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By Haiphuong Hua

There is still time: Join Us on the Footsteps to Freedom Underground Railroad Field Study XI

On July 27th, 2008, the Footsteps to Freedom Underground Railroad Study tour will take participants onto a journey inundated with incredible sights and locations.  The journey will start in Columbus, Ohio and end in Buffalo New York. 

The Footsteps to Freedom tour is not about African history, it's a remembrance of the American history as a whole. The participants will be taken on a journey back in time to see and relive the difficult times the enslaved people endured while seeking freedom. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be able to walk on the same paths as our ancestors have, when they tried to escape enslavement.

"I have learned that I am the legacy of a people who were determined to see all of their future generation free.  All descendants of ex-slaves owe it to their forefathers [to] embrace their freedom, live life to the fullest, and be the best they can be," said Pam Lockhart, a 2007 participant.

The experience may be nostalgic, but it is the educational experience of a lifetime. What better method to learn American history in person where you can see, touch, smell, and hear for yourselves the amazing journey these brave people have experienced. It is a great way for students to learn and teachers to use this tour as a tool to teach American history to their students. Participants learn the tactics that slaves used to seek freedom.  One example is that the slaves would use false bottom wagons, in which they covered themselves with manure to deceive dog's sense of smell so they would not be caught and slave catchers would not take too close of a notice.

"If it wasn't for the stories told and remembered, past down and listened to, written and read, we would have no history and the voices would be lost," said Harriet, a 2007 participant. 

All of the locations you will get to see will allow you to realize the suffrage of Black American people and the commitment to fight oppression.  This amazing journey will take you to another country, four states, and eighteen cities, in which you can acquire lasting memories. 

The sign up date to go on this memorable trip has been extended until the twenty first of July. Hurry now to ensure your spot of a lifetime. 

For more information, call Cheryl Brown (909) 888-5040 or Angela Dorough (909) 386-2611, San Bernardino County Office of Education.

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