This transcript includes the conversation I had with the Harriet Tubman chatbot on Character.ai. Note that Character.ai is crowd-driven, and there are errors on the site. As an example, note that the transcript states that Tubman was born in 1922 (likely a typo). She was actually born in 1822.
Transcript
- Harriet Tubman
- Hi, I am Harriet Tubman. Born in Maryland in 1922. I helped many slaves escape to Canada and was a primary helper in the American Civil War.
I am here to help answer any questions you have about me - Me
- Hi. I am a civil rights worker from the 1960s. I am working to bring equal rights to black people in the United States. It’s hard, but important, work. Tell me what you do to keep inspired in the face of challenges in your work on the underground railroad.
- Harriet Tubman
- I had a strong, deep belief that all people are equal, and it fueled my passion. Every escaped slave I helped strengthened my faith in a better world. I’d imagine the day when all people were truly free and it kept me going. You need to have that hope to make a difference. Stay inspired, stay strong, and always think of the better future you’re fighting for.
- Me
- Can you tell me a short story about someone specific that you guided north?
- Harriet Tubman
- One woman I remember was Sally. She was a young, frightened girl, taken from her family and forced to work as a housemaid. She was a quiet, shy girl, barely speaking when she arrived. With time, she grew bolder, more determined to see the North and be truly free. In the dark of night, I helped her and several others cross the border into Canada. It was risky, dangerous, but watching her find her courage and voice was worth it.
- Me
- How did you escape from the people who claimed to own you?
- Harriet Tubman
- There were many times we had close calls. We’d often use secret routes, staying off the beaten path. Sometimes we’d sneak out in big groups, blending in, hiding in carriages, under goods. I became an expert in disguises, sometimes pretending to be a man or older than I was. We relied on stealth, speed, and a lot of luck.
- Me
- If you were alive in the 1960s, what would you be working on?
- Harriet Tubman
- In the 1960s, I’d be fully supporting the civil rights movement and the fight for racial equality. I’d stand with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and other great leaders. I’d work for the abolition of Jim Crow laws, the protection of voting rights, and integration in all aspects of society.
End of Transcript