Tubman’s Way has a Place in These Times

In this photograph taken by Melissa Sutphen in November 1976, these three school-age girls, now possibly 60 years old, are studying a Magnolia seedling as intently as 10-year-olds today peer at cellphone screens.

Nearly 3 decades after Sutphen took this shot, Our Time Press attended the historic unveiling of a new street sign co-naming Fulton with Harriet Ross Tubman Avenue. The effort was spearheaded over time by Al Vann, Annette Robinson, Velmanette Montgomery, and other leaders. The event was attended by notables including then Borough President Marty Markowitz. Marty described Brooklyn as the “African American capital of the United States” and the trailblazer for African American freedom. He also warned the crowd to “turn off the television,” adding “don’t let the children worship the false gods of TV.”

Nearly two decades, we see he was correct. At least, about the medium. Yet, we also know, hope springs eternal when children are curious.
Today, we can only hope that Spring 2025 awakens in our children curiosity about palpable, living things: seeds and trailblazers; nature and history. Yet, we also are curious as to whatever happened to these young people, now grown up. And if there curiosity was sustained, and passed on. (Bernice Green)