American abolitionist Harriet Tubman, standing with her hands resting on the back of an upholstered chair and facing the camera with a calm expression, likely photographed in Auburn, New York, 1875. It would not be right to strip Tubman of her humanity — including her sexuality — simply due to her historical reverence. I don’t begrudge Green his right to deliver his art as he sees fit, but “Harriet Tubman: Love Slave” recalled my feelings after seeing Jeremy O. Harris’ “Slave Play,” which tackled race, sex and interracial relationships. AdvertisementAnd perhaps that’s what is so frustrating about “Love Slave” and other recent moments that center the abolitionist: Many people seem so intent on trivializing her. While other Black historical figures are inappropriately mocked, Black women historical figures seem especially vulnerable to this treatment.

Source: Huffington Post February 07, 2026 14:48 UTC