Fact: They were involved and sincerely so but most escapes were unaided, and most of those who did provide aid were Black, either free or enslaved --- this is incorrect and something I've been trying to correct for almost two decades now:
Truth: The Underground Railroad was an integrated network, in which both blacks and whites cooperated. At times, it was solely black persons involved and others, just whites. It depended on the geographic location and demographics. Think of the operations of William Still and members of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society, and Sidney Howard Gary and Louis Napoleon. Think of the Boston Vigilance Committee, its leadership mostly white but with strong support from the black community who for the most part harbored the fugitive slaves it helped. Think of Detroit and Chicago, where the leadership was black and whose subordinates were white. Think John Brown white and Harriet Tubman black. It was the first truly integrated organized effort of black and white persons working together for the common good in our nation's history and that is why it is so important, so it can serve as a role model for our country in our effort to end racism in America.
Fact: They were involved and sincerely so but most escapes were unaided, and most of those who did provide aid were Black, either free or enslaved --- this is incorrect and something I've been trying to correct for almost two decades now:
Truth: The Underground Railroad was an integrated network, in which both blacks and whites cooperated. At times, it was solely black persons involved and others, just whites. It depended on the geographic location and demographics. Think of the operations of William Still and members of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society, and Sidney Howard Gary and Louis Napoleon. Think of the Boston Vigilance Committee, its leadership mostly white but with strong support from the black community who for the most part harbored the fugitive slaves it helped. Think of Detroit and Chicago, where the leadership was black and whose subordinates were white. Think John Brown white and Harriet Tubman black. It was the first truly integrated organized effort of black and white persons working together for the common good in our nation's history and that is why it is so important, so it can serve as a role model for our country in our effort to end racism in America.
Tom,
Always good to hear from you. I don't see that my and your comments conflict. Yours does add finer context.
Pete
Thing is though, Peter, you cite Gates but he is not the best source. I know you know better ones to cite. I know a bunch personally myself.