We ask you, urgently: don't scroll past this
Dear readers, Catholic Online was de-platformed by Shopify for our pro-life beliefs. They shut down our Catholic Online, Catholic Online School, Prayer Candles, and Catholic Online Learning Resources essential faith tools serving over 1.4 million students and millions of families worldwide. Our founders, now in their 70's, just gave their entire life savings to protect this mission. But fewer than 2% of readers donate. If everyone gave just $5, the cost of a coffee, we could rebuild stronger and keep Catholic education free for all. Stand with us in faith. Thank you.Help Now >
Detroiter's book tells how slaves changed their lives
FREE Catholic Classes
Detroit Free Press (MCT) - Although chattel slavery was among America's most despicable periods in history, there were moments of promise and pride amid the pain, says Detroit author Betty DeRamus.
Highlights
McClatchy Newspapers (www.mctdirect.com)
2/11/2009 (1 decade ago)
Published in U.S.
She captures examples of it in her latest book, "Freedom by Any Means" (Atria, $25), released this week.
"'Freedom by Any Means' focuses on the extraordinary and little-known ways in which black people gained their freedom," DeRamus says. "It stresses the cunning, intelligence and tricky strategies of determined freedom seekers."
The book tells stories of slaves, freedmen and others, bolstered by courage, who used their wit and imagination to free themselves or carve out lives that were rich in ways that weren't always counted in dollars and cents.
"I'm trying to deal with slavery from a different perspective to balance the story," says DeRamus. "We always read of the unrelenting horrors, but there was so much else that helped them survive."
Several of the stories are based in Michigan, or in nearby Windsor, Canada, where many escaped slaves settled.
The book is a follow-up to DeRamus' best seller, "Forbidden Fruit: Love Stories From the Underground Railroad."
___
© 2009, Detroit Free Press.
Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.
-
- Easter / Lent
- Ascension Day
- 7 Morning Prayers
- Mysteries of the Rosary
- Litany of the Bl. Virgin Mary
- Popular Saints
- Popular Prayers
- Female Saints
- Saint Feast Days by Month
- Stations of the Cross
- St. Francis of Assisi
- St. Michael the Archangel
- The Apostles' Creed
- Unfailing Prayer to St. Anthony
- Pray the Rosary

Nearly Half of American Children Now Struggle with Chronic Health Issues — Anxiety and Depression Lead the Surge

Vatican Approves Devotion to Marian Apparitions in Slovakia—Without Declaring Them Supernatural

Pope Leo XIV: AI Must Uphold Human Dignity and Build a More Fraternal World
Daily Catholic
Daily Readings for Friday, July 11, 2025
St. Benedict of Nursia: Saint of the Day for Friday, July 11, 2025
Infant Jesus of Prague Novena Prayer: Prayer of the Day for Friday, July 11, 2025
Daily Readings for Thursday, July 10, 2025
Bl. Emmanuel Ruiz: Saint of the Day for Thursday, July 10, 2025
- Prayer to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart: Prayer of the Day for Thursday, July 10, 2025
Copyright 2025 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2025 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.