WhatWouldYouDoScenario3

=Back= = Scenario 2 = What really happened  You were walking in the shoes of John Rankin,. Though he was born a southerner, he had always been opposed to slavery. His highly visible home sat solitarily on a hill overlooking Ripley, Ohio, the Ohio River and the neighboring shore of Kentucky in such a way that it became a beacon of hope to runaways. Rankin coordinated a web of supporters in Ripley and neighboring abolitionist and African American communities, ensuring a safe and speedy escape for fugitives. Still, his work was not without risk. Rewards of $2,500 were posted for Rankin’s assassination and his home was attacked on several occasions.  Rankin never knew the name of the woman described in the scenario. However, Harriet Beecher Stowe would name the woman “Eliza” and use stories of Eliza’s extraordinary escape across the frozen Ohio River as a heart-stirring plea for abolition in her book, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” Eliza was hurriedly rushed by Rankin’s sons to another station. Gradually, Eliza made it safely to Canada.

Next: Scenario 3  You were born a slave on a Maryland plantation. After enduring a brutal beating by your master, you inflicted injury upon him in return. Since you knew that to do so would certainly result in further injury, you fled. Through your hard work, you earned a place you could call “your farm” in a northern state. Yet, you were never completely at peace, as you lived in a black community often in fear that slave catchers would kidnap one of your neighbors. With other members of the black community, you’d built a system of communications and pledges to aid others. In fact, your ability to communicate stretched to Philadelphia. Having endured the hardships of slavery, you willingly do your utmost to help others obtain the same freedom you enjoy. While harboring several fugitive slaves, word arrives from Philadelphia that slave catchers are on their way—though you are not exactly certain whom they seek. The year is 1851 and the fugitive slave act is law, making it a crime to shelter fugitives and further criminal to not aide in their capture.  What would you do? 1. Comply with the law. The last thing you want to do is ruffle feathers that could jeopardize your own freedom. 2. Send the fugitive hurriedly on their way, praying that they are not caught in their desperate escape.  3. Like the fugitives, flee or hide yourself, just in case it is you the slave catchers are coming for.  4. Stay at your farm, gathering members of your community who, like you are prepared to fight for freedom.

 On your paper, write the decision you made and why. You must have at least 3 sentences to justify your answer.

 When you are done, click here to see what really happened and to find out about the next scenario.