A Tunnel Vision Of History

Our family is on vacation. One of the highlights is visiting the Underground Railroad Museum. We’ve received a wonderful tour and learned a lot of history about the people who both fought for and against the Underground Railroad.

My son is looking a little bored as we walk around the grounds after the tour.

Me: “You okay?”

Son: “Yeah, it’s just… not what I imagined.”

Me: “What did you imagine?”

Son: “I thought the Underground Railroad the enslaved used was… you know…”

Me: “…Ha ha, an actual underground railroad?”

Son: “Well…”

Me: “Wait, you’re serious?”

Son: “It’s a very misleading name.”

Me: “So when I told you about your great-great-great-great-grandmother using the Underground Railroad, you thought she escaped using the subway?”