Pursuing the Unifying Spirit Behind the Underground Railroad Through Poetry

By Debbie Allen and Patricia Thrushart, Cofounders, Poets Against Racism & Hate USA

PARH USA is thrilled to collaborate with the Ohio Poetry Association (OPA) and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center to include poetry in the celebration of International Underground Railroad Month.

The Underground Railroad was the network used through the mid-19th century by African Americans seeking freedom from enslavement. These freedom seekers were aided in their self-emancipation by individuals—both Black and White and even Native American—offering food, safe resting places, money, goods, and assistance with travel. In short, the Underground Railroad was the first sweeping social justice movement to occur in the United States. It is a phenomenon that everyone in our country should view as inspiration in the fight for social justice that continues today.

Some estimates indicate that more than 100,000 enslaved people made their way to freedom via the Underground Railroad during the first half of the 19th century. Among that group were two of the most famous freedom seekers—Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman—who, it is said, both arrived in free states during the month of September (in 1838 and 1849, respectively). For this reason, September was chosen to be International Underground Railroad Month.

Many consider the Underground Railroad only within its U.S. context, yet September has been designated as International Underground Railroad Month. This designation recognizes the reality that other nations have a stake in the legacy of the Underground Railroad. Those fleeing the bonds of enslavement in the United States found refuge and settled not only in northern free states but also in the commonly sought destination of Canada as well as in Mexico, Florida (under Spanish control at the time), Caribbean islands, and Europe. Many of the official proclamations by states that have acknowledged September as International Underground Railroad Month express appreciation for “those from around the world” who have committed themselves to exploring, documenting, and communicating the history of the Underground Railroad.

Events occurring at the Cincinnati-based National Underground Railroad Freedom Center during September include the museum’s Fifth Third Community Day on September 10. On that day, PARH USA and OPA will present social justice poetry workshops and a reading featuring local poets such as Cincinnati Poet Laureate Yalie Saweda Kamara. We’ll also share a community fair exhibitor table where we’ll provide information about our organizations and help children create a collaborative poem titled “River to Freedom.” On September 8, leading up to the events at the Freedom Center, pairs of poets will recite historic and contemporary social justice poetry over the lunch hour on downtown Cincinnati street corners. For comprehensive information about our International Underground Railroad Month activities, visit the event details page on OPA’s website.

Those involved in the Underground Railroad and many others were on the altruistic side of history before and during the Civil War. Such dedication continued through the reconstruction and civil rights eras that followed. However, we now live in a time when too many are moving away from that deep concern for others known as altruism. Structural racism persists, and if some have their way, will be bolstered versus dismantled as time goes on. The unifying spirit behind the Underground Railroad is what we hope to pursue and promote through the poetry-based activities we’ll offer this month. We encourage you to tap your own creativity and take action in your own way to include poetry in International Underground Railroad Month!

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