Hidden in Plain View*
by Jacqueline L. Tobin and Dr. Raymond G. Dobard
- This book is very controversial because many historians believe it lacks evidence to support the idea that a Quilt Code ever existed at all. The authors argue that they are being unfairly held to a standard that does not allow for the importance of oral history. What do you think? Is it necessary to have written documentation to be considered “credible”?
Could there be any reason why no mention of an Underground Railroad Quilt Code ever surfaced before now? - What do you think of Ozella? Do you believe she “chose” Jacqueline to be the one who finally wrote down the quilt code (page 166), and if so, why would she choose her? Do you think Jacqueline read more into that first meeting with Ozella than she should have? Do you think Ozella was a credible source?
- Why would runaway slaves use such a complex code system? Why wouldn’t they simply communicate through word of mouth? How did the slaves know what the Code meant? Who do you think invented the code and who do you think taught the slaves what the Code meant?
- Here are some critiques of the book. How would you respond?
Giles R. Wright, director of the Afro-American History Program, NJ Historical Commission writes:
“Doesn’t it seem strange that, according to the book, no one in the black community seemed interested in (Ozella) Williams’ testimony? And why weren’t others in the black community in possession of the same oral tradition that Williams related? Isn’t it likely that Williams was putting Tobin on?”
“We are never told in HIPV who created and operated the encoded quilt system. Who made the quilts and hung them? Was it free blacks living in the South? Was it other slaves?
“Neither of the co-authors is a black historian. In order to write knowledgeably about the UGRR, you must first be a student of the larger black historical experience…Jacqueline L. Tobin teaches women studies at the U of Denver; Dr. Raymond G. Dobrad is an art/quilt historian at Howard University. Neither is really equipped to discuss the UGRR. The books many factual errors, ones that never would never be made even by a novice in the field of AA history, reveal this. Do you agree?
Tim Morris, Ph.D. Professor of English at U of Texas
“A key phrase in Ozella William’s Quilt Code is ‘Double Wedding Rings’ but that quilt pattern was invented in the 1920’s. Tobin and Dobard make various attempts to salvage the phrase, ultimately deciding that this particular part of the Code doesn’t refer to quilts at all but to something else. But the much more likely scenario is that Williams overplayed her hand in telling the story to Tobin, throwing in a pattern that didn’t exist yet in slavery times. (A similar problem occurs with the Log Cabin pattern, rare almost to the point of non-existence in antebellum times.) Is this critique is too harsh, given that Ozella is not a historian and perhaps some small parts of her story were confused due to the nature of oral history, or do you agree with Morris that lapses and inconsistencies like these really negate the credibility of the entire story? - Why do you think the authors included so many forewards in their book? Did they add to or detract from the book?
- Starting on page 92, the authors use a fictional children’s story Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt as supporting evidence for the Quilt Code’s authenticity. Why would they authors do this?
- Given your thoughts on the book and the controversy surrounding it, how do you feel about the Quilt Code being taught in elementary and high schools, as is now happening? Why or why not?
The authors have also been lecturing at many universities and prestigious institutions around the country including Emory and the Smithsonian and have also appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show.
*Questions written by Mount Prospect Public Library Staff
Published 1999
