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Regina Patton-Stell
We are traveling today in Canada going to Uncle Tom's Cabin in Dresden.....little did I know that "our" entire interpretation and characterization related to "Uncle Tom" in the Black community is predicated on mistruths....Barbara Carter....the great-great granddaughter of Josiah Henson, an enslaved African that Harriet Beecher Stowe based her fictional character Uncle Tom. This character is commonly felt to reflect a black man that sells out to the white man. We were informed by his descendent that the truth bout Henson was that he successfully assisted 118 fugitive slaves to freedom in Canada. This man was not a sell out but committed to helping others to gain their birth right of freedom. Who and what he represented must be shared especially with children of all races...so their determination and commitment to ensuring equal quality education is available to our future education...Somehow I know this story must be told for to know the strength and knowledge of these people....is true testimony of the power within many of the students in our classrooms today....We must make this Underground Railroad story known to the younger generation.
-susie.forrester@thedesertsun.com
Alexis Simpson
I now embrace a respect for Canada that my well-meaning fourth grade teacher did not impart to her students within the belabored unit on Canada. All I remember is the brilliant maple leaf and "our neighbors to the north." How I wish she had taken the "footsteps to freedom journey," but I guess no one taught Mrs. Golden about the magical connection between the stars and stripes and the maple leaf. Now what is missing from this puzzle they call my education in the Chicago public schools? How could i teach my child the significance of Canada's role in the underground railroad segment of history? I'm fifty-two years old, but it is not too late to heal the open wound of ignorance by teaching the young and the old, share my experiences, my soul-stirring moments, the joys, contrasted by the sadness. But finally the swelled up inside me kind of pride that I feel now, I'm full. So I need you to question me, quiz me, and don't forget to leave me with thoughts, to further research the wealth of history that has yet to be liberated deep within "our friends to the north."
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Footsteps to Freedom 2001