A Runaway Slave on the Underground Railroad Essay Example for Free

A Runaway Slave on the Underground Railroad Essay The heat here is terrible. Sticky, thick heat that sticks to your skin and clothes and makes it hard to breathe. The mosquitoes only make it worse. They don’t even wait for nightfall to come out anymore, but buzz around all day and torment us out in the cotton fields. I’ve got welts from their bites all up and down my arms and legs, and I’m afraid it won’t be long before there’s a yellow fever epidemic. As you know, it’ll be the babies that go first if that happens, poor little things. Clara just had her fourth last month, and Ether had her third just this week. There’s no rest for them, though. No, they had to be up and in those fields again the very next day after giving birth, carrying their little babies with them. You know we have to work from dawn to dusk, with only a short break to eat in the middle of the day. The overseers are always watching us, always so quick to strike out at us with the whip if they think we’re slacking off or not working hard enough or fast enough. We get so hot and tired and thirsty in those cotton fields, but there’s little in the way of relief except for a barrel of water with a ladle we all get to share from. I wish I was one of the house slaves, then I could be out of this heat and sun beating down on my back. The house slaves are treated a lot better than we are. They get to raise the white children and cook the meals and do the laundry, and become almost a part of the family. Oh, those white children love their black nannies! But I guess I’m not smart enough or pretty enough to be kept in the house. I’ve got another baby on the way, my second. I hope this one lives. I’ve determined to get out of here. I can’t go on like this. I hear there are people who will help. You’re lucky, Aunt, that you had a kind master who gave you your freedom, and that you found a good man to marry and take you up North where you can be free. If I find a way out of here, can I stay with you until I find work and a place to live? I’ve got to go now and take this letter to the house slave from the farm next door who will mail this for me. I can’t let anyone see me go, and I can’t let anyone know I can read and write a letter. That’s illegal here, did you know. Slaves aren’t supposed to be educated. So, I’ve got to sneak over there in cover of darkness. I hope to write to you again soon. Your loving niece, Libby July 17, 1853 Charleston, South Carolina Dear Aunt Betsey, The house slave from next door I told you about, remember him? His name is Milton. He’s the father of my baby, but as you know, slaves aren’t allowed to marry here. Anyway, he tells me he knows some people who will help me escape. They’re good people, he says, white people who hate slavery. They will get me off the plantation and to a safe house somewhere. Then the people at that house will get me to another house, and so on, all the way up to the North. I’m going to tell them that I want to go to my aunt Betsey Martin’s house in New Bedford, Massachusetts. I hope that’s all right. I hear New Bedford has a large population of us colored folks, and that we live right along with the white people there, side by side (McKivigan, 1999). I also hear there are good job opportunities, and that my baby can go to school with the white children. I don’t know when all of this is going to take place, so I can’t give you a time yet that I might be there, if this all works out and I don’t get shot trying to escape, or dragged back here to be whipped nearly to death, or worse. I admit, I’m scared of what might happen, but I have to try, for me and for my baby. Milton says he will follow me, as soon as he can. Your loving niece, Libby September 23, 1853 Ashville, North Carolina Dear Aunt Betsey, Well, I did it! I escaped the plantation. Three nights ago, I snuck over to Milton’s farm like I always do. I had packed a little bundle of most of my belongings that I slung over my shoulder. It wasn’t much. Just one other dress (my good one), some handkerchiefs, a hair brush, and some hard tack to eat, that was all. I knew if all went well, I wouldn’t be coming back. I won’t miss that plantation at all. I have no ties there, as you know. No family, since I was sold from the plantation where my mama and papa and brothers and sisters were 5 years ago. They sold my brothers and sisters at the same time as me, and I have no idea where they went. I guess I should count us lucky we got to stay together until I was 13. Not many slaves are that lucky. I’ve just been living in a cramped cabin with 5 other slave women with no family on the plantation, and they don’t care much what I do. They know I have a beau next door, and they keep quiet about my comings and goings, as most of them have beaus of their own they have to sneak out to see. At Milton’s farm, there were two white men and a white woman waiting inside Milton’s cabin. Milton lives on the edge of the property, near the fence, so no one from the house was likely to see the horses standing outside the cabin, and all the lanterns were blown out to make it extra dark besides. These white people were there to take me to a safe house in North Carolina. They had a horse for me, and some food in a little basket. I said my good-byes to Milton as quickly as I could, and he promised to come to me as soon as I was settled. Then, I got on my horse (I was scared, as I’d never ridden a horse before) and followed the white people on their horses into the woods. In two days, we came to the home of a nice store keeper and his wife, and they hustled me inside, where I’ve been staying in a nice, clean, cool bedroom with a real quilt on the bed and a wash basin to wash my face in the morning and water to drink whenever I want it. The woman of the house even gave me a new dress to wear. I’ve never felt so good, so clean. I’m to stay here until a new group of people comes to take me to the next stop. The woman of the house here said I’m now on the Underground Railroad. That’s what they call these safe houses along the way to the North (â€Å"What Was the Underground Railroad? †, n. d. ). The Underground Railroad. I like the sound of that. It’s the Underground Railroad to freedom. Your loving niece, Libby October 6, 1853 Alexandria, Virginia Dear Aunt Betsey, I think I am getting closer to you. One of the children in my new safe house showed me a map of the United States and showed me where I am now and where you are. On a map, it does not look so far away, but I fear the journey is still many miles yet. There was such a commotion in North Carolina, you would not believe! About a week after I escaped the plantation, a group of armed men came riding through town, putting up signs with a drawing of me on them, announcing a runaway slave and a reward for my return. The woman of the safe house dressed me up as a man, and hid me in her attic until the men had ridden through town, just in case they should come inside looking for me. They did not come in, thanks be to the Lord, but they did ask a the door if anyone had seen me. I was so afraid I would be given up for the reward, but these were good people who were protecting me. I never went outside the house, even to go to the outhouse, so there was never any chance of being seen and recognized by one of the townsfolk (I had a chamber pot for my use, and it was the job of one of the children to empty all the chamber pots every morning). I don’t remember how many days I was in the North Carolina safe house. One night, though, two free black women came to get me, and we walked together into the woods. We walked and walked, sleeping during the day and walking at night when it was easier to be invisible. They told me I was lucky, that most slaves who escaped the plantations didn’t have anyone to help them until they got further north. They said the Underground Railroad didn’t have too many operations in the South, at least not yet, and that most slaves were on their own in getting to that first stop on the Railroad (Blackett, 2002). I was lucky to have Milton, who knew the right people. These free women lived in New York state, but they were former slaves themselves, and they made it their business to help other slaves to escape to freedom like they did. They said they made many runs along the railroad to collect people, like they were doing for me. We must have walked for a week, but I lost track of the exact amount of time. Fortunately, I’m not showing in my pregnancy yet, so I don’t have a huge belly to carry around with me, and I can still run pretty fast when I have to. We’ve been lucky in that we haven’t encountered those men who were looking for me, and the only thing we ever had to run from is the occasional skunk or wild boar. I think god is looking out for me on this journey. We got to the next safe house in Alexandria in the middle of the night, just like before. This time, it was a family of Quakers who took me in. Quakers are some of the most active Christian abolitionists involved in the Railroad (Wallis, 1983). I found that I was not the only slave waiting to be taken North. There were six others waiting, three men, a younger boy who was almost a man, and two women. We stayed all together in the barn, but it was a nice barn, clean and full of sweet-smelling straw for us to lay on, and we were fed three large meals a day. We didn’t have to do any work. The family wanted us to learn a different way of life, one where we didn’t have to do all the work all the time. They wanted us to experience getting waited on. I must admit, it was strange, but it felt strange in North Carolina, too. I liked it, but I think it’s going to take some getting used to before not doing everything myself begins to feel anything less than strange. Your loving niece, Libby

Octopus :: essays research papers

Recently, researchers have discovered the existence of an extremely unique type of octopus. The species, known as the Indo-Malayan octopus, has the ability to alter its shape, form, and color pattern to mimic or imitate other sea creatures in order to avoid predation (2). The discovery of the mimic octopus is noteworthy because no other type of cephalopod is known to have impersonation abilities. The octopus is also not limited to one imitation. Researchers have observed up to eight different formations. The alternations occur depending upon the appetite, surrounding environment, and proximity of predators the octopus encounters (1). In analyzing the formations, behaviors, and predators of the mimic octopus, it is important to isolate the origins of this exclusive, and highly intelligent defense mechanism. Is this means of protection or evolutionary development, one that allows the cephalopod a better means of survival? Or is this the result of observed behaviors where the mimic oct opus becomes aware of the relations occurring in the environment, and successfully imitates a species based upon their ability to subsist when dealing with dangerous predators? The existence of mimic octopi is restricted to the islands of Indonesia, specifically off the coasts off Solawesi, and Bali (3). Surprisingly, the octopi have been viewed during the daylight hours, generally residing near sand tunnels, and holes (1). The octopi enjoy these mounds because they provide a significant source of food, including small worms, fish, and crustaceans. The octopus utilizes its arms to feel for prey, and then captures the food through the use of expanded webs. However, when the animal is attempting to hide itself from possible enemies, the Indo-Malayan octopus can transform itself into a variety of organisms, including fish, sea snakes, and anemones. If the octopus observes a cluster of damselfishes, it will change into a lionfish by swimming above the ocean floor, with arms extended beyond the body (2). The lionfish is known to possess poisonous spikes, which successfully deter the damselfish from preying upon the mimic octopus. Another possible transformation includes the sole fish. The octopus is able to propel itself in a similar manner by forming a leaf-shaped arm that moves it across the ocean floor effortlessly. The octopus's arms are also useful in impersonating the sea snake. Two arms are waved around to appear like a pair of snakes, while the other six are hidden from view. The octopus also changes its color and creates yellow and dark bands across the exposed arms.

Disaster Preparedness Essay

Name: Rivera, Rosalynd L. Prof. Tiongson Student No.: 2012- 78908 August 8, 2013 National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Plan: Disaster Preparedness According to the Word Disaster Report of 2012, The Philippines ranks third of the most disaster-prone countries. Because it is situated on a geologically unstable region and is surrounded by many subduction zones that may cause earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, typhoon and tsunamis, it is impossible to stop natural disasters from hitting our country; all we can do is to manage risks. The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Plan is established to become the basis of programs and proposals to help make the communities be disaster resilient and has four areas of responsibility that are interlinked, supporting each other. One of these key priorities of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Plan is disaster preparedness. It aims to increase the level of awareness of the communities to the threats and impacts of all hazards and risks, to equip the community with necessary skills to cope with the negative effects and to increase capacity of institutions. One of the main goals of disaster preparedness is to increase the level of awareness of the communities to the threats and impacts of all hazards and risks. This is due to some Filipino’s lack of knowledge about the geographical situation of the country and that probably, only a few knows the reasons why the Philippines gets hit by natural disasters very often. Some families may live in a geologically unstable location or near a water body that might be hit by natural hazards any time, but how do they know? Unless somebody is going to disseminate information regarding the threats and risks, Filipinos will continue to know nothing about how can these affect their lives. When the people’s level of awareness is increased, they  will be more prepared; they will know how to reduce the risks and how to react during calamities. The Philippine Information Agency together with its implementing partners, AFP, CHED, DEPED, DOH, PAGASA, and PHIVOLCS develops and implements Information, Education and Communication campaigns and programs both locally and nationwide. For example, the Bagyo,Lindol, Tsunami, and Baha or the BLTB Project of DOST-PAGASA, a part of PAGASA’s greater campaign against natural disasters which aims to â€Å"do away with the technical side of natural hazards and instead provide the public with clearer, more simplified explanations so they will have a stronger grasp of these calamities and be better prepared† was launched on July 23, 2013 partly in an animated audio-visual presentation. This way, people will easily understand these calamities thus letting them be more prepared when disasters strike. To help strengthen the disaster preparedness of the society, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Plan also aims to equip the communities with necessary skills and capability to cope with the impacts of the disaster. This serves as the second step towards the effective disaster preparedness because information dissemination is not enough. Filipinos need to be trained for them to know what proper measures are to be undertaken before, during and after a calamity. Through the coordination of Department of Interior and Local Government, the Office of Civil Defense and other government agencies like the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development and Philippine National Police, various activities and programs such as, trainings and simulation exercises in disaster preparedness and response, integration of DRRM and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) to school curricula and establishment of DRRM trainin g institutes to conduct education, training, research and publication programs were developed and implemented to accomplish the target outputs. For example, in eastern Visayas, the principles of disaster preparedness are now fully included in the curriculum of secondary and tertiary levels and in addition, other approaches like the preparation of modules in disaster preparedness used in Alternative Learning System (ALS) and the expansion of the focus of the  Citizen Army training (CAT) for high school seniors on civic work, community service and law enforcement training are also undertaken. As a part of this program, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, releases guides on earthquake preparedness to reduce the impacts. Lastly, the disaster preparedness program of the DRRMP also identified the increase of capacity of institutions as one of its priorities. The support of government and non-government sectors are necessary to equip the community with essential skills to cope with the effects of a disaster so that people will have emotional stability, too. The Department of Interior and Local Government through the help of other government agencies leads actions such as: accreditation of Non-Government Organizations, development of local DRRM plan, administration of risk assessments, contingency planning, knowledge management and training activities, inventory of resources, stockpiling and prepositioning of resources and establishment of DRRM Operations Center to ensure self-reliant and operational DRRM councils and fully-functioning, adequately staffed and financially capable local DRRM offices. In the present, the local government collaborates with NGOs for better implementation of disaster manageme nt and preparedness programs, these organizations engage more in advocacy and legal support for populations facing increased risk because of development projects and environmental destruction. In conclusion, the disaster preparedness priority area of the NDRRMP offers strategic actions that help people to improve their awareness and understanding through information dissemination, contingency planning, and conduct of drills and development of natural disaster management plans. However, to ensure these services and operations, the other three key priority areas must be properly handled too because they work as a whole. Revisions on the NDRRMP are to be made depending on the observations of concerned sectors to achieve the goals in the most effective way. The Philippines have very good established disaster preparedness plans and in fact, it is considered as one of the well-prepared countries when it comes to natural disasters. The goals and activities presented above are very important because not only properties but lives will be destroyed if people  will neglect disaster preparedness and it also show that both authorities and the community must actively participate for t hese plans to work and for the people to attain better security.

The Conduct Of Aristotle And Domestic Violence - 2389 Words

Zulma Aguirre 6/04/2015 Philosophy 3301 The conduct of Aristotle and Domestic Violence Today’s topic will be about the ethical issue of the ‘right and wrong conduct† (Wikipedia) of domestic violence. I will be addressing the ethical theory of Aristotle in two forms, how to control our actions and our habits in life. What Aristotle explains in his ethical writings is to find the habitual mode of action that results in a life well lived. Including intellectual activity which is family, and friendship to have moral excellence. I will argue how Aristotle theory is correct by comparing an animal and a human being, doing so it will show you how we can control our actions; and how good habits in life can change us to be a better virtues person and help us in life to better control our actions. Finally, I will argue against people thoughts about domestic violence and what they can use Aristotle theory to defend this act. 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