Consider This from NPR How The Underground Railroad Got Its Name
Feb 26, 2024
Scott Shane, a journalist and author of "Flee North," dives into the fascinating origins of the term 'Underground Railroad.' He reveals how Thomas Smallwood, a forgotten hero of the abolition movement, coined this phrase while critiquing slaveholders. Shane explores Smallwood's daring activism and the significant risks abolitionists faced. He also highlights how satire played a key role in raising awareness and notes the systemic racism that obscured Smallwood's remarkable contributions, prompting a reevaluation of historical narratives surrounding liberation efforts.
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The Name's Origin
- Journalist Scott Shane discovered the Underground Railroad's naming origin while researching his book.
- The name originated with Thomas Smallwood, a formerly enslaved activist and writer.
Smallwood's Story
- Thomas Smallwood, born into slavery in 1801, purchased his freedom and became a shoemaker.
- He organized escapes from slavery, transporting people in wagons to the North.
Smallwood's Writings
- Scott Shane's research, using digitized newspaper databases, revealed Smallwood's use of "Underground Railroad."
- Smallwood's satirical dispatches mocked slaveholders, using the term to highlight their ineptitude.
