Messages of Freedom: H.T. I know you are with me
Harriet Tubman saved my life. Me, young black girl child in a sea of mostly whiteness and brownness, it was rare that I saw my reflection. But, when H.T. came on the scene I felt like I had found the super hero I had always dreamed of. She was strong, unafraid, powerful, and unapologetic. She had two nicknames~Minty, and Moses. Minty, because her middle name was Arminta, and Moses because she freed so many black folk out of slavery. I appreciate the work she did for our people, so effortlessly, with so much love. I believe H.T. is our beacon of light, our reminder that freedom is the day to day steps we walk and create. That freedom is in the journey we speak into existence. H.T., you have and continue to save so many black girl lives.
As a black girl child I often felt forgotten. Forgotten by larger white supremacist society, and forgotten by the nuclear family model that was just as fragmented as my spirit. I used H.T. as my mantra for change. I read all her children’s books, and when I was done with them I read them again. I knew she would answer so many questions that the rest of the world left unanswered. Questions about my vulnerability. Questions about my strength.
As I have aged, I still love H.T. so much, but I see her humanity more these days. I don’t just think about her as a super hero. I remember, that she, at one point was a black girl child and had fears and insecurities just like me. That even with those fears and insecurities she fed her strength and her love for freedom, her love for black folk. When ever I am a bit undone I ask myself: What would H.T. do? How would she move through this situation? Her grace will never be forgotten. Her messages are ever present. Black girl children we got a human hero and her name is Harriet Tubman. love love. #riseofthedandelions
