Harriet Tubman is a name like Sojourner Truth and Frederick Douglas; all were courageous members of the abolitionist movement. Ms. Tubman, short in stature, barely five feet tall, is a giant in history. And, the film, Harriet, tells the story of Ms. Tubman, the most well-known of all the Underground Railroad's "conductors” and her amazing ability to move in and out of the south. According to the PBS’ Africans in America series, Ms. Tubman made 19 trips into the South and escorted over 300 enslaved Africans to freedom and without capture.

Harriet brings to life a character whose story, without any embellishment, is amazing. Cynthia Erivo in the title role nails it. She’s authentic, credible and exceptional. There was some pushback over Director Kasi Lemmons’ selection of Erivo, a British actress, in the role of an African American icon. But no one can legitimately challenge that choice after seeing the film.

Ms. Tubman created her own true-life Mission Impossible scenarios. Once she alone escaped to Philadelphia, her accomplishment was widely celebrated in anti-slavery circles. But ignoring warnings about repeating the incredible feat, she made multiple returns, and as her reputation grew, each trip became more dangerous.

At first, it was believed that the person who had become known and wanted as “Moses” was a white male abolitionist in blackface. Because only a white male would be capable of pulling off such cunning and dangerous exploits. But once it was learned that Moses was black and female the outrage and determination to capture her grew.

The film opens with one of the claims associated with Harriet. She prays for her owner’s death. His son, Gideon (Joe Alwyn) overhears Harriet’s imploring to the heavens and tells her God doesn’t listen to Ni. . . people like her. Gideon’s father dies that night.

Harriet and Gideon grew up together and as was often the case with enslaved people and their slaveholders, their relationship was complicated.

Maybe I am a coward. But if I had seen Harriet pray for the death of someone and that someone died shortly thereafter, unlike Gideon, I would have been very kind to her from then on.

One feature of Director Kasi Lemmons’ films that I like is her black characters have depth. They fall in love, make emotional connections with each other and pursue hopes and dreams.

But this film also has the typical Hollywood fairytale gloss. There were always perfectly timed messages from above directing Harriet throughout her journeys. Also, as was the case in another story from that period, 12 Years a Slave, blacks in the North are portrayed as full and equal citizens, dressing in the finest wear, living comfortably and interacting with whites as friends and colleagues. And that was simply not the case.

While blacks were free in the North, they were neither the social nor the professional equals of whites and rampant discrimination was the norm.

As to cast diversity, Harriet follows the racial demographics of that time.

Harriet, also starring Leslie Odom, Jr. and Janelle Monae, is a historical, educational and entertaining event, and you should See It! It’s rated, PG-13 for thematic content throughout, violent material and language including racial epithets. Harriet is 125 minutes in length.

VIDEO DISCUSSION: Cardi B checks in with the authorities, and; Taylor Swift gets out the voter registration

QUICK TAKES

In this episode of What's The 411, journalist Kizzy Cox, and comedian Onika McLean start off the episode with the Quick Takes segment talking about news stories related to Chance the Rapper’s $1 Million donation to the city of Chicago for mental health services; singer/actor, Tyrese, introduces his baby girl; comedian Katt Williams gets arrested for abusing a taxi driver in Portland; actor Damon Wayans takes everyone off guard announcing his departure from Fox’s Lethal Weapon, a class-action lawsuit against LaCroix Sparkling Water regarding independent testing showing the beverage containing unnatural ingredients including roach insecticide; actress Erika Alexander gets a role on the CW’s DC-comics-based Black Lightning Season 2 and she will be playing a therapist with telepathic abilities; the multi-talented Janelle Monae joins the cast of the upcoming film, Harriet, and; rapper and actor, T.I., confesses his infidelity to his wife, Tameka aka Tiny.

WHAT’S POPPIN’ – CULTURE & THE LAW

he civil lawsuits against Bill Cosby are starting to queue up. Now that Andrea Constand has gotten justice, accuser Judy Huth’s case against Cosby has a trial date. Huth, who accused Cosby of molesting her when she was 15-years-old at the Playboy Mansion, has a hearing in November and a trial date set for December.

Q. Why isn’t Hugh Hefner’s estate, and/or the Playboy Club being sued for having a minor on its premises?

WHAT’S POPPIN’ – CULTURE & THE LAW

Brett Kavanaugh is now a US Supreme Court judge and Dr. Christine Blasey Ford is back home after speaking her truth about a sexual assault by Kavanaugh when she was a teenager.

Q. Does the MeToo Movement have any relevance?

WHAT’S POPPIN’ – DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION

October is Domestic Violence Prevention and Awareness Month. And, unfortunately, domestic violence occurs every day. LaShonda Childs, a 17-year-old Ohio girl, was killed by a 28-year-old ex-boyfriend who would not take no for an answer. The harassment was so bad, LaShonda Childs posted on Facebook, 'I Ain't Even Safe In My Own House,' as he became more violent even after she filed for a protective order.

If you need help with domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence helpline at 1-800-799-7233

WHAT’S POPPIN’ – CARDI B

Rapper Cardi B reported to the New York City police after a brawl occurred at a strip club where her husband, Offset's group, Migos, was performing and two women were injured, one was suspected of having an affair with Cardi's husband. Cardi was charged with two misdemeanors, assault, and reckless endangerment, she had a mug shot taken and was fingerprinted, according to TMZ.

WHAT’S POPPIN’ – TAYLOR SWIFT

Pop singer Taylor Swift, who has shied away from being vocal about politics and civic action, decided to step out front and center. She informed her fellow Tennesseans on social media how to register to vote, which sparked record numbers of new voter registrations.