Black History

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.

Published

12 months ago

October 10, 2023

Oakland Post

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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Black History

From Louisville to the Olympics: The Legacy of William DeHart Hubbard

William DeHart Hubbard, born on November 25, 1903, in Cincinnati, Ohio, was a trailblazing figure in American sports history. Hubbard grew up in Cincinnati. While attending Walnut Hills High School he excelled in academics and athletics. This earned him a scholarship to the University of Michigan in 1921, where he studied in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. In college, he quickly made a name for himself as an exceptional track and field athlete.

Published

6 days ago

October 1, 2024

Oakland Post

William DeHart Hubbard made history in 1924 when Hubbard made Olympic history by winning the Gold Medal in the long jump. Public Domain.

By Tamara Shiloh

William DeHart Hubbard, born on November 25, 1903, in Cincinnati, Ohio, was a trailblazing figure in American sports history.

Hubbard grew up in Cincinnati. While attending Walnut Hills High School he excelled in academics and athletics. This earned him a scholarship to the University of Michigan in 1921, where he studied in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. In college, he quickly made a name for himself as an exceptional track and field athlete.

Hubbard was the only African American on the school’s track team; he was also the first African American varsity track letterman at the university. In his college career, Hubbard won several meets including being a three-time National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) champion, eight-time Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) champion, and seven-time Big Ten Conference champion in track and field. His 1925 outdoor long jump of 25 feet 10¹⁄₂ inches stood as the Michigan Wolverines team record until 1980, and it is still second. His 1925 jump of 25 feet 3.5 inches stood as a Big Ten Championships record until Jesse Owens broke it in 1935 with what is now the current record of 26 feet 8.25 inches.

In 1924, he was selected to represent the United States at the Paris Summer Olympics.

Competing against some of the best athletes in the world, Hubbard made history by winning the gold medal in the long jump by jumping 24 feet 5.5 inches. This victory made him the first African American to win an individual gold medal in the history of the modern Olympic Games.

In 1925, Hubbard broke the long jump world record with a leap of 25 feet 10⁷⁄₈ inches at the NCAA championships. In 1927, he bettered that with a jump of 26 feet 2.25 inches — which would have been the first ever over 26 feet — but meet officials disallowed it, claiming that the take-off board was an inch higher than the surface of the landing pit. He also competed in the hurdles at the 1926 AAU championships. He graduated with honors in 1927.

He specialized in the long jump, a sport that would soon bring him international fame.

Hubbard’s Olympic success was not just a personal triumph but a milestone for African Americans in sports. His victory challenged the prevailing stereotypes of the time and inspired a generation of Black athletes to pursue their dreams in the face of adversity.

After his Olympic success, he continued to excel in track and field. He set an additional world record in 1925 with a jump of 25 feet 10.75 inches, which stood for several years. His accomplishments were not limited to athletics, as he also became involved in civic and business endeavors after his graduation from the University of Michigan in 1927.

Following his athletic career, Hubbard returned to his hometown of Cincinnati, where he took on various roles serving his community and the progress of African Americans. He worked as a manager for the Department of Colored Work for the Cincinnati Public Recreation Commission and later became a race relations adviser for the Federal Housing Administration.

Hubbard passed away on June 23, 1976. As the first African American to win an individual Gold Medal in the Olympics, he not only paved the way for future generations of athletes but also demonstrated the profound impact that sports can have on societal change.