Rita Daniels, now 70, discovered at the tender age of 9 that she is the great-great-great-grandniece of the legendary abolitionist Harriet Tubman. Tubman, known for leading countless enslaved Africans to freedom through the Underground Railroad, left an indelible mark on American history. This revelation transformed Daniels’ understanding of herself and the historical legacy she carries. Years later, when Daniels recently learned of significant alterations to the National Park Service’s webpage on Tubman and the Underground Railroad, she was deeply troubled.
In a recent news report, Daniels shared the profound impact of this discovery on her life. As a young student in Auburn, New York, Daniels was assigned to write about Tubman. However, the books available to her at the time depicted Tubman as a “thief” and misrepresented her heroic actions. It wasn’t until Daniels shared her findings with her mother that the truth emerged—Harriet Tubman was not just a historical figure, but a family ancestor. This revelation set Daniels on a path to preserve Tubman’s legacy and champion her rightful place in American history.
The changes made to the National Park Service’s webpage in February sparked widespread outrage and disbelief. The removal of Tubman’s image and the altered description of the Underground Railroad as a part of the “American civil rights movement” raised concerns about historical erasure and misrepresentation. For Daniels, whose life’s work has been dedicated to honoring Tubman’s legacy, the alterations were not just a matter of historical accuracy but a reflection of the ongoing struggle to acknowledge and preserve Black history in America.
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Disputed Changes and Public Outcry
The alterations to the NPS webpage, reported by The Washington Post, prompted immediate backlash and calls for accountability. The replacement of Tubman’s image with postage stamps celebrating “Black/white cooperation” and the revision of the Underground Railroad’s description to downplay its significance as a resistance to enslavement sent shockwaves through the community. Daniels, a staunch advocate for Tubman’s legacy, expressed her disappointment and frustration at the erasure of critical aspects of Black history.
In response to mounting public pressure, the National Park Service released a statement acknowledging the unauthorized changes to the webpage. The original content, highlighting Tubman’s pivotal role in leading enslaved individuals to freedom and confronting systemic racism, was swiftly restored. The incident underscored the importance of preserving and honoring the contributions of Black Americans to the nation’s history.
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Legacy of Resilience and Advocacy
For Daniels, Tubman’s unwavering courage and resilience serve as a guiding light in her own life. Enduring years of torment from a stalker, Daniels found solace and strength in her ancestor’s words of perseverance. Despite facing unimaginable challenges, including a violent attack that left her hospitalized, Daniels drew on Tubman’s legacy to find the inner strength to carry on.
As the nation grapples with issues of historical representation and racial equity, Daniels remains a steadfast advocate for preserving the legacy of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. The attempt to erase or distort the contributions of Black Americans like Tubman only reinforces the need to acknowledge and celebrate their enduring impact on American history.
The controversy surrounding the altered NPS webpage serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle to confront historical inaccuracies and misrepresentations. Daniels’ unwavering commitment to upholding Tubman’s legacy underscores the enduring power of one woman’s courage to inspire generations and challenge the status quo. As Daniels aptly puts it, “She’s too important to our family and to American history to just be pushed aside.” The legacy of Harriet Tubman lives on, a beacon of hope and resilience in a world still grappling with issues of racial equality and historical justice.
