THE STORY OF THE LANTERN
WHAT DOES
THE LANTERN
SYMBOLIZE?
The Lantern Network is rich with symbolism from The Underground Railroad. A lantern, quilts and certain songs were signals used at the safe houses all along the Underground Railroad to indicate that it was safe for freedom seekers. Today, young Black Americans are still seeking freedom. We are a beacon of light encouraging them to be brave. Read more below and find out how The Lantern Network is helping these young adults, and become a Lantern Lighter yourself.
Born into slavery, Tubman escaped and subsequently made some 13 missions to rescue approximately 70 enslaved people, including family and friends, using the network of antislavery activists and safe houses known as the Underground Railroad.
About this art: Harriet Tubman is a piece of digital artwork by Mark Fredrickson which was uploaded on June 17th, 2017
SYMBOLISM AND THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD
The Lantern Network is rich with symbolism from The Underground Railroad. Our logo comprises the railroad crossings that were embedded into quilts to communicate to runaway slaves.
The flame inside of the railroad crossing on our logo symbolizes illumination and hope. And most importantly, there is a play on the network that existed to assist escaping enslaved people along their journey to freedom. There was an underground network of individuals and small organizations that provided resources back then.
Today, The Lantern Network continues to create a National and evident network of sponsoring corporations, higher-education colleges and universities, influential individuals, and other organizations to construct a life-changing network. This network is providing inroads to lighting the path to economic freedom for young Black Americans.
AN UNDERGROUND NETWORK LIGHTING A PATH TO FREEDOM.
The freedom stairway is 100 steps leading from the Ohio River to the Rankin house in Ripley, Ohio, a station on the Underground Railroad.
In 1829, John Rankin built this brick house overlooking the Ohio River above Ripley, and at night the Rankins kept a lighted lantern in the window to serve as a beacon to guide runaway slaves across the river and up the hillside to safety.
A lantern, quilts and certain songs were signals used at the safe houses all along the Underground Railroad to indicate that it was safe for freedom seekers to approach the house. Rankin’s house was one of the most known houses that housed hundreds of slaves.
The partners and supporters of The Lantern Network are carrying today’s lanterns that will guide our young people of color to a life of new freedoms through mentoring and life-skills training that will INSPIRE them to move from where they are to a better place, GUIDE them to economic freedom, and PROPEL them to achieve their goals.
The Freedom Stairs. One hundred steps to freedom.
In 1829 John Rankin built this brick house overlooking the Ohio River above Ripley, and at night the Rankins kept a lighted lantern in the window.