FINDING A WAY TO FREEDOM – HARRIET TUBMAN AND THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD
For International Women's Day, the Maryland chapter chose to honor and celebrate the life of Harriet Tubman. Kim Dadachanji and Nancy Bulow organized a driving tour along Maryland's Eastern Shore called, "Finding a Way to Freedom – Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad." Harriet Tubman has been called "The Moses of Her People" for risking her life to lead numerous black slaves safely to freedom. Mrs. Tubman worked together with white abolitionists and free blacks along a network of "safe houses" called the Underground Railroad, which stretched all the way to Canada.
On Saturday, March 17, 18 people from 5 continents, 7 countries, men and women, ages 3-65, gathered to start the day with breakfast, sharing and prayer. They traveled 1 ½ hours to Cambridge, Md., and started at the Harriet Tubman Museum. Through a moving documentary of Mrs. Tubman's life, the participants felt the spirit of the suffering of the slaves and her passion to save them. Mrs. Tubman wrote, "I freed a thousand people, but I could have freed thousands more if they only knew they were slaves." As a woman of great faith and love, she risked her life to return 13 times to the place where she escaped, in order to free her family members and others.
After the museum, they gathered at Kay's Restaurant to eat and share their thoughts and hearts. One person had no idea how vicious slavery was as an economic strategy. Another was astounded by the incredible faith and courage of such a small woman, who would hold a gun to large men and threaten to kill them if they turned back. Others spoke about the ongoing struggle in America to overcome painful racial barriers. The heartfelt sharing and respect for each person's reflection created a bond of heart as brothers and sisters, and uplifted them as they continued on the tour.
The next stop was the Bucktown Village Store, where Mrs. Tubman, as a young woman, was almost killed by a blow to her head while trying to help an escaping slave. As a result of this injury, she suffered the rest of her life from health problems such as seizures and narcolepsy, a disorder that could cause her to suddenly fall asleep at random times. During escapes, she would sometimes have seizures that triggered dreams telling her to change her route. By following this divine guidance, she would avoid the bounty hunters.
Finally, at sunset, the group arrived at the marker near Harriet Tubman's birthplace, where tearful prayers were offered. The sound of tree frogs and the view of the fields and forest appeared to be much as it had been in her time, when she would sleep on a dirt floor with her nine siblings after a grueling day of doing a man's work. Although she never had children of her own, she had a mother's heart to protect and risk her life for people as if they were her own children. She was very proud "to not have ever lost a passenger on the Underground Railroad."
As a follow-up event, on Saturday, March 24, the Maryland chapter invited people to watch and share about the movie, "The Help." This film is based on a best-selling book by the same name, about the experiences of black women who worked as maids for white families in Jackson, Miss., in 1962. In our discussion afterward, we had the opportunity to hear one guest, Mrs. Floyd, share a variety of her experiences as a black woman in America through her 74 years. Others shared experiences in their lives that had opened their eyes and hearts to the reality of what people think and feel on both sides of the racial divide.
On Monday, April 9, there will be a meeting where two Unificationists will share their childhood experiences in America in the 1950s and 1960s. One will share about his experiences growing up as the son and grandson of black maids, while the other will share her experiences of being a white child who was taken care of by a black maid.
Our WFWP Founder, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, has spoken about resolving our present problems through what she calls "the logic of love." As women, we are hoping through this series of events, and more in the future, to offer opportunities for healing and building relationships of mutual respect and love.
