2019's Harriet marks the first feature film about Harriet Tubman. While great care was taken to present the real Tubman, a few creative liberties were taken, to better illustrate her world and the values she stood for. Here are some of the things Harriet got wrong about Harriet Tubman's life. When Harriet opens, we are introduced to a young woman named "Minty," short for Araminta Ross. Fiery and fearless, it quickly becomes apparent that this is the woman who will become known as Harriet Tubman.
Minty's first major action in the film is escaping her master's plantation. When she ends the harrowing journey, arriving in Pennsylvania as a free woman, she marks the occasion by adopting a new name: Harriet, the first name of her mother, and Tubman, the surname of her husband whom she had to leave behind.
The film uses this scene to emphasize Tubman's commitment to her family, and also introduce audiences to William Still, a black abolitionist and colleague of Tubman's, who records the name change. This was a real, important ritual carried out by many former slaves, later being revived by activists such as Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X.
But the powerful scene never actually happened. While Tubman and Still did really work together, their relationship likely began after Tubman had become a conductor on the Underground Railroad. Additionally, the Harriet Tubman Historical Society says Minty was already going by "Harriet Tubman" by the time she escaped to freedom.
Watch the video to learn more about What Harriet Got Wrong About Harriet Tubman's Life!
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My name is... | 0:19
The mystery of John Tubman | 1:32
Retracing her steps | 2:19
Sparking an escape | 3:09
The visions of Harriet | 4:14
Gideon Brodess | 5:43
Marie Buchanon | 6:48
Bigger Long | 8:11
The Fugitive Slave Act | 9:30
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