FLY - Study with a Buddy

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Harriet Tubman (c. 1822-1913) was an African American abolitionist, humanitarian, and during the American Civil War, a Union spy. Born into slavery in Maryland, Tubman escaped to freedom in the North in 1849. However, her personal liberty was not enough; she became a conductor on the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses used to help enslaved African Americans escape to free states and Canada. Tubman is credited with making 13 missions to rescue approximately 70 enslaved people, including family and friends, using her knowledge of covert travel and survival techniques.

Tubman's bravery and determination were unparalleled. She never lost a "passenger" on the Underground Railroad, earning her the nickname "Moses" for leading her people to freedom. During the Civil War, she served the Union Army as a cook, nurse, and even a scout and spy, becoming the first woman to lead an armed expedition in the war, which liberated more than 700 slaves in South Carolina.

After the war, Tubman dedicated her life to helping impoverished former slaves and the elderly, establishing the Harriet Tubman Home for the Aged on land adjacent to her home in Auburn, New York. Her legacy extends far beyond her role in the abolition and Civil War; she's celebrated as a symbol of courage, resilience, and freedom. Tubman's life and work have been honored in numerous ways, including in literature, film, and through the naming of schools and public spaces. In 2016, it was announced that Harriet Tubman would replace Andrew Jackson on the center of a new $20 bill design, a move that would make her the first African American woman to be featured on U.S. currency, highlighting her enduring legacy as one of America's most iconic and inspirational figures.

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Malcolm X (1925-1965) was a prominent African American civil rights leader known for his fervent advocacy for Black empowerment, racial pride, and self-defense. Born Malcolm Little, he rose to prominence as a member of the Nation of Islam, adopting the name Malcolm X to signify the loss of his African ancestry. His articulate public speeches and uncompromising stance on civil rights issues highlighted the systemic racism and inequality faced by African Americans, drawing both admiration and controversy.

During the early 1960s, Malcolm X's philosophy evolved following his pilgrimage to Mecca, leading him to embrace Sunni Islam and advocate for racial unity and cooperation. He began to see the potential for racial harmony and shifted his focus towards human rights over merely civil rights. This period marked a significant transformation in his ideology, moving away from the separatist rhetoric that had defined much of his early activism.

Malcolm X's life was cut short when he was assassinated in 1965, but his legacy endures as a symbol of resistance against oppression and as a champion of the right to self-identity and self-determination for African Americans. His eloquent indictments of racism and his advocacy for civil rights have inspired generations of activists. Malcolm X remains a complex figure, often remembered for his contribution to the debate on race relations in America and his influence on the civil rights movement, shaping the discourse on race and equality both nationally and internationally.

FLY'S MOTIVATION MONDAY: “Either you run the day or the day runs you.” — Jim Rohn