In the Field: Photo Blog by Richard Wong

Photography field reports by Richard Wong. Richard’s work has been published in magazines, books, advertising, and offers fine art prints of his work. Images may be licensed as rights-managed stock photos by contacting Richard directly at Richard@rwongphoto.com or (626) 422-6151. California stock photography, fine art prints, photo blog: www.rwongphoto.com

The Underground Railroad

Posted on | July 23, 2006 | 3 Comments

Raggonnon Hanging Textile Detail at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Museum, Cincinnati, Ohio

Yesterday I went to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. Originally my plans were to just go see the Newport Aquarium on the Kentucky side of the river, but then I read a little more into what else is in Cincinnati and found the Freedom Center to be of interest. I’m glad I went. The museum is top notch and I ended up staying for 3.5 hours reading all the displays, artwork and doing the interactive stuff. Oprah Winfrey’s movie was quite disturbing to watch as it was about the Underground Railroad. It’s mind-boggling at how narrow-minded society was in those days. In many ways, you could argue it’s still the same nowadays when it comes to segregation and opportunities for minorities.

The museum covered the history of slavery in an interesting manner. The facts were there, but concise enough to keep it interesting. Not only was African-American slavery covered, Native Americans were covered as well. I learned that President Andrew Jackson was strongly anti-Indian and started the movement to conquer the continent. He started at first by duping the Native Americans, then killing once resistance was met. President William Henry Harrison is also generally portrayed as some sort of war hero in the history books, but look at how he earned his reputation. His reputation was primarily based on killing the Indians at the Battle of Tippecanoe and the War of 1812. The textbooks make the Native Americans seem like the bad guys, so of course Harrison comes across as a hero. But put those sorts of stories in the context of the Freedom Center, and it’s a sobering reminder of the history of our country.

There are museums you go to for entertainment, and others you go for enlightenment. The Freedom Center is definitely enlightening to say the least. I’d recommend it to everyone.

See more of my midwest pictures.

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Comments

3 Responses to “The Underground Railroad”

  1. Gloria Hopkins
    January 14th, 2008 @ 2:50 am

    I know this is a really old post (didn’t see it until you referred me to your ‘1st Amendments rights’ tag today!), but it resonates with me.

    I went to a slavery museum in Baton Rouge and by the time I left there I was depressed and nearly in tears, but I was glad that I went. Among all the other atrocities committed these people, what struck me hardest was that some were forced to wear ‘cages’ on their heads, with bells, so that they were easily tracked. We don’t even treat animals like that.

    And don’t get me started on the early “leaders” of this *now* great country. Many of them are now considered monsters, as well they should be. Jackson was one of the biggest, and he had no soul.

  2. Richard
    January 14th, 2008 @ 10:33 am

    Thanks Gloria. Crazy about the cages. never heard of that. I don’t think all the people were like that back in the day but it certainly isn’t all wine and roses either like how they spin the story in the textbooks.

  3. Richard
    January 14th, 2008 @ 10:41 am

    here’s the Andrew Jackson wikipedia article. truly despicable man. Andrew Jackson

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