The Film: Interview Transcripts: Karen James

Karen James, historian, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, on
ordinary people
The Underground Railroad is small part of a much larger movement, a movement that would bring about the abolition of slavery.  The Underground Railroad isn’t about trap doors, or secret rooms or hidden tunnels.  The Underground Railroad is about the struggle to end slavery and how basic ordinary people did extraordinary things when faced with basic human needs.

The Underground Railroad gives us an opportunity to unite American history.  It's not white history, it's not black history, it's the history of this country.  It also gives us an opportunity to see how important ordinary people can be in changing the world and creating extraordinary events.

the legacy of Hamilton Waters

role of black sailors