Therese Taylor-Stinson

In these pages Therese Taylor-Stinson invites us to “walk the way of Harriet Tubman,” to tailor our own life journeys in the image of Tubman’s unrelenting and courageous journey. As the author states it: “This book endeavors to honor her voice to speak afresh to those who may be enslaved by systems, cultures, and ideas today that create blocks and the inability to know and be true to the image bearers they were called to be. Harriet still has the power to lead us to freedom.”

Taylor-Stinson begins with a brief history of Tubman’s life as a seemingly fragile child born into slavery, whose diminutive stature in adulthood served her well in her active participation in the Underground Railroad, as well as working as a spy for Union forces during the Civil War. Too, her knowledge of the properties of healing herbs were key in her activities as a battlefield nurse, rendering aid to wounded black Union soldiers. These are some of the details that we are invited to recall as the author guides us through a series of contemplative exercises “to reflect on and enter into the mystical through a practice,” as the author explains it. These exercises, writes Taylor-Stinson, include accessing “the wisdom of Howard Thurman, the courage of John Lewis, the prose of Toni Morrison” and others “to help guide us to . . . emotional freedom and internal emancipation.”

Though much of the text is directed to African American women, the content easily applies to any gender, race, or communal identity. As a generically white female octogenarian, who has the good fortune to count among her closest and most valued friends several African American women of superior intellect and exceptional talent, I have been blessed with good friends who have lovingly and patiently tolerated my unwitting use of racially insensitive language. Thus, Taylor-Stinson’s use of the word enslaved, rather than slave reminds me that subtle changes in the labels we attach to each other make enormous changes in the way we view each other as human beings. Certainly every slave deserved to be thought of as a worthy human being, and the term enslaved person grabs our attention and reminds us that we are speaking of flesh-and-blood, thinking, breathing, suffering persons!

Working my way through Taylor-Stinson’s Practices, I am reminded of Julia Cameron’s venerable The Artist’s Way. Certainly, Walking the Way of Harriet Tubman could be effectively adapted to a group that would meet on a weekly basis to share their journey through her exercises.

I cannot think of any other book that is so incredibly beautiful in every aspect. Holding it in my hands, the size is personal and perfect. The colors, iconography, illustration, and word content of the cover immediately announce to the reader that something precious and important is inside. Each time I sit down to open its pages, I settle into a state of loving anticipation. Thank you, Therese Taylor-Stinson.… (mehr)