Blog Prompt #3: Underground Railroad

     One of the discussed topics in Solomon’s book was that of the Underground Railroad. Discrimination has been going on for as long as there have been organized civilizations. But one that is most relevant to America (not to take anything away from what other groups have went through) is the enslavement of African Americans. Dating back to before the United States was declared a nation in 1776, the population has dealt with the horrible treatment of this specific group. Naturally, wanting to escape the places where they had virtually no rights, the evolvement of the Underground Railroad came to be.

         At its height, from 1850-1860, this served as a route for where slaves could find secret houses and safe havens on their way to what they hoped to be a better life. Various figures are available as to how many were able to escape via this paths but most range from between 2,000 and 100,000 people. These routes prominently sent escapees from the south up the north, especially to the Ohio region and Canada. One historical person that arguable had the biggest impact on freeing thousands of people was Harriet Tubman. Born into slavery, Tubman ultimately escaped and became very vital in the evolution of these passages.

         Before reading Solomon’s book, I was aware of what the Underground Railroad was. However, after reading and discussing it, I have to admit that I was pretty ignorant on the topic and its details before. Knowing about past history and events that have had an influence on our country are very important for everyone to be aware of. Knowledge will (or should) help continue our country to become closer and resolve any issues that are current today.

         The Underground Railroad was one of the biggest movements not just in terms of Civil Rights, but is undoubtedly one of the biggest events ever. It helped save the lives of not just the 100,000 people that fled, but it impacted generations after generations, and showed a perseverance that many people can learn from today.  

Youth Resistance

After reading Bruce Levine’s article, it is clearly apparent that America’s youth isn’t “fighting back” as much as could be necessary. Of this points, there are some I agree, and some I disagree with.

One point I disagree with is his thoughts on schooling. I don’t see school being a sole reason for youth resistance. He seems to say that because in the classroom and are to obey a teacher and take their directions, that alone is reason enough to not go out and voice your opinion. Maybe school doesn’t “teach us to act in a friction causing manner,” but I don’t feel that the classroom is a place where that should be taught.  

He says that schools “teach kids to care about things they don’t care about”. I don’t see how teaching a kid what they aren’t interested in can be something that enables them from voicing their opinion. If you don’t care about algebra, that doesn’t mean you blow it off and not do it. In life everything you do isn’t going to interest you, or be fun for that matter. If your everyday job is to stock groceries, but on a given day you are asked to take “do the numbers”, you don’t blow it off, you do it because it’s part of responsibility. Maybe kids don’t feel that school is the place they feel that they get “most educated,” but the school system is a system that is not just there to help you solve quadratic equations, it’s a place where you learn life lessons and hard work.

One bullet point that I agree is his eighth example when he says:

“Fundamentalist consumerism destroys self-reliance, creating people who feel completely dependent on others and who are thus more likely to turn over decision-making power to authorities…”

I do feel that American youths are becoming more dependant on other people or hierarchies to take control, or simply hope that someone else voices their shared opinion.

Additional Points:

1.)    One reason not mentioned in the article that I feel contributes to this is problem is that people don’t feel that their single voice will make a difference. Whether it’s insecurity, lack of self-confidence, or simply not caring, certain issues will shut people up. If you were to gather 100 students, I’d bet that at least 75 (probably even higher) of them will sit back and watch the other 25 debate certain topics. That’s not to say that the majority doesn’t have an opinion or care about the topic, but many people today are so worried about how they’re perceived by their peers, they fear engaging in animated discussions.  

2.)    Another is the advancement in technology and social media. First, youths are now prone to distraction with so many new gaming consoles, computers, iPads/iPods, etc. These advancements are coming in at the height of social networking as well. Facebook, Twitter, and many more of these sites have become so big that it is changing how individuals interact with one another.

3.)    Peoples dependence on their parents. Some kids many have grown up with their parents doing everything for them, they’ll believe that their parents will always be there to fight their battles for them.