I wonder how many fans of the myth descend from slaves. I do. Do you? I wouldn't knowingly exploit other people's ancestors with these fairy tales. We're not talking about mythological creatures here. They were real people who struggled and deserve respect. Please do not treat them with a cavalier "George Washington slept here" attitude.
It would be wiser, and kinder, to make an homage to the movement and cease proseltyzing the myth. There are wonderful quilts, real quilts, to be reproduced. Make an abolitionist quilt. Remake this wonderful 1980 folkart blanket:
http://www.quiltindex.org/basicdispl...?kid=1A-39-2A0
http://www.ugrrquilt.hartcottagequilts.com/
Scroll down to the index and then read it all.
http://www.antiquequiltdating.com/Qu...R._Wright.html
Read every word Giles speaks here. Fleeing Carolina slaves were not idiots to be demeaned by blankets. Imagine the courage and determination required.
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/200...owned_sch.html
From Barbara Brackman:
What harm can a charming yet false story do? You be the judge. But do realize that we are teaching a generation of children false history. And
by focusing on this connection we ignore our national obligation to learn about the true and less charming stories of slavery.
http://www.marilynquilts.com/id26.html
No one should profit from this and yet that is how it started. From Ozella to Eleanor. When will it end?