Hundreds of years ago, slaves were taken from Africa and shoved into the cargo hold of a small ship. They were packed in the ship by the thousands, body to body, like books on a bookshelf. There was scarcely room to talk, move, or let alone breathe. After about two months, the ship docked. By then, many of the slaves were dead or very sick from disease. The healthy ones were sold at auction, often ripping families apart, sending each member far far away from each other. Even the babies and children were sold! They were sent far away from each other so they could not send one another secret messages.

This is where the book "Follow the Drinking Gourd" by Jeanette Winters comes in. This book was about a man named Peg-leg Joe helping slaves escape to free areas. He would teach the slaves a song called "Follow the Drinking Gourd." The slave owners thought this song was harmless... but they were very wrong. The song gave the slaves clues on how to escape.

One day, a man named James and a woman named Molly were spending their last day together. Suddenly, Molly remembered the song that Peg-leg Joe taught them. So Molly and James took their son Isaiah and escaped. When they came over the last hill, the great Ohio River lingered ahead. Peg-leg Joe sat in a boat, ready to take Molly, James and Isaiah to the other side of the river. From there, Molly, James and Isaiah took the Underground Railroad to Canada. They finally had freedom!

Also in this "Reading Rainbow" episode, there was an African-American singing group that kept African slave songs alive. They sang very old songs, like "Run, Mona, Run." One of the women from the group Sweet Honey in the Rock was interviewed on what she thought freedom was. She said, "Freedom is your birthright. No one can take it away from you. Freedom means going where you want, wearing what you want, and being who you truly are. No one can ever take it away from you." I thought this was a very powerful statement.

This movie helped me understand that slavery was very real... long, long ago.  I hope it helps you in the same way.
-poser101