Abolitionist Harriet Tubman and Moral Conscience

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Introduction

Christian values and virtues are significant when individuals are faced with moral dilemmas of helping their communities or not. Harriet Tubman was one of the people who led the abolitionist movement in the U.S. Harriet Tubman’s family was subjected through cruel treatments by the slave owners. The unethical behaviors of the slave masters led to the death of many slaves and separation of families. Consequently, Harriet Tubman chose to escape and help others to end slavery regardless of the consequences. Therefore, the main ethical issue in Harriet Tubman’s life was whether her aggressive actions against the slavery regime were morally justified or not. Although many people died due to Harriet Tubman’s resistance against slavery, her actions played a crucial role in liberating the African Americans.

Brief Harriet Tubman’s Autobiography

The African American community is known for its abolitionist movement in the epoch of slavery. Harriet Tubman is one of the famous abolitionists who helped the community liberate itself from the colonial and slave masters (Chism, 2022). Harriet Tubman was born Araminta Ross on 10^th March 1882 to enslaved parents, Harriet “Rit” Green and Ben Ross (Field, 2021). Her mother was enslaved by Mary Pattison while the father was enslaved by Antony Thompson. Her father’s master owned a large plantation near the Blackwater River in Dorchester County, Maryland (Davis, 2021). Although historians state that Harriet Tubman’s birth year was 1882, it is controversial whether the date is accurate. Harriet Tubman was among the many slaves’ children whose birth records were not prioritized by the slave masters.

Many slaves in the U.S. were imported from Africa, and Tubman’s ancestors are believed to be of African origin. Her grandmother, Modesty, was shipped from Africa, but little information is known about her family. However, Harriet Tubman was told that she is of Ashanti origin due to her character traits. Her mother was a cook while her father was a skilled woodsman who managed timber work on Thompson’s plantation (Davis, 2021). Slavery affected their family, threatening to tear them apart. For instance, Edward Brodess sold three of Harriet’s siblings, separating them from their family forever. Therefore, Harriet Tubman’s life was full of misery, encouraging her to take part in the abolitionist movements.

Slave Trade in the U.S. and Ethical Issues

The U.S. was one of the countries where slavery was a common trade in the eighteenth century. The trade was associated with the European colonial masters who owned large plantations that needed huge manpower. The first African slaves arrived in the U.S. in around 1526 (Givens, 2022). Since the harsh treatments led to the death of many slaves, the colonial masters preferred indentured laborers who signed a contract to pay with work for their passage and upkeep while in the U.S. (Givens, 2022). The existing legal system was harsh to the slaves, and some were convicted of trying to flee their services. While slavery was beneficial to the slave masters, various ethical issues were pertinent.

Slavery was associated with unethical behaviors that injured the slaves, physically and psychologically. The slave masters and traders disrespected the dignity of the slaves, treating them as inhuman. During the trade, the victims were chained and would walk for long distances without food, and were denied an opportunity to choose their masters. Additionally, when working in the plantations, the slaves were subjected to physical torture and threats. Many slaves lost their lives due to hunger and injuries. Treating human beings harshly and disrespecting their dignity was unethical, questioning the moral fabric of the Western communities that actively engaged in the slave trade.

Moral Consciousness: Meaning and Ethical Principles

Morality is a relative concept that is shaped by a society’s perceptions of what is right and wrong. However, some societies’ have adopted questionable cultures. For instance, while the Western community saw it right to colonialism and torture African Americans, it was blatantly wrong for any society that respects human dignity. Consequently, it should be obvious to accept just anything that society sees it right. Moral consciousness is a concept that allows individuals to master social realities, and choose their stand (Revathi & Vasuki, 2022). Therefore, in psychology moral consciousness involves a personal perspective on one’s conduct, intentions, or character anchored on the obligation to do right or wrong.

Ethical Principles

Moral consciousness is guided by various ethical principles that societies must exhibit through their commissions and omissions. Ethical principles are part of the normative theory that justifies and defends moral judgments (Klenk & Sauer, 2021). Although moral consciousness can be subjective, ethical principles eliminate individual bias when acting. The normative theory suggests seven basic moral principles: non-maleficence, beneficence, health maximization, justice, self-autonomy, proportionality, and efficiency. Although all principles may be inapplicable to a single action, every society and individual must apply them when committing or omitting their duties. The ethical principles are integrated into various professionals and social institutions of public interest.

Harriet Tubman’s Moral Consciousness

Harriet Tubman remains a significant figure among African Americans. She grew up in a society that shaped her moral stands in various ways. Being born to enslaved parents, she experienced the harshness of slavery first-hand. Additionally, she was brought up by parents who had suffered in the hands of slave masters who had no dignity for the African Americans working in their plantations and homes. Therefore, Harriet Tubman developed a moral standing against discrimination and slavery in the U.S. Although Harriet Tubman took some actions that could be termed illegal, she did them for the benefit of her family and community at large.

Upbringings and Christian Background

Religion plays a significant role in shaping individuals’ moral standing in society. Christianity is one of the common religions that encourages virtues such as forgiveness. Harriet Tubman was brought up in a Christian family that believed in forgiveness as portrayed by God through His son, Jesus Christ. Consequently, she observed Christian values when dealing with her enemies. For instance, she was once sick diminishing her value in the eyes of the slave traders. Although her slave master, Edward Brodess tried to sell her, she kept him in her prayers (Chism, 2022). Harriet Tubman’s Christian values enabled her to peacefully handle her worsening situation by making prayers.

Fighting for Her Freedom

Although Harriet Tubman observed her Christian values of not fighting her slave masters, she could no longer withstand the pain and discrimination against her. Consequently, she decided to fight for her freedom by making risky but rational decisions. She tried to escape from slavery with her brothers. In 1849, she made a brief escape for fear that her master wanted to sell her. However, she returned under the influence of her brothers who decided to return (Davis, 2021). Going back was a rational decision since her moral consciousness could not allow her to risk her family members’ lives. However, she later made a bold decision of escaping leaving her family members at risk. Harriet Tubman’s moral consciousness motivated her to escape the pains subjected to her by the slave masters.

Helping others Fight for Freedom

Individual liberalization enables one to see and experience the importance of freedom. However, it is difficult to enjoy freedom when one’s society members are suffering. Therefore, it is a moral obligation to help family members and close relatives. Her consciousness was disturbed upon hearing that one of her nieces was about to be sold (Field, 2021). Consequently, she bravely decided to help her family and other slaves escape, just as she did (Davis, 2021). During the escape, she threatened those who gave up and dared return to their slave masters (Chism, 2022). Furthermore, she joined a group of other abolitionists after the 1861 war. Joining the movement was risky for her life and that of her family members.

Moral standings can drive people into taking risky actions that cause their death or those they are trying to help. Harriet Tubman, upon learning the lay of the land in Union camps in South Carolina, offered her service in the army as a spy (Davis, 2021). Furthermore, she took part in daring raids that risked the lives of many slaves. For instance, in June 1863, she took part in the nighttime raid on Combahee Ferry which saved many slaves but risked their lives. The raid at Combahee was successful, leading to its adoption during the abolitionist movements. Additionally, the raid exhibited the importance of the African American troops in the U.S. army. Although some of Harriet Tubman’s decisions led to the death of slaves and soldiers, she had a moral obligation to help her community get freedom from slavery.

Harriet Tubman’s Illegal Acts and Moral Consciousness

Every society has its legal system that ensures the maintenance of order. Therefore, regardless of an individual moral standing, their actions must be consistent with the set laws and accepted ethical principles. She was motivated to liberate and save slaves from the harsh actions of the slave masters. However, she engaged in activities that were illegal and immoral to some extent. She pioneered many raids that led to the death of slaves and soldiers. Additionally, she and John Brown planned the Harpers Ferry arsenal raid (Keating, 2022). She helped John Brown recruit soldiers who raided the federal arsenal. Although Harriet Tubman and John Brown intended to empower the freed slaves their action was unacceptable before the law.

The raid sharpened the tension between the North and South, catalyzing the Civil War. While John Brown was sentenced to death, Harriet Tubman escaped. The Civil War threatened the lives of many Americans and the country’s economy. Non-maleficence is an ethical principle that encourages people not to engage in actions that would harm others. Therefore, Harriet Tubman ignored the ethical principles and law in pursuit of justice. While her actions were illegal, they were justified since they led to an absolute end of slavery. Moreover, her actions pioneered the development of rigid legal systems that respected the dignity and lives of everyone, regardless of their racial background. Therefore, Harriet Tubman actions played a significant role in shaping contemporary society.

Harriet Tubman Accomplishments and Decision-Making

Christian values are significant for effective decision-making that help a person and those around them. Harriet Tubman risked her life escaping from her slave master and helping others. Her escape and actions were aimed at liberating her society, and changing the White men perspectives on the African Americans. Additionally, she helped others so that they would help her in the mission of ending slavery in the country. Although some of her actions and decisions were questionable, there is enough evidence that they were justified.

Effective decision-making involves choosing among the alternative cause of action. The rational decision-making model allows individuals to use facts and information before taking an action (Djulbegovic, 2021). Meanwhile, the intuitive model involves arriving at decisions without conscious reasoning (Luoma & Martela, 2020). Harriet Tubman decided to escape from slavery and help others regardless of what was needed from her. She was ready to give up her life just to end the cruel treatments: dodging bullets and threatening weak freedmen. Her sacrifices were worth the escape and safety of other slaves. Harriet Tubman could have chosen alternative actions such as taking no action, helping her family members only, or just praying for the situation. Therefore, her bold decision to take part in the abolitionist movement was beneficial to her and the entire African American community.

Conclusion

Slavery led to the death and torture of many African Americans who worked in plantations and the homes of the colonialists. Harriet Tubman was among the people who pioneered the abolitionist movement that led to the end of slavery. She helped his family and other slaves escape the unfriendly working conditions. Christianity and personal experiences shaped her moral standing on slavery and were ready to do anything possible to end it. Consequently, he joined other abolitionists, conducting many raids to save slaves. While her actions were rationally based on her moral consciousness, some were illegal. However, the consequences of her actions play a significant role in contemporary society. Therefore, the society is obligated to emulate Harriet Tubman and encourage rational decision-making for the benefit of society.

References

Chism, J. (2022). “Go On or Die”?: Historical and ethical analysis of Harriet Tubman’s authoritarian rule to shoot feeble fugitive slaves. Journal of Disability & Religion, pp. 1–26.

Davis, J. C. (2021). An Artistic tribute to Harriet Tubman. Wipf and Stock Publishers.

Djulbegovic, B. (2021). Ethics of uncertainty. Patient Education and Counseling, 104(11), pp. 2628-2634.

Field, C. T. (2021). Old-age justice and Black feminist history. Radical History Review, 2021(139), pp. 37–51.

Givens, T. E. (2022). Ties that bind: slavery and colonialism. In The Roots of Racism. Bristol University Press. Web.

Keating, W. D. (2022). Cleveland and the Civil War. Arcadia Publishing.

Klenk, M., & Sauer, H. (2021). Moral judgement and moral progress: The problem of cognitive control. Philosophical Psychology, 34 (7), pp. 1–24.

Luoma, J., & Martela, F. (2020). A dual-processing view of three cognitive strategies in strategic decision making: Intuition, analytic reasoning, and reframing. Long Range Planning, 54(3), pp. 102065.

Revathi, G., & Vasuki, D. G. (2022). Moral consciousness in Eudora Alice Welty novels.Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 17(3). Web.

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