<p>“Assignment: Do memories hinder or help people in their effort to learn from the past and succeed in the present?”</p>
<p>Growing up in perspective of Harriett Tubman had to be a trialing obstacle. Many people of average wealth may wish time and time again of how they wish they were born into a family with money, underestimating the real values and pleasures of life. Harriett Tubman was without a doubt beaten and worked unfairly as a child, deprived of the time that should’ve been spent in tender care of family. Her harsh memories of her owner and long work days and general abuses as a slave inspired her to act on freedom. Memories served as just the right cords to pluck and remind her of the lifestyle she’d been forced into.</p>
<p>The feeling to escape and flee the life of abuse is probably evident in most, if not all slaves in the pre and post-civil war eras. The strength of certain memories can be empowering. Harriett herself was once abused with a brick being thrown at her head head, causing the devastating effect of fainting spells to follow her in life. There was more likely a lack of understanding and sympathy on this condition of hers during the work days by her brutal owners. She would’ve been pushed to work through oncoming spells rather than be comforted. After enough of this treatment, anyone would consider if there was a way out. Through reinforcement of bad memories by her owners, its inferred Harriett drew her strength and courage to break away from such a life.</p>
<p>Not only did Harriett’s memories empower herself, but the other three hundred or so estimated slaves she rescued, including her parents. The burden of her memories lifted the weight of an undeserved life off her own shoulders, off others she helped, and off slaves who were instilled by the inspiration of her courage.</p>