Kathryn Harris interviewed as Harriet Tubman

Published 2016-03-08
For a complete interview with Kathryn Harris including transcripts, an abstract, and donated photos see the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Oral History Website at: goo.gl/XJD6lW

Kathryn Harris began reenacting Harriet Tubman in the late 1990s, and does so in this interview. Harriet talks about her experiences as a ‘conductor’ for the antebellum Underground Railroad. Over a period of roughly ten years, Tubman made nearly a score of trips to the slave states to lead slaves to freedom in the north, risking her own life and freedom each time she went south. Harris has portrayed Tubman countless times, both to adult and children’s groups, and at the conclusion of the interview, she discusses how this experience has enriched her own life

All Comments (21)
  • Excellent presentation! I am 72 and went to college for 7 years and I learned more listening to this than many semester long classes.
  • @Charlie19508
    Just landed on this video by mistake, that was 24 minutes ago I’m hooked! This should be shown in schools everywhere, this is true history!
  • This was a master piece couldn’t have been any better, I enjoyed every bit of it. Well done Ms. Harris.
  • @jcearnhardt393
    This lady deserves a academy award for this performance. Her knowledge, preparation is unbelievable,
  • @lilredclp9959
    She is so spunky and smart! I just love her!!!! ❤️
  • I live in Maryland and have seen markers stating parts of the Underground Railroad routes. I grew up in Philadelphia, PA and we were not told this information in our school. Now I am going to take time and go to visit her route sites I can find. Thank you for posting this. This actress is so believable. Best re -enactment .... Tony or Oscar award worthy in my opinion.
  • @Aangel452
    What a wonderful respectful interview. I can’t imagine how completely depressive it must have been to be a slave in those days. As you said Kathryn, one could not be your own person or be allowed to think for yourself, have your own space or any of the freedoms that is humanities birthright.
    Harriet was so courageous to have made that leap of faith for freedom, and then to go back and help others escape over the years. She was here for a heavenly purpose, and her legacy is still fulfilling that role.
    Great documentary that opens our eyes to the hardships, struggles and fight for freedom amongst slavery in our history. 😇
  • @mocha6767
    She deserves an award for her portrayal of Hariette. I enjoyed listening to this. Live free or die. I never knew she went as far as Georgia.
  • @justsohappy2494
    I have learned more about Harriet Tubman in this 1:44.27 minutes than I ever learned in school. I felt like I was actually in this era. Love this!
  • The least the media organizations could've done was recognize this lady actress a national recognition award for allowing us to be with her in a time machine to listen to an actual, living, breathing person who had experienced life in those slavery days.
    Just like life, she delivered it with emotional mixture but with a dominance of toughness, conviction and human spirit to be FREE !
  • I am from in the uk and had never heard of Harriet Tubman before so I found this so interesting and quite heartbreaking. But I’ll say this I’ve seen films getting Oscar’s that couldn’t hold a candle to this and the performance this lady give. Harriet Tubman was an angel here on earth and I’m sure the slaves she brought to freedom must have been grateful to her all their lives. I don’t know but I hope she has been recognised with some sort of tribute to this wonderful woman. God bless her. 🙏🏻
  • @inden301
    I was absolutely glued to my seat as I watched this video. This should be manditory watching in our schools. Ms. Harris did an incredible job portraying and conveying the history of Harriet Tubman. I felt I went back in time envisioning Ms. Tubmans adventures and way of life. To really know the true history of what happened. Please keep spreading the message. Harriet Tubman is truly an American hero. Thank you, thank you Ms. Harris. I am grateful for your work. You are awesome.
  • @MarthaRae1
    This was such a blessing to watch. My youngest daughter who just passed away in December 2021 loved reading about Harriett Tubman and hearing her story would have loved seeing this video.
  • Academy awards to this lady. EXCELLENT performance. I felt like I was right there watching in the story. The interviewer was also great! I learned so much more than I did in school. Thank you for putting this film out. I look forward meeting her in Heaven.
  • Wow, you can actually see it in your mind what she is saying to us. I wish some of us could wake up back in the 18th century and be reminded of what we went through to have what we have today. God bless you Harriet.
  • I'm from Brazil I was flying back to us,and I thank God for the opportunity to watch the movie.
  • @elisabos6570
    My middle son introduced Harriet tubman's autobiography to me, when i was in my earlier thirties , after reading about her, i found that it was one of the best educational gifts I've ever gotten .Thanks for sharing this interview.
  • I love how she noted the word and took it into her vocabulary. Sometimes it isn’t about being “ stupid”, it’s all about resources. I love how she speaks and admire her drive.

    Edit : I don’t personally believe this is Harriet Tubman , never said I did. My point was toward how it was represented. That resources can allow people to gain knowledge of course and that some that are considered “ stupid” just don’t have or have been withheld from those resources .. such as the woman she’s pretending to be.
  • Bravo! An amazing presentation. This lady is so believable in her representation of Ms. Turman. I learned a lot!