Foner Eric: Author of "Gateway to Freedom"
Foner Eric is the author of the book "Gateway to Freedom: The Hidden History of the Underground Railroad." The monograph provides a more thorough historical analysis of slavery and independence in America.
The Underground Railroad: Dispelling Myths
The author masterfully reassembles the earlier accounts of the Underground Railroad by offering outstanding proof of the various systems that were put in place to aid fugitive slaves. As a result, he dispels some of the falsehoods, exaggerations, and misinformation that have circulated in the public for more than 150 years. (Foner 305).
Pulitzer Prize Winner
As a result of his significant contributions to current academic debates about the Underground Railroad, he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize.
Augmenting a Magisterial Account
Moreover, the book augments his 1988 magisterial account which advocated for racial justice after the Civil War. Notably, the author succeeds in introducing and discussing the challenges and functions of the Underground Rail within a broader context of abolition movements in the City of New York and some northeastern regions (Foner 155).
Fugitive Slaves and the Secession Crisis
Additionally, the study presents Foner's thesis on the role of fugitive slaves in instigating the 1850s' secession crisis. He debates that since the Underground Railroad contributed significantly to the politics of freedom and slavery in colonial America, these fugitives, activists, resistors, and abolitionists should be involved in all discussions pertaining to the origin of the Civil War.
The New York Vigilance Committee
The New York Vigilance Committee was initiated in 1835 and comprised of both white abolitionists and free blacks such as Ruggles David in the city. Throughout the 1840s, the movement collaborated with the North to dispatch runaway slaves secretly from the upper south. Eventually, this Underground Railroad network assisted over 3000 escapees until the Civil War outbreak in 1861 to 1865.
Unearthing the Truth about the Underground Railroad
The author suggests that there was more to the Underground Railroad definition than mere aiding the runaways. Most of these activities were "not underground at all" (Foner 15). The author notes that some of the abolitionist groups kept little or no secrets about aiding the fugitives. He submits that numerous efforts were made to defend these slaves in courts, finance escape activities, and raise money to buy their freedom through fundraisers, bake sales, and donation parties (Foner 156). Also, statesmen openly advocated for legal and political actions against slavery.
Access to Recorded Evidence
Unlike many authors, Foner managed to access recorded evidence from Howard Sydney Gay, who is an editor at the National Anti-Slavery Standard. For years, Gay was actively involved in the Underground Railroad operations and managed to take note of about 200 fugitive activities in New York. Secondly, the author augments his work with more input from the chronicles of Still William on fugitives who went through Philadelphia. William was a son of an escapee as well as a Philadelphian Vigilance Committee's leader. Thirdly, unlike Colson Whitehead's book "The Underground Railroad," which praises renowned activists such as Harriet Tubman, Foner looks at other characters like Louis Napoleon who perhaps had more input (Foner 106). While Johnson took more professional approaches such as pushing for policy formulation and taking up social work aimed at ending poverty, Foner and Whitehead's books advocated for warfare to end the slavery in New York (Stuart 2013).
The Modification of the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act
Following the modification of the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act, which was meant to strengthen the existing legislation, the Southern states felt that the law was not adequately enforced. First, the Act gave the Northern government the power to force citizens and the local authorities to assist in recapturing fugitive slaves (Foner 104). This affected the initial mass movement of slaves to the North since it meant that it was riskier to land there. Also, recaptured escapees would face even harsher penalties. These efforts, however, failed significantly. According to Foner, "The Fugitive Slave Law reinvigorated and radicalized the underground railroad" (104). Canada offered homage to the black slaves and gave them the freedom to live wherever they desired and run in elections. These escapees established themselves in the country and aided incoming fugitives also to settle down.
Concluding Thoughts
In conclusion, Foner's Gateway to Freedom succeeds in presenting a more detailed and evidence-based account of the historical slavery and struggle for freedom (Foner 305). Further, he manages to bring new characters on board, such as Louis Napoleon, and highlights their significant role in the underground railroad. Such individuals enable him to highlight his thesis regarding the controversial secession crisis in the 1850s. The author argues that since the fugitive slaves participated in ending slavery, they should be actively involved in the national debates concerning the sources of Civil Wars. Although Foner presents warfare as the destructive force of Slavery in America, he also suggests a courageous way of fighting against slavery. This tactic entails "practical abolition" which involves individuals and families assisting each other despite their past differences or previous relationships. On that note, Foner seems to reach out to the modern-day United States society to put their racial differences aside and unite to build the nation. The book is recommended for the public use because it gives readers a vivid, inspiring, and humanly account of the historic Underground Railroad (Foner 156).
References
:Foner, E. (2015). Gateway to Freedom: The hidden history of America's fugitive slaves, 1-301.
Stuart, P. H. (2013). Social Work Profession: History. Encyclopedia of Social Work. doi:10.1093/acrefore/9780199975839.013.623
