The political scene unfolding before us today has us thinking back to a particular scene in Harriet Tubman's life- when she gave a speech at the New England Colored Convention in Boston, Massachusetts in August of 1859.
Harriet Tubman stood resolute, delivering her stirring speech "Rooted Here" as she reaffirmed her commitment to the fight for freedom. In the face of danger and adversity, she spoke of the deep ties that bound her to the land and her people, declaring that despite the oppression and brutality of slavery, she would not abandon the quest for justice and liberation. Tubman’s words echoed the unyielding spirit of resistance that would fuel countless others in their struggles for freedom. The salvaged portion of her speech reads: ". . . of a man who sowed onions and garlic on his land to increase his dairy productions; but he soon found the butter was strong and would not sell, and so he concluded to sow clover instead. But he soon found the wind had blown the onions and garlic all over his field. Just so, the white people had got the n***** here to do their drudgery, and now they were trying to root ‘em out and send ‘em back to Africa. But they can’t do it; we’re rooted here, and they can’t pull us up."
Fast forward to August 2024, and the echoes of Tubman's speech resonate powerfully in the present. As Kamala Harris takes the stage with her campaign slogan "We Won't Go Back," she channels the enduring legacy of leaders like Harriet Tubman. Harris's message is a defiant stand against the forces that seek to undo the progress made in civil rights, equality, and justice. It’s a reminder that the battles fought by Tubman and her contemporaries have paved the way for the leaders of today, who continue to push forward in the ongoing journey toward a more just America.
Harriet Tubman’s contributions were not just to her time; they laid the foundation for the generations that followed. America is who we are today because of the bravery and leadership of African American figures like Tubman, who dared to envision a future where freedom was not just a distant dream but a reality worth fighting for. As we face the challenges of today, we draw strength from her legacy, knowing that we are rooted here, in the soil of perseverance and resistance, and we won’t go back. The spirit of Harriet Tubman lives on in every step forward, every demand for justice, and every refusal to retreat in the face of adversity.
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