My Role Model: Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman was a black woman born into slavery, in Maryland, around 1820. Throughout her life as a slave she managed to find a way to escape her owner and eventually led others into freedom. She became an American Abolitionist and Political Activist where she fought for the freedom of slaves and the rights of African Americans. On March 10, 1913, Tubman passed away, due to pneumonia, at age 91. Harriet Tubman played a huge role in slavery being abolished.

Tubman has obtained the title of a role model due to her developing from a slave to an Abolitionist and Political Activist. In Maryland, from 1850-1858, Tubman was able to make 19 trips throughout the Underground Railroad. She risked her life to save about 300 slaves in total without being caught or losing a single passenger. Despite all of the risks that were present, nothing stopped Tubman from reaching success. According to the American Library, “There was a bounty offered for her capture because she was a fugitive slave herself, and she was breaking the law in slave states by helping other slaves escape.” Tubman went on to free slaves without hesitation and even managed to save her own brother and his family. If she was caught the consequences would vary between being killed or enslaved. With all of this at risk, nothing stopped Harriet from fighting.

From a young age, Harriet knew that she wanted freedom and the ability to help others. Being born as a slave, she witnessed first hand how cruel the acts of slavery were and became devoted into finding a way to escape. She used the Underground Railroad as an escape route where she traveled miles to the north. In order to be more like Harriet Tubman one must develop traits of determination and bravery. One must be determined to do all it takes in order to pursue their dreams and fill their desires. With this determination comes bravery because along the way to success there are risks that must be taken and one will have to be brave enough to take them. According to Kenyatta D. Berry, Harriet Tubman was known as “Moses of her people because like Moses she helped people escape from slavery.” Throughout her life she pursued many careers such as a conductor for the Underground Railroad, a scout, a spy, a soldier, and nurse, all as a black woman. Harriet Tubman has helped African Americans and people of color gain the equality and freedom present to them today.

My Role Model: My Uncle

There are many people in my life who inspire me to be the best person I can be, but the person who has impacted my life the most and deserves the title of a role model would definitely be my uncle. My uncle and I were very close in age, only about 5 years apart, which helped us create a very strong bond. I was always at my grandmother’s house so I spent time with both him and my aunt often. As I grew older, I found myself in situations where it would be very difficult to complete tasks that were important. If it wasn’t for him, I do not believe I would be doing as good as I am now. Unfortunately, just as we were closer than we have ever been in our lives, he got into a really bad accident and passed away.

Throughout my uncle’s teenage years he became caught up with the wrong group of people which led him to make poor decisions. Around the age of 19, he opened his eyes and realized he needed to do better. Everyone doubted him and didn’t believe he could better himself, but he proved everyone wrong. He started taking school more seriously, got a couple of jobs, and even began starting his own business. My uncle showed me that despite the severity of the situation you may be in, everything will get better with hard work. He taught me that I will never reach success if I do not work hard enough and also the importance of education. I was also shown that once you hit rock bottom the only place you can go is up.

To me, my uncle isthe best role model anyone could ever ask for. The lessons he taught me still affect the choices I make today. When I find myself in tough situations and feel like giving up I always think of him and how he always taught me to keep pushing forward. I try my best in my decision making to ensure that the outcome will be something he is proud of. Lastly, I always make sure I am giving him something to happily look down on from heaven.

Fred Dean, Pronounced Dead

Fred Dean was a very talented NFL player who was a part of the San Diego 49ers. On October 14, 2020, Fred Dean unfortunately passed away due to the coronavirus at the age of 68. According to his former teammate, , Dean was hospitalized and placed on a ventilator in intensive care. That Wednesday, he was pronounced dead in his home state of .

Fred Dean was a loving father, son, husband, and huge inspiration to many people. There are 5 children who survive him and a wife who does so as well. Dean helped lead his team into two victories in 1982 and 1985. Dean was a for an entire decade. He was a two-time first team All-Pro and a four-time Pro Bowler. In 2008, Dean was added into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame.

To honor Fred Dean, the players of the 49ers wore their helmets with #74 decals to their game against the Rams. Fred Dean is not the only celebrity who has passed away due to Covid-19, there have been many more passings due to this devastating virus.