Women's History Month, Tribute to Harriet Tubman

"I had reasoned this out in my mind. There was one of two things I had a right to-liberty or death. If I could not have one, I would have the other." -Harriet Tubman

Whenever I'm asked who my hero or role model is, I give the same response every time. For a non-blood related hero, it's Harriet Tubman. Today's society gives so much credit to folks who appear to be tough and the boss, but some don't pay enough attention to our history to see who the really strong people are. There are kids who idolize gangsta rappers, movie gangsters and the thugged-out guy on the corner who is protecting a block he doesn't own and killing for an irrational principle, and none of these people have anything on the strength of Harriet "Moses" Tubman. Tubman's strength was used for positive purposes, the real ride or die woman, and she "never ran my train off the track, and I never lost a passenger." I'd love to hear a rapper or a brother hanging out by the mailbox talk about how fly Tubman is as opposed to Scarface or Kaiser Souzai or Frank Lucas. Coolio is the only hip hop artist I've ever heard mention Harriet Tubman in song, although we oftentime hear about African-American male historical figures.

To escape slavery, go back to her slave plantation 19 times, free over 300 African slaves and risk the danger of being narcoleptic is the most outstanding achievement I've ever heard of. How selfless can one person be? But yet, I seldom see plays, musicals or statues honoring her, although she is referenced in many African-American history books. I don't know why Tubman (1820-1913) gets glossed over so much when other African-American women are highlighted in films and museums, but I still remember how fascinating a tribute to Harriet Tubman was.

I saw the tribute last year, on Sat., Jun. 27, at Rogers Park Library, although she travels all over the country to schools and theaters. Thespian Anna M. Johnson-Webb dressed up in full attire (all in green and black) in what looked like a ragged dress and a bag hanging over her shoulder. I'd never seen anyone play Harriet Tubman, so I wasn't sure what to expect or whether it would be believable, but as soon as Johnson-Webb stood up with a stick being used as a cane and belted out "Wade in the Water," I got a chill.

Johnson-Webb, nicknamed Momma Kemba, told the story of Tubman in a little under a half n' hour, with her drummer grandson, Beji. He rocked those drums, too. With a heavy accent, while Beji played the drums, Momma Kemba told the story of Tubman-how she learned a fair share of English, the betrayal in Tubman's marriage with John Tubman and how Tubman escaped. Other songs she performed included "Glory, Glory Hallelujah (Lay My Burden Down)" and "Steal Away," in addition to an unfamiliar song that required the audience to make train noises, my favorite of all.

After the performance, she talked about her history as a performer: born in Mississippi in 1940 and performing since she was five years old, Momma Kemba travels worldwide with her grandson to represent several African-American female icons, including her first character, Mary McLeod-Bethune. She also dresses and plays the part of Aunt Clara Brown, Sojourner Truth, Ida B. Wells-Barnett and Fannie Lou Hamer.

What I love about her acting is she engages the crowd with her eyes, points to people directly and watches your mouth to make sure you're singing along. The Rogers Park audience was small-approximately 16 people-and every single person who didn't come missed out on a phenomenal performance. Momma Kemba joked about performing nationwide in schools, churches, colleges, prisons and "at weddings and during divorce." No matter where she goes, I'm sure her audience leaves entertained, educated and inspired.