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Harriet Jacobs: A Beacon of Resistance Against the Darkness of Slavery

Within the fabric of American history, certain narratives rise above the rest, illuminating the darkest corners of our past while shedding light on the indomitable spirit of humanity. Among these luminous stories stands the remarkable tale of Harriet Jacobs, a woman whose life’s journey from bondage to freedom remains an enduring testament to the power of resilience and unwavering determination.

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Harriet Jacobs. Public domain image by Adam Cuerden - Journal of the Civil War Era.
Harriet Jacobs. Public domain image by Adam Cuerden - Journal of the Civil War Era.

By Tamara Shiloh

 

Within the fabric of American history, certain narratives rise above the rest, illuminating the darkest corners of our past while shedding light on the indomitable spirit of humanity.

 

Among these luminous stories stands the remarkable tale of Harriet Jacobs, a woman whose life’s journey from bondage to freedom remains an enduring testament to the power of resilience and unwavering determination.

 

Born into slavery in Edenton, N.C., in 1813, Jacobs was destined to confront the harsh realities of an institution that dehumanized and oppressed millions. Her autobiography, “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl,” transcends mere words on paper, offering an intimate window into her world and the injustices she endured.

 

From her earliest years, Jacobs navigated a labyrinth of pain and injustice. Separated from her parents and raised under the watchful eye of a relatively compassionate mistress, she was afforded a rare opportunity: an education. For an enslaved person, the ability to read and write was not only a forbidden skill but also a potential lifeline to liberation. Harriet seized this opportunity, laying the foundation for her later acts of defiance.

 

Yet, her fate took a darker turn when Dr. James Norcom, her owner, turned into a tormentor. His relentless advances and threats forced Harriet to make a harrowing decision. In a remarkable act of courage, she chose to disappear into the confines of a small attic crawlspace for nearly seven years. In this stifling and claustrophobic hiding place, she documented her experiences, using her newfound literary skills to pen her life story.

 

Jacobs’ narrative stands apart because it exposes not only the brutality of slavery but also the unique suffering endured by enslaved women. Her account sheds light on the pervasive sexual exploitation they faced, and the unimaginable challenges confronted by enslaved mothers who sought to protect their children from the same fate. Through her words, she unmasked the vulnerabilities and resilience of enslaved women.

 

Jacobs eventually found her way to freedom in the North, but her battle was far from over. She transitioned from enslaved woman to abolitionist, standing shoulder to shoulder with prominent figures such as Frederick Douglass and Harriet Beecher Stowe. Her tireless efforts included lecturing, penning articles, and raising funds to support the abolitionist cause.

 

The legacy of Harriet Jacobs endures as a vital part of American history and the ongoing fight for racial justice. Her autobiography continues to resonate today, offering an unvarnished perspective on the horrors of slavery and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

 

In the end, Harriet Jacobs’ life is a testament to unwavering courage, an unbroken spirit that defied the chains of oppression. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that, even in the darkest of times, the human spirit can transcend adversity. Harriet Jacobs, a true American hero, blazed a trail toward freedom and justice that still guides us today, challenging us to confront the injustices of the past and work toward a more equitable future.

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Activism

Oakland Post: Week of June 4 – 10, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of June 4-10, 2025

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Activism

Remembering George Floyd

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Minnesota State Attorney General Keith Ellison acknowledges that the Floyd case five years ago involved a situation in which due process was denied, and five years later, the president is currently dismissing “due process. “The Minnesota Atty General also says, “Trump is trying to attack constitutional rule, attacking congressional authority and judicial decision-making.” George Floyd was an African American man killed by police who knocked on his neck and on his back, preventing him from breathing.

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Mural showing the portrait of George Floyd in Mauerpark in Berlin. To the left of the portrait the lettering "I can't Breathe" was added, on the right side the three hashtags #GeorgeFloyd, #Icantbreathe and #Sayhisname. The mural was completed by Eme Street Art (facebook name) / Eme Free Thinker (signature) on 29 May 2020. (Wikimedia Commons)
Mural showing the portrait of George Floyd in Mauerpark in Berlin. To the left of the portrait the lettering "I can't Breathe" was added, on the right side the three hashtags #GeorgeFloyd, #Icantbreathe and #Sayhisname. The mural was completed by Eme Street Art (facebook name) / Eme Free Thinker (signature) on 29 May 2020. (Wikimedia Commons)

By April Ryan
BlackPressUSA Newswire

“The president’s been very clear he has no intentions of pardoning Derek Chauvin, and it’s not a request that we’re looking at,” confirms a senior staffer at the Trump White House. That White House response results from public hope, including from a close Trump ally, Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. The timing of Greene’s hopes coincides with the Justice Department’s recent decision to end oversight of local police accused of abuse. It also falls on the fifth anniversary of the police-involved death of George Floyd on May 25th. The death sparked national and worldwide outrage and became a transitional moment politically and culturally, although the outcry for laws on police accountability failed.

The death forced then-Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden to focus on deadly police force and accountability. His efforts while president to pass the George Floyd Justice in policing act failed. The death of George Floyd also put a spotlight on the Black community, forcing then-candidate Biden to choose a Black woman running mate. Kamala Harris ultimately became vice president of the United States alongside Joe Biden. Minnesota State Attorney General Keith Ellison prosecuted the cases against the officers involved in the death of Floyd. He remembers,” Trump was in office when George Floyd was killed, and I would blame Trump for creating a negative environment for police-community relations. Remember, it was him who said when the looting starts, the shooting starts, it was him who got rid of all the consent decrees that were in place by the Obama administration.”

In 2025, Police-involved civilian deaths are up by “about 100 to about 11 hundred,” according to Ellison. Ellison acknowledges that the Floyd case five years ago involved a situation in which due process was denied, and five years later, the president is currently dismissing “due process. “The Minnesota Atty General also says, “Trump is trying to attack constitutional rule, attacking congressional authority and judicial decision-making.” George Floyd was an African-American man killed by police who knocked on his neck and on his back, preventing him from breathing. During those minutes on the ground, Floyd cried out for his late mother several times. Police subdued Floyd for an alleged counterfeit $20 bill.

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Oakland Post: Week of May 28 – June 30, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of May 28 – June 3, 2025

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