Okay, Harriet Tubman, born into slavery in the early 1800s, escaped slavery, probably best known today for helping other slaves escape to free states via a system of secret routes, sympathizers and safe houses referred to as the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad had nothing to do with trains, it was just a code word. Tubman went on to serve as a spy for the Union army during the American civil war, and was a figure in the women’s suffrage movement, surviving into the 20th century.
So, the fact that she was a black woman is kind of important to Harriet Tubman’s lore, and casting Julia Roberts in the role is rather inappropriate.
Tbh, it should. American educations don’t touch Africa barring a dip into Egypt, which usually compresses the dynasties in a way that does nothing for a deeper understanding. Even as someone with a BA in history, that watched the course listing like a hawk for “history of the Sahel” or “history of the Mali empire” or some lovely 3000-4000 course - nothing.
I should have been taught who Nkrumah was. And Léopold Senghor, and Kenyatta…
Instead, I lean on The Fate of Africa by Martin Meredith. Which is a good book, but by a journalist, not a historian.
Does the phrase “underground railroad” mean anything to you?
Like the Eurostar
…no?
Just adding on to others, they made her a leader you can play as in Civ 7. (This is just a fun fact, obviously she’s important outside of being in a video game.) https://civilization.fandom.com/wiki/Harriet_Tubman_(Civ7)
Okay, Harriet Tubman, born into slavery in the early 1800s, escaped slavery, probably best known today for helping other slaves escape to free states via a system of secret routes, sympathizers and safe houses referred to as the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad had nothing to do with trains, it was just a code word. Tubman went on to serve as a spy for the Union army during the American civil war, and was a figure in the women’s suffrage movement, surviving into the 20th century.
So, the fact that she was a black woman is kind of important to Harriet Tubman’s lore, and casting Julia Roberts in the role is rather inappropriate.
Here you go. She was a pretty amazing person. If you’re from the US and didn’t learn about her in school, your school failed you.
Congrats on being one of the lucky 10,000 learning something new, especially about a genuine hero!
I can’t help but wonder if the down voters are unfamiliar with the comic and didn’t click it, because it sounds a little condescending otherwise lol.
I don’t see down votes but that’s pretty funny to be honest.
We call it the subway or the metro nowadays.
Not everyone is from North America. That is like me asking you, does “Dr. Kwame Nkrumah” mean anything to you?
Tbh, it should. American educations don’t touch Africa barring a dip into Egypt, which usually compresses the dynasties in a way that does nothing for a deeper understanding. Even as someone with a BA in history, that watched the course listing like a hawk for “history of the Sahel” or “history of the Mali empire” or some lovely 3000-4000 course - nothing.
I should have been taught who Nkrumah was. And Léopold Senghor, and Kenyatta…
Instead, I lean on The Fate of Africa by Martin Meredith. Which is a good book, but by a journalist, not a historian.
If only that question was a direct response to someone talking about an American historical figure by name.
C’mon, there are lots of NBA fans outside of the United States.