"It's the answer that led those who've been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day. It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment change has come to America." Barack Obama, November 4, 2008
In her lifetime, Frances E.W. Harper (1825 - 1911) was an abolitionist, activist, speaker, essayist, poet and novelist. If she did not play a direct role in the Underground Railroad herself, she knew people who did. As I walked beside the river on this very bright day, I looked across the river that many fugitive slaves crossed from the US into Canada. I was reminded of a letter Harper wrote in 1867: "... it is well for us to look hopefully to the future-for the shadows bear the promise of a brighter coming day." I'm not sure Harper could have imagined exactly how bright that day would be.
