Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Statement of Process

Throughout this project I did my best to keep up with the due dates. The first thing I did was my research on slavery and I had put them in my bibliography. I really didn't have a problem finding primary sources, or any sources at all. I then posted a glossary, but didn't post anything on it yet. After doing that I added a poem as my first genre and my friend gave me the idea to make this. Afterwards I checked the blog for genres and found out that a journal entry was perfect for me. I then spent some time thinking of genres to use and generated a list. I ended up doing a character profile next and at first it came out wrong, but later on I fixed it. I had made it more like a news article. Next I created a letter that was next on my list and it came out just fine, only I needed to proofread. The next day, I created a trivia game and the idea had come from a friend. At the end the game came out pretty well. I then created an advertisement during school. I wanted to make the slave sellers look bad so I put things like whipping the slaves. I had started on a skit on the same day during school and I was half way through. When I got home I finished it up. It was pretty long, but I don't think it came out all that great. I then decided to create a wanted poster where they would be looking for someone with a reward and I made it look like the ones back then only without the handwriting and spaces. After finishing that, I made an obituary and I had mixed it up with the character profile, so I switched the layout and they both came out quite nice. After that I created a feature article which is not all that great. Then comes my reflection and this, my statement of process.

Reflection

I thought that this project was pretty enjoyable and a great learning experience. I found out so much on the way slaves were treated and how they escaped through the Underground Railroad. I really worked quite a lot on this, but I really don't think I gave it 100% of my efforts, especially on revision. Even though I didn't give it my all I think that i did pretty well on it. I also had some help from my friends with the revision though.

The topics I chose were chosen, all for a reason. The topics I chose were ones that would work well with each other and they all had to be read in the right order, so I did my best with that. I did have quite a few issues on this blog though. I had a lot of problems with my revision and also quite a few on genre uses. I got through revision by asking friends to help revise and of course I had to also help them out too. After a while of thinking on genres I had formulated a list and it came out quite nice. I really do think this was a great experience, becasue if all the new information I learned and many different types of genre. I especially liked it becasue we got to choose our topic. It was something where I would be able to choose something I want to learn about and not just what the teacher wants us to learn.

Monday, June 2, 2008

Alexander Is Free & The Land of the Free?

After all the running and being chased after. It all ends today. Alexander finally escapes slave lands and finds his way to California, the free state, where they not only ban slavery, but wont return the, found slave back to his/ her owner.

For all this talk about the free country and equality for all. Doesn't slavery, just blow away that saying because, the black men and woman, don't seem to be very free. Alexander is one of the many who find a way to escape slavery, but many are also caught and severely punished for running. Sometimes they are even killed. Tell me is this free?

Monday, May 19, 2008

Isaacs New Invention

Feature article

This man Isaac has just come up with what he calls the Underground Railroad. No it is not a real train and railroad, it is actually a path to help set slaves free, with conductors.

Slaves shall be freed all over the land through this path, even if it's illegal. There are daring and brave people who are willing to shelter runaway slave, which is against the law.

At this moment there have already been more than 200 freed slaves that ended up in the free state of Canada. In Canada not only will the slaves become free and not be sent back, they will also be treated as an equal to whites.

This invention probably won't end slavery, but who knows, maybe one day it will.

-Matt Hews

The Obituary of Isaac T. Hopper

Isaac was born on December 3, 1771 and during his life, fell in love with Sarah Tatum and later marries her. His mothers name was Abby Hopper Gibbons and father was Jacob Lindley. After his years he died on May 7, 1852 becasue of inflammation of lungs and it soon later expanded to his stomach.

Life's accomplishments: Created the Underground Railroad and had encouraged many. He had also saved many lives and was a man of honor and had a kind heart.

Description: He was a black man who was once a slave. Later he escaped to his freedom, fighting for his rights and the rights of others. He became quite successful and got along with others quite well. He had also helped many people become free with his ideas and was trustworthy. He was a very strong minded man and had learned to read and write. He was only taken as a slave afterwards. This man had a very kind heart especially because he would risk his life to help others, which is also the reason he died. He was out in the cold while trying to help someone and became ill and died.

Friday, May 16, 2008

WANTED

Alexander Montgomery
Last known to be seen in one of the Underground Railroad paths.
Description: Light brown hair, pure black eyes, scar on his forehead, a burnt symbol of a unicorn on his left shoulder and left wearing a black t-shirt and torn brown Pants.

Escaped Feb/16/08 in the middle of the night. Ran off with no possessions, but his clothes. He is about 6'2", very large mouthed: Physically and mentally.




REWARD FOR FINDING HIM: $150

If this man is found, please report to the slave selling block at 9:30 Mon- Fri.

The Escape

This post is a skit on the escape of Alexander.

Alexander: I'm tired of this wretched place. I am going to escape tonight.

Rennie: You’re leaving? You can't leave!

Alexander: I'm sorry friend, but I'm leaving no matter what.

Rennie: "Sigh" If you have to then be careful because if the master catches you, you’re as good as dead. I suggest you escape to the Underground Railroad. There will be people to help you. While I was delivering something the master told me too, I overheard these men talking about there being safe houses where white and black men and women will help and let you stay in there homes.

Alexander: How will I know if it's a safe house?

Rennie: I wasn't finished. Every safe house has a lamp on a hitch. A home with that on it is a safe house.

Alexander: Thank you my friend. Will you join me?

Rennie: I'm sorry, but I'm not taking that risk and I don't think you should either, but I don't want to interfere with your thoughts and I have no right too.

Alexander: Thank you and I hope you find happiness one day. I am leaving tonight and I'm not going to say good bye, so I will now.

*When it finally became night, Alexander sneaks out and steadily walks, afraid to make noise. He gets past the guard dogs and avoids the sleeping master’s ears. As soon as he jumps the fence in the fields, he starts to run at full speed.*

Alexander: *Pant* I can’t keep running like this. Just keep going Alex. As soon as you reach the forest, you can rest.

*So Alexander continues his running towards the forest and as soon as he reaches the forest, he stops running when he was at a safe distance inside and decided to rest.

Alexander: If I don't get some rest now, I might not be able to get through another day.

*Afterwards, Alexander decides to build shelter somewhere. He had learned how to build shelter from his father and lucky for him, it was a warm time of the year. Alex started ripping big branches with there leaves off of the trees around him and soon he had a pile of leaved branches. Then he took big sticks and made a triangular shape this them and dug them into the ground. He then took the leaves and piled them on top of the sticks for protection. He also put lots of leaves inside the shelter, so it would be comfortable.

Alexander: Even though this bed is made of leaves, it feels like the softest bed in the world. I'm so tired and my feet ache so much.

*As Alexander rubbed his feet, he started to drift and so he left his feet alone and went to sleep.*

*Dogs barking*

Alexander: What's going on? Are those dogs? Oh no! I got to get going now!

*Slave hunters were out looking for him and he knew it. Quickly he got up and started to run. Before he ran far a hand reached out from behind a bush and pulled him in. Alex tried to fight him. The man smelled like dung.*

Strange man: Stop moving, I'm trying to help you. Relax

*The man took a can out of a pouch around his waist and opened it.

Alexander: What is that! It smells like wolverine dung.

Strange man: That's because it is. It will help hide your sent from the dogs and even if they smell you, they will stay away.

*Alexander closes his eyes as the man wipes the gunk stuff all over him, and soon, just as the man said, the dogs left along with the humans and didn't even come close to the place they were hiding.*

Alexander: Thank you very much.

Strange man: My name is Renjie. I help as one of the Underground Railroad conductors. You know you shouldn't be out in the morning, because that's when the slave hunters will be looking for you. Stay low in the morning and travel at night. Come with me, I'll give you shelter and help you across the Underground Railroad.

Alexander: Thank you so much. I don't know what to say. Why is it that you risk your life to save ours?

Renjie: I don't think it's right for humans to be treated that way, and I'm fighting for the freedom of slaves.

*As Renjie walked Alexander to his home for shelter, the man told him the story of when he was a slave and how he escaped.

Renjie: There are many white conductors as well and they are all trust worthy. I am one of the few black conductors. I was once a slave, when the Underground Railroad didn't escape and I had escaped over a frozen lake with a stolen horse from my master. I took the horse and rode it. The bad thing about the horses was that they kept slipping, but I was really lucky the ice was thick enough to hold my horse and my weight. We traveled at night and slept in the morning and soon I was at a free state, but I still had to lay low because they will send you back if they found you. I just kept going, until I got to Canada, the Free State that allowed you to be free and didn't send you back if they found you.
*After Renjie finished his story, they got to his house which was nice and large. He fed him some delicious soup and meat. Alexander ate happily for this was his first meal in two days.*

Alexander: This is delicious. Thank you very much.

Renjie: It's no problem and don't worry about it. The Underground Railroad is the source of many lives in this world. Thank the man who made it, Isaac T. Hopper the creator of the Underground Railroad.

*Renjie lived alone and had no kids. He was actually pretty lonely and that's because his old wife left him for helping slaves because she was afraid that he would be caught and killed. After Alexander finished eating Renjie lead Alexander to a hidden room with a doorway that was hardly noticeable. There was a small crack that was the only was to tell if there was a room or not. There was a string attached to it that came out of the end of the wall. The door was a slide door. When Renjie opened the door Alexander went in and thanks Renjie for his help and then goes to sleep.

SELLING SLAVE

Tired of doing work and sweating in the fields white folks? Too lazy to do it yourself?
Buy a slave today. They will work and do all of it for you. They will tend to your every need and if they don't listen... Whip them! Take them and make them listen. Train them and make them obey.

To buy a slave goes to Mulberry Street and buy one now!

Children: $5 each
Will be harder to handle, but will work for you for a longer time and also costs less.



Adults: $10 each
They are full grown and strong enough to do all the work you assign to them. They will need much less attention than the younger ones because there imagination is less complex.

Trivia game

There is a trivia game located to the right sidebar of this blog. The answers and results will be given when the polls close.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Dear Mother,
My master is horrible, he beats all of the slaves and I have been beat too. I am forced to pick cotton and work for that stupid man. Even though my master's horrible, his wife is kind and whenever someone is whipped really badly, she will help them apply medicine and always says soothing words. I am hoping that she will send this letter to you and please don't be worried, I will try to escape soon. I am setting up a plan to escape. Even if the master’s wife sees this she won't become angry and she will still send the letter. She actually wants us to escape, but is frightened that if she helps a slave she will be sent to jail or worst, executed. This master is unruly and just sits around on his horse all day while we work.

I work on the fields picking cotton while others work the cotton gin. Picking the cotton is really hard work and I get blisters from doing it. When I hear the name cotton I would usually think about something soft, but while picking it, it is the hardest thing in the world.

Today in the field's he threw a rock at a young boy who was tired and sat down. It hit him in the head and he was bleeding so much. I ran up to the master and I punched him in the face. He got up with a red face and picked up his whip. He tied me on this wooden plank and started to whip me. The pain was unbearable and even wearing a shirt hurts. He gave me so many lashes that I couldn't even count them. It felt like forever until he stopped.

Oh and right after I was bought by this man, he took this bar of iron with some kind of symbol on it and tied me up. Then he put the hard iron onto my back. I was trying to tear free from the rope so I could kill him, but I couldn't. After he was finished he let me go and I was about to hit him, but I know the law and what he would do to me. He told me he burned his ownership on my back. Does he think he owns me? Watch I will escape and fight for my rights! I know where I have to go and I won’t stop until I get there. I'm going to Canada!

Love,
Alexander

Alexander Montgomery



Born: May-4-1701.
Died: July-21-1762
Close relationships:
Brother- James Montgomery, Mother- Rosetta Montgomery, Father- Mark Montgomery.

description: Alexander had a brother named James and he was a really smart boy. In July-17-1721 he died from black pox. Alexander was devastated after his brother's death. He became very protective and had a bad temper. After many years, Alexander dies at age 61. Before his death he was very successful and had a great life.
As a child he grew up with the privilege of going to school, just not at school. He was home schooled by his father black people going to school is illegal. Even though he was taught how to read and write, he never became quite good at it.

He was a free man, but his father was taken away to be a slave when he was very young. His fathers name was Mark Montgomery and Alexander’s mother was Fray Montgomery. Before Alexander became a slave, he was very poor and didn't really have any money.

Monday, May 12, 2008

jan/24/1731

Dear Journal,
I have been captured by white men today who charged into my house! They grabbed me and chained me up. I was taken onto a ship with millions of others. It is night right now and this place is crowded. There is no where to move. Absolutely none. We are all on top of each other and sometimes men would get into fights because of the small amount of space. I'm so thirsty right now and I have no way of getting it because of there is no space. This is absurd. How dare these people charge into our country and abduct people! Are they going to sell me? Is my master going to be nice? No matter where I go it can’t be worst than here can it?

Alexander Montgomery

Leave

Fly!
Ripple with happiness
soar through the sky without a sigh
fly with hastiness

Escape!
Don't let this place hold you back
you have a knack
this is not the one

Quick!
Don't stay here
its sick
don’t let fear
Hold you back
this place has lacks
hope, trust, love

Leave!

Reflection:
For this poem, I just wrote from the back of my head. I didn't really use any poetic devices. I just tried to make it rhyme and match my theme. I guess this would be a rhyme or lyric poem then because it rhymes. I rhymed the last words and most of the time I would rhyme every two lines. Ex. Happiness, hastiness; sigh, fly; knack, back; quick, sick; here, fear; back and lacks. Writing this poem took about five minutes because it is short.

Monday, May 5, 2008

Glossary

Cotton Gin: A machine made by Eli Whitney that separated the cotton from it's seeds.
Inflammation:redness, swelling, pain, tenderness, heat, and disturbed area of the body. Mostly a reaction of injured tissues.
Hitch:Knots or loops made to attach a rope to something a way so it would be easy to loosen.
Wolverine:Is also called carcajou. It's a carnivorous mammal that usually lives in North America, Is part of the weasel family and has blackish, shaggy hair with some white.
Gunk: Any greasy or sticky residue.

Bibliography

Cambridge, C.S. Perly. Twelve Years a Slave Narrative of Solomon Northup.
Auburn: Harvard College, 1855.

Child, L. Maria. Isaac T. Hopper a True Life.
New York: Dood, Mead & Company, 1881.

Eastburn, John H. The slave or Memoirs of Archy Moore.
Massachusetts: John H Eastburn, 1836.

Loguen, Rev J.W. The Rev J.W. Loguen, as a Slave and as A Freeman. Syracuse N.Y.: Higginson, Rev T.W. 1859.

Nazer, Mende and Damien, Lewis. Slave My True Story.
New York: Harrowing, 1896..
Swan Alfred J. Fighting the Slave Hunters in Central Africa. Philadelphia
J.P. Lippincott Company, 1910.
Stone, Van and Lofton, Baittank. From Slavery and Religion To Freedom. Van Stone Productions Foundation. 2005.
http://www.freeminds.org/african/blacksinhistory.htm.
Lee, Robert E. Slavery. Stratford Hall Plantation. 2002-2006.
http://www.stratfordhall.org/ed-slavery.html.

Yetman, Norman R. Born In Slavery. Federal Writers. 2001.
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/snhtml/.

http://www.jstewart.com/adpd/adpd126s.jpg. (Picture source off Google, only info given)

http://www.scott.k12.va.us/mvermillion/images/
slaves.gif. (picture source off Google; only info given)

http://www.ashcombe.surrey.sch.uk/curriculum/
english/GCSE/Y11/Paper%202%20English/Cluster%
201/Limbo/Slaves%20in%20chains.jpg. (Picture source off Google, only info given)