hierarchy.

The main focus of the Haitians was to eradicate their current government. Haiti had virtual representation. This means whatever laws the King of France passed had to be followed inside Haiti. The ruler of France was King Louis XIV had instituted slavery inside St. Domingue. King Louis XIV had a class system in France in which he and the Clergy had the controlling vote. They abused their power and sent the nation into debt and the commoners who make up the majority only had enough money for bread. The King and Clergy were living an extravagant lifestyle. The commoners got tired of it and beheaded the King and Queen of France. The commoners then established a government called the National Assembly. The National Assembly then outlawed slavery in St. Domingue. The National Assembly was then overthrown by Napoleon Bonaparte who instituted slavery back into St. Domingue. As you can imagine the Haitians were extremely mad about this, they had a taste of freedom and it was taken away.

The Haitians fought back with extreme violence which meant killing people who they felt perpetuated their disenfranchisement. This was the last resort but the rulers of France brought it upon themselves. After all the Blacks were outnumbering the others by 10:1. It seems quite natural that the Blacks would fight to defend their rights. After all of this fighting St. Domingue was then declared a free state and was given its natural name of Haiti.

A Global Citizen

Cortez A., US

What do you think it means to be a global citizen? Be specific, and use imaginative examples or illustrations. Surprise us.

A global citizen encompasses a broad definition; it branches from ethical issues to international conflicts. Some believe that a global citizen is a person who is abreast of international news. Others believe that a global citizen as a moral obligation, which can create understanding between people of different groups. The aspect that I find intriguing and believe is a global citizen is being able to merge both definitions; in addition to taking action to change the world. It is through recognition and creating action that we are able to solve global issues. Merging the broadness of these two definitions form a more realistic perception of what a global citizen is. Being a global citizen is more than knowing statistics, it is more about trying to create change.

The recent tragedy that has befallen Haiti has brought a lot of collective action. Individuals from around the world, such as entertainers, athletes, political figures and the working class have come together to help the country of Haiti. They have come together to help a country that is truly in need. When looking at this information I consider these people as global neighbors more than a global citizen. A global citizen will be concerned with Haiti years from now. The concept of helping people does not stop after the media has stopped filming, the war against poverty, violence, disease, and economics still continues.

A global citizen is someone who works tirelessly to make international issues known. They promote international dialogue which can break down negative perceptions of different people and their country. A global citizen does not allow bias to consume his or her actions; he/she knows that as this happen someone is being hurt or misrepresented. A global citizen is concerned with every aspect of international equality from war, healthcare, to basic living necessities such as food and water. For example, statistics show, a total of 350,000 South Africans died from HIV/AIDS which is reported from UNAIDS. A global citizen would find ways to make this number known across the world via media, building coalitions, or organizing fund raising events. A global citizen would try to solve the problem by educating South Africans on the danger of unprotected sex and even implement programs to increase awareness. Doing this will help get to the root of the problem instead of idly sitting back and watching numbers increase.

A global citizen is not concerned with personal gain, but is instead concerned with the personal well-being of others. A global citizen knows that as he sits back lives can be possibly lost. A global citizens knows that he/she has unlimited potential to change the world and works tirelessly to do so. A global citizen knows that the end justifies the mean, and any help, aid, or support is welcomed. We must realize that we are an interconnected world that works hand and hand; it is bigger than the clothes on our backs and the business deals that are made internationally. A global citizen works tirelessly to fix issues that they see globally.

What do you think it means to be a global citizen? do you agree with Cortez? comment and let us know!

American Analysis on Class

Cortez A., US

I had to create my own class system based on what I see in America.

America is by far one of the most classified nations in the world. This nation has classes for different races and etc. America is also known as the melting pot for other nations. There is a classification system even based on how you dress. Class in America means everything to some people and nothing to others. The class system that you see on the cover page is based on an annual income. Race was not considered when making this class values set because economics affects all races. Everyone has the ability to become financially stable or financially unstable.

The Destitute Class has little to one-thousands dollars of annual income. The people of this class value the simplest things. These are the things that we take for granted. To be in a home of their own that has heat and running water would be only a dream. The people of this class interact with people of their class or people who may help them. The Homeless Class is not afraid to ask for what they need. Although people look down on them they still ask for change to get simple things such as sandwich. Society views this class with sympathy because they are lacking life’s necessities due to unfortunate circumstances. The people in this class may also turn to drinking because they have not attained the social status that they would have like.

The Makers Class has one thousand to forty-five thousand dollars of annual income. The people of this class value the concept of making it to high social status someday. Some of these people value education for their youth as a high priority. These people also value the concept of their children making it to achieve high class. The people are content with their children making it to the high class because the makers know they had something to do with it. The Makers associate with their class of people and occasionally associate with the High Class society. For those who don’t associate with other classes and persistently socialize with other classes lose out on opportunities to climb the economic ladder. These are the people who are content with living in an apartment, drink, fight and resort to other methods of attaining financial stability. They then blame everyone else because they do not feel secure and become dependant upon the government.

The Nuclear Family earn between forty-five thousand to two-hundred and fifty thousand dollars of annual income. These people feel that they have made a somewhat satisfied life. The Nuclear parents get up and go to work everyday. The mothers may pickup the children after soccer. The father is at the office sometimes late working so his family could feel good about their life. These people usually associate with all classes during special occasions. They feel that they have attained the American Dream anything above that is luxury. While people may think they are boring they are not. Some of these people are college graduates and members of fraternities and sororities still completing service projects. These people work hard to get the things they have.

The Buyers earn between two-hundred and fifty to three-hundred and fifty thousands dollars. The people of this class are secure with their possessions. They go out to clubs and have a social life. The Buyers social life is very important to the people of this class. They wear the designer clothes no matter how much it may cost. They are willing to go into debt or max their credit cards to have the latest fashions. These people visit the beach and gym frequently to stay in shape and meet new people. Despite of all of this they still get up and go to work with a high paying job.

The Spacers earn between three-hundred and fifty to five-hundred thousand dollars. The people of this class require a somewhat spacious environment. The Spacers value their environment. These are the people who work to keep their high property valued neighborhood clean. They value their cars and prestige that comes with being inside their class. The Spacers associate with all types of people. They keep their connections open since they may need to utilize them one day. They graduate at the top of their class and expect the same from their children. Society views them as financially stable people. A people who's worries are limited to where corporate stocks are going.

The Individuals earn one million to plus dollars of annual income. The Individuals are the ones who rank high in society. These are the CEO’s of fortune 500 companies; they started their company from an idea and watched it grow. These people are classified by their giving hearts by giving away money to organizations. These people wear comfortable clothing since they know they can buy whatever they would like to. Society views them as the leaders our economy and education is based on. These are the people who have very big houses, fancy cars, yachts, smartphones, large estates, and heirs. The Individuals have worked extremely hard to get what they have. They sometimes lack socially but compensate for it when they speak and talk about their accreditations.

As I come to a close I would like to say that these classes are based strictly on annual earnings. I am aware that people of different races can achieve any one of the financial statuses listed above. We are all trying to achieve is status to which we feel comfortable enough to say in our personal opinion that we have made it. All of these classes are starting to intertwine with each other to create mixed income neighborhoods which creates a better America.