Hello,

Interesting take on the Underground Railroad and its origins.

As an UGRR researcher, particularly as to how "it' worked here in the State of Ohio I have to disagree with much of what you state to be fact. Or should I say don't state.

A reading and review of the works of Wilbur H. Siebert and that of William Still may help to broaden your view as regards the origins and workings of the UGRR and how it might apply to the role of Blacks.
Wilbur H. Siebert:
http://www.ohiohistory.org/undergroundrr/siebert.pdf
William Still:
http://www.quinnipiac.edu/other/ABL/etext/ugrr/ugrrmain.html

As a descendant of AA families heavily involved in UGRR activities I'm somewhat offended with the assertion the the UGRR was a "white man's" operation. The roles played by Blacks in the face of the draconian aspects of the 1793 & 1850 Fugitive Slave is something to behold. Those Blacks involved were very brave, committed people to the concept of assisting in the gaining freedom for their enslaved brethren. To attribute the actions of these Blacks based on the Largesse of the "white man" borders on hearsay.

A Black Family's UGRR involvement: http://tinyurl.com/6pwm63e

I do understand that the UGRR was probably the first and most significant integrated effort toward gaining freedom for all in the USA. It's just upsetting when the role of Blacks is mentioned, or not mentioned, and portrayed only in the images of Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth and Frederick Douglass.

Thanks for your perspective.
Art Thomas
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Odinson wrote:
"When discussing the Underground Railroad, Harriet Tubman is always mentioned. But what about the founder Isaac T. Hopper that started it all.

Anthony Benezet (1713-1784) was a native of France who became a Quaker at age fourteen. In 1731 he came to Philadelphia and in 1736 married Joyce Marriott. He was a teacher for most of his life and was active in promoting an end to slavery and the slave trade. He wrote and distributed many papers and tracts dealing with slavery, American Indians and education.

At the end of the railroad (CANADA…mostly) $5 will get you $10 that it was “White Man” that helped the slave get established to start a new life! Even with Harriet Tubman, when she escaped (with a hefty bounty on her head) was given a job by Whites to establish herself. Also, “MANY” of the “SAFE-HOUSES” were White’s homes that was sympathetic to their cause.

So the next time before you start running your mouth about Whites…keep all this into consideration.

FROM THE BLACK HISTORY FILES OF DRQD: http://www.whatthehellhappened.spruz.com"