Sojourner Truth Puts Things In Perspective
Women were the backbone of the Abolishionist Movement. Women from the North, often the wives, daughters, sisters and mothers of professional men, worked tirelessly to end slavery. There were Southern women on plantations who risked all to teach slaves to read and helped some escape to the North.
The women started asking questions about their own situations. After all, if they were capable of doing the work for the Abolishionists, then maybe they were capable of voting and holding property in their own names.
They held a conference in Akron, Ohio in 1851 to discuss these issues. The men took over the meeting to list all the reasons why these delicate flowers could not have the few rights for which they had started to ask. The women were quiet while they men spoke.
At the back of the room was a Negro woman, a legally freed slave, who had gone on to become a preacher. She had founded the Underground Railroad and guided hundreds of slaves to freedom in the North.
Sojourner Truth stood almost 6 foot tall and would have been imposing even without the dark skin and the authority that came from her triumph over a life more difficult than anyone else in the room could imagine.
She pulled herself up to full height and stode slowly to the front of the now quiet room, all eyes were on her. People were filled with a mixture of respect, awe and some fear. She began to speak...
Well, children, where there is so much racket there must be something out of kilter. I think that 'twixt the negroes of the South and the women at the North, all talking about rights, the white men will be in a fix pretty soon. But what's all this here talking about?
That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man - when I could get it - and bear the lash as well! And ain't I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?
Then they talk about this thing in the head; what's this they call it? [member of audience whispers, "intellect"] That's it, honey. What's that got to do with women's rights or negroes' rights? If my cup won't hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart, wouldn't you be mean not to let me have my little half measure full?
Then that little man in black there, he says women can't have as much rights as men, 'cause Christ wasn't a woman! Where did your Christ come from? Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him.
If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back , and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it, the men better let them.
Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner ain't got nothing more to say.
That was all she needed to say.
Sojourner Truth (1797-1883): Ain't I A Woman?
Delivered 1851
Women's Convention, Akron, Ohio
The Story of Sojourner Truth
Sojourner Truth: A Life Bigger Than Life
Sojourner Truth (1797 ? November 26, 1883) was the self-given name, from 1843, of Isabella Baumfree, an African-American abolitionist and women's rights activist. Truth was born into slavery in Swartekill, New York. Her best-known speech, Ain't I a Woman?, was delivered in 1851 at the Ohio Women's Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio.
Which 'Sojourner Truth' Gets Your Vote?
I have watched each of these several times. Its worth watching them all, as each gives a different perspective.
After you watched, you can then vote. Use the Guest Book to tell us why you picked that one.
Enjoy!
Kerry Washington: Ain't I A Woman
Kerry Washington reads Sojourner Truth
Actress Kerry Washington reads the 1851 speech of abolitionist Sojourner Truth. Part of a reading from Voices of a People's History of the United States (Howard Zinn and Anthony Arnove) October 5, 2005 in Los Angeles California.
Runtime: 189
13241 views
26 Comments:
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Alice Walker Reads Sojourner Truth
Alice Walker reads Sojourner Truth
Poet Alice Walker reads the 1851 speech of abolitionist Sojourner Truth. Part of a reading from Voices of a People's History of the United States (Howard Zinn and Anthony Arnove,) Novemeber 11, 2006 in Berkeley, California.
Runtime: 193
17903 views
27 Comments:
curated content from YouTube
Sojourner Truth Truly Was Bigger Than Life
A Little Girl Does, "Ain't I A Woman
Alfre Woodard: "Ain't I A Woman?"
Alfre Woodard reads Sojourner Truth
Alfre Woodard reads "Ain't I a Woman?", a speech delivered by abolitionist Sojourner Truth at the Women's Convention in 1851. Part of a reading from Voices of a People's History of the United States (Howard Zinn and Anthony Arnove,)February 1, 2007 at All Saints Church in Pasadena, CA.
Runtime: 224
8276 views
12 Comments:
curated content from YouTube
Malawian Woman: "Ain't I A Woman?"
Sojourner Truth- Aint I a woman?--Malawian students
By connecting to the history of black female abolitionist and womens right activist Sojourner Truth, Malawian female journalism students realize the importance of speaking out for the rights of women. "Aint I a women" speech read by Malawi journalist/student Chimwemwe Mikwala. Song: Superwoman by Alicia Keys Produced and edited by Simona Siad
Runtime: 320
935 views
1 Comments:
curated content from YouTube
Sojourner Truth & Abraham Lincoln: Did They Meet?
Sojourner Truth and Abraham Lincoln
It has been said that much of the detail of Sojourner Truth's life is unknown; that much of what we think we know is really myth.
We know she was a slave in New York, freed when the state abolished the abomination. We know that most of her children were sold away from her by her owners. We know that she was instrumental in starting the Underground Railroad, we don't know if she made the dangerous trips into the South with which she is credited.
We know that she made the "Ain't I a Woman?" speech. We don't know that she met with Abraham Lincoln. But the picture is great.
Is The Meeting Between Sojourner Truth and Abraham Lincoln A Myth? Does It Matter?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byNo, I Think That Is Just Myth and People Should Stick to the Facts and Here Is Why...
I Don't Know, Don't Care, But I Choose to Believe It As It Is The Spirit That Matters and Here Is Why....
Ahmady says:
It was so long ago (relatively speaking, it doesn't matter. They were both honorable people
Posted April 29, 2009
cjjc says:
It matters not to me. It's the idea that's great and I, for one, will keep it alive in my heart.
Posted March 23, 2009
julcal says:
I think it doesn't matter. Joseph Campbell and Carl Jung taught us that myth is more important than "truth."
Posted February 25, 2009
drifter0658 says:
The spirit is ALWAYS the most important aspect. The spirit is why we believe.
Posted February 25, 2009
Don't Forget to Sign In. I Would Love to Hear Your Reactions to This Speech
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Reply
- jgelien jgelien Nov 28, 2009 @ 11:28 am
- Excellent lens on an amazing woman and a very important topic. LOTD well deserved.
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- JaguarJulie JaguarJulie Jul 18, 2009 @ 4:03 pm
- Wow! This is one 'heavy' topic -- it sounds quite interesting and worthy of exploration. I'd say Yes!
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Reply
- ChineseKitesforKids ChineseKitesforKids May 5, 2009 @ 7:31 pm
- What a stunning lens! Incredible! I am going to share this on facebook and twitter right now because I think it's something worth reading. Love the drifters work, I really am a big fan of his. Beautiful work. 5 stars!
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Reply
- spirituality spirituality Apr 30, 2009 @ 11:19 am
- Great lens - you've been blessed by a squidoo angel :)
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Reply
- Ahmady Ahmady Apr 29, 2009 @ 3:33 pm
- A beautiful lens! I admire ST. On 4/28/09, Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi participated in a ceremony honoring ST and presided over the installation of a bust of Sojourner Truth at the Capitol Visitor Center in the Emancipation Hall area. ST's given name was Isabella Baumfree. She spoke only Dutch until she was sold around the age of nine and learned to speak English. Five stars.
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Get comfortable in a nice chair, get something good to drink and chat with us, read, give your opinion, lets get to know each other.-
Rosa Parks?
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Sojourner Truth traveled to the South o tthe free slaves. Rosa Parks stayed right where she was, with her bottom firmly on a bus seat until it was forcibly removed, to start the next liberation of blacks, women and ultimately all people. During the...
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"A" is for "Arrowsmith"
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I began this journey as a lens master on June 21, 2008. I started with the story of how my parents began their first small business. That first lens reached a top rank of 188 overall and 14 in business, and then started back down, getting as low as...
I Couldn't Do This Alone, Drifter Was a Big Help
He has some fine lenses of his own, I urge you to go visit him!Get to know this guy better! He has taken Sojourner so much to heart. I am reprinting all of his comments here.
March 5, 2009 "few speeches or, moments for that matter, transcend beyond the original scope. Gandhi's 'Non-Violence' speech, anything that Abraham Lincoln did as president (speech or otherwise), and this speech by Sojourner Truth, among countless others all had this in common; acted from their heart, and because of that, had to struggle against all sides.
When she made this speech, you just have to know that women and blacks alike were abashed and most likely chided her for what most would say was a brash action. It is what defined this moment. It is what made this woman heroic. Not only for black women, but for anyone who might feel oppressed in any fashion.
Thank you again (third time and many more coming) :) "
March 1, 2009: "Just thought I'd drop back by and read the speech again. I kinda needed it today.
Thanks!"
February 25, 2009: "What a well presented lens. Content alone makes the difference here, and that's what makes truly great lenses and heroic people.
Sojourner was larger than life, and her content is legendary. I thought Alice Walker's delivery carried the most impact. She sounded tired and stern. I have often wondered what it would have been like to be in that room while she gave that speech.
Wekk done and thanks!"
Drifter's Additions to Sojourner Truth
When she made this speech, you just have to know that women and blacks alike were abashed and most likely chided her for what most would say was a brash action. It is what defined this moment. It is what made this woman heroic. Not only for black women, but for anyone who might feel oppressed in any fashion.
Thank you again (third time and many more coming) :)
Posted March 05, 2009
Just thought I'd drop back by and read the speech again. I kinda needed it today.
Thanks!
Posted March 01, 2009
What a well presented lens. Content alone makes the difference here, and that's what makes truly great lenses and heroic people.
Sojourner was larger than life, and her content is legendary. I thought Alice Walker's delivery carried the most impact. She sounded tired and stern. I have often wondered what it would have been like to be in that room while she gave that speech.
Well done and thanks!
Posted February 25, 2009
More Sojourner Truth'sThe Underground Railroad
There is never too much information about this and these are worthwhile lenses. Check them out!-
The Underground Railroad
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The underground railroad helped deliver thousands of slaves to freedom in the north. As an informal network of brave abolitionists, and secret hideouts, the underground railroad is a piece of history that speaks to the goodness in people, and t...
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Fetching RSS feed... please stand byAbout Margo Arrowsmith
Lensmaster Margo_Arrowsmith has been a member since June 21 2008, has rated 2,018 lenses, favorited 121, and has created 129 lenses from scratch. Margo Arrowsmith donates their royalties to Squidoo Charity Fund. This member's top-ranked page is "Heifer International: The Pay It Foward Entrepreneurial Charity". See all my lenses
My Bio
For Arrowsmith Printing 9/22/08
I was born into a small business, I believe that small business and entrepreneurs are the backbone of America and what has made us great. They are what made us great and will save us in these unsure times. I have never wanted to have a great job. Well, better a great one, than a boring dead end one, and I have had both. But I have never really wanted a job at all.
Don't get me wrong, I am a hard worker. I have worked a full-time job, a part time job and a private practice all at the same time for a lot of years in my past. It isn't the work, its the working for someone else. Never wanted to do that, and I don't understand those who want to do that.
When I was six months old my parents bought their first small town weekly newspaper in Iowa. This was back in the day, back when small town newspapers were not just advertising sheets. Perhaps there are still some of them that are real, I hope so.
So I came by this perverse nature naturally. My path to self employment has been different than theirs, but it has always been my path, my direction.
Growing up in Iowa, in the fifties, I also grew up politically conservative. By the time I was 30 I was radically left. Today? I am proudly liberal and what that means will be clearer as we progress.
However, I have had conflicts about 'taking advantage of people'. I now know that employing people is not automatically taking advantage of them, but it took a while for me to learn that nothing is intrinsically good or bad. Well, almost nothing.
I have educated myself in business, I have a small business and I have used EFT and other energy clearing methods to help me clarify the old conflicts and move forward.
My mission here is to provide a forum for people who want to work independently through one person businesses or through employing others and for whom the betterment of human kind is an important value. My lenses are about offering good products, teaching people about betting their lives, and using the money they make for their pleasure and the benefit of others.
That is how I see business and if you have a similar vision I invite you to my blog www.creatingbusinessenergy.com
Margo Arrowsmith
Raleigh, North Carolina
Mother and Grandmother
Clinincal Social Worker, Coach and Internet Marketer
Interfaith Contemplative Minister
Student of life, business, the human spirit that motivates us to be our best in all circumstances.
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