Harriet Tubman Obstacles

Harriet Tubman is a famous heroine that transported suffering slaves to the light of freedom despite various obstacles along the way. She was born into slavery to her parents, Harriet Green and Benjamin Ross. Tubman was one of eleven children living on a slave plantation in Maryland, and later moved to a plantation in the South. Tubman inherited her courage and strength from her ancestors, the West African Ashanti tribe, known for being fierce warriors. (Taylor 11). Harriet once famously said, “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars.” Harriet was determined to show all people that anything was possible, even with the risky idea of her saving distressed slaves. Though Harriet Tubman, the famous “conductor” of the Underground …show more content…
Throughout the beginning of Harriet’s life she encountered social injustice. Tubman once said, “I grew up like a neglected weed - ignorant of liberty, having no experience of it.” (Clinton 16). Proved by this quote, Harriet was treated as a second-class citizen. Tubman was put to work at a young age with labor assigned to her that was not appropriate for her capabilities. For example, Tubman was given sophisticated and strenuous work, equivalent to that of an adult man. Though she served her masters to the best of her ability, when she became ill, she was accused of faking sick in order to escape work. (Taylor 11). Starting from a young age, Harriet began to react to other slaves that were suffering. When she was told by a slave hunter to hold down a slave who was about to be hit with lashes, she refused and was immediately hit with a considerable weight. (Taylor 15-16). Later in her life, Harriet suffered from unexpected blackouts due to the severe head injury she received when trying to protect another slave. (Taylor