The "Journey To Freedom" Statue Visits Lancaster, Pennsylvania" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Standing along King Elementary School in the South end of the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania looking at a sculpture of abolitionist and civil rights activist Harriet Tubman.  The traveling sculpture began its journey in Montgomery, Alabama, and has been touring since January 2020.  

It will be on display in Lancaster at the corner of South Duke and North Street through March 30.  I made my trip on a chilly morning in order to take a photograph of the sculpture as well as have a chance to share with you the 9-foot, 2,400-pound sculpture of Harriet Tubman who was one of our country's most amazing black woman who probably did more to advance the plight of black Americans than any other person.  As soon as I turned onto Duke Street I could see the beautiful exhibit a block away.  The 9-foot, 2,400-pound sculpture was made by Wesley Wofford who designed and made the sculpture to pay tribute to Tubman's commitment to and resilience in the fight for freedom and depicts her travels to free hundreds of enslaved people.  

The sculpture shows Tubman as a young woman holding the hand of an enslaved girl, leading her to her freedom on the Underground Railroad, living the bonds of slavery behind. The feet stand on one rock, which symbolizes the slave states of Maryland and Delaware, while Tubman's left foot rises up over a cliff, symbolizing the danger of the journey on their way to Pennsylvania.  The sculpture was officially unveiled during a special event at the school on Rockland Street with dozens of people in attendance.  The traveling exhibit is inspiring each community where is is making a stop.  The community is coming together to see the sculpture of Harriet who is an American hero and most importantly a role model to the children who have a chance to view the sculpture and learn the history of Harriet and what she symbolizes in community after community.  

The story of Harriet is not the story of one individual, but the story of Black and brown people in Lancaster's southeast neighborhoods.  Lancaster's Mayor Danene Sorace told the audience that  it's a humbling experience to be celebrating Harriet Tubman.  She told the crowd that it was a distinct and humbling honor to be celebrating Harriet Tubman with everyone in Lancaster.  She survived so many obstacles in her life and went on to be part of he suffrage movement for women.  To celebrate and recognize a Black woman who accomplished so much is truly an honor.  Tubman was born Araminta Ross in 1822 on Maryland's eastern sore to enslaved parents.  

She escaped to become a leading abolitionist who aided the Underground Railroad, a secret network of people, rites and safe houses to transport enclaved people out of the South.  "We are still fighting that journey to freedom as African Americans. It is also a personal struggle because we have to figure out who we are, where we come from and accept it to then be able to move forward.  The monument represents us as a culture...so we are going to celebrate Black people!"  The entire time I was standing in front of the statue of Harriet Tubman, I was alone.  I felt as if Harriet was talking to me and directing me as I held my camera in my hand, snapping photo after photo.  I realized, as I stood, taking photographs of the statue that it represents more than just Harriet Tubman...it represented black people as a culture and their acceptance as human beings.  Their fight and journey may someday make them truly free.  But, will I, as a human being, ever see that day in history?  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.