AIN'T I A WOMAN?by Sojourner Truth
Speech delivered 1851 at the Women's Convention in Akron, Ohio during the begining of a violent riot, people were trying to break down the door and drag her to prison for speaking in public as a Black woman, and she was risking her life to be heard and demand her rights to be freed from slavery and vote as a woman in the US:
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.
Note her use of repetition in this simple, yet powerfulspeech: Interested in this amazing, brave trailblazer? Visit http://www.sojournertruthmemorial.org/history.html for more and share your comments below. Great job on your womens' history speeches last week!!!!!!! Wow!
16 comments:
Sojourner Truth I have bend aware of her for a long time, but I only though of her as a major figure in the Underground Railroad.Helping African Slaves from the southeast part of the United States escape to freedom in Nova Scotie, Canada. I was not aware of her stomping for women rights, although it is not hard for me to see that she would be involve in such a struggle. People with such a strong conviction as she had, have an insight into thing that other people do not have. I think somehow she was able to see that the plight of African Slaves and the plight of Women Rights Movement is the same fight.
Salih Qawi
i also have only heard of her name throught the underground railroad thourgh which she help led the way. the most famous women which has been presented to me for the women movement is susan b anthony. through this blog i have leaned somethig new that is the important name sojourner thruth holds. This name holds bravery will lead to a goal for important issues to be recognized then can you only step forward in making a change.
Hoa
I like women of honor.I like courageous women. I like powerful speakers. I like amazing people.I like Sojourner Truth. Her choice of words are impressive. Her use of repetition for emphasis is as thrilling as her use of rhethoric questions.People like her leave indelible mark on the footprints of time. It takes a lot of courage to speak against your superior or one who imposes superiority over you. She was brave and ready to die fighting the cause she believes in.If you have ever been a slave to your boss,friend,family or society without been able to speak out to set yourself free,you are bound to like Sojourner Truth.
Euchay.
I strongly agree with Euchay above when she stated how Sojouner Truth's choice of words were impressive and how with those retorical questions, and repetitive phrases, she was able to create a memorable speech that had really impacted hundreds and thousands of people.
-barira rashid
and ain't I impressed? What is most impressive about this speech is: 1) the willingness to risk life for truth 2) the perseverence of Sojourner, given the oppressive life she experienced, especially in regard to her children, and 3) her vision that "white men would be in a fix pretty soon." Though I do not endorse demonization of any demographic group, the fact that she is able to see a better future, despite her circumstances, is truly remarkable. A great spirit, comparable to that of Nelson Mandella, Sister Teresa, or Thich Nhat Hanh.
---Paul DeLong
Now, from the mechanics point of view, her use of a rhetorical question as her repetitive validation is extremely effective. Sojourner uses facts and inductive logic to show that many of the prejudical governing assumptions of the time were belied by her or others accomplishments, to an extent of obvious moral outrage. But the repetitive question was not the only useful ploy with questions: "Who was your Christ?.... of God and a Woman." The religious based gender supremacy argument is made absurd from an alternative angle, that shows 2 + 0 = 4... only 2 + 2 = 4; only through remedy of wrong, and societical equality do we get it right.
In addition to that, I believe the way Sojourner Truth formed this speech was the key reason of why it is constantly referred to when discussing women’s rights. First off, Truth offers a great deal of hard evidence when she gives reasons of how she’s no different from every other man. For example when she says "I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman?" Through her use of repititon she makes it obvious of what exactly her general purpose is, to fight for equity.
-barira rashid
After reading Sojourner Truth's speech, it reminded me of Rosa Parks when she refused to give her seat to a white man on the bus. Both of these brave woman demonstrated a strong belief in equality.
Truth's usage of repetitive words gave her speech strength in delievering her message.
Oops.. forgot to put my name on the blog!
-See Hang
I just realized by Truth saying "Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner ain't got nothing more to say." She puts emphasis on the speech's closure but letting her audience know that she has nothing furthermore to say. It's quick yet still overpowering.
-barira
I see after reading a little about her and her speech how much she talked through her feelings to get the audience involved emotionally with her speech. She had a great conviction of her beliefs and what she stood for and how she put it out to people. I like the repetition of saying aint I a woman, and then probably catering to her audience brought in about Eve turning things upside down and about Marry baring Jesus. With the faith and the reformation at that time in the country many people probably had religious things on their minds and she uses that.
Curtis Nelson
The history of African Americans will not be complete if you fail to mention the roles of some important women like Harriet Tubman and Sojouner Truth. While the former devoted her life to underground work rescuing blacks the later was a great orator using her powerful speech in igniting the spirit of freedom in her fellow blacks. Her use of repetition was a great weapon in making sure that her message fulfiled its purpose. She was a women of bravery and will not be forgotten in the history of African Americans.
Oby
You are right Uk. Sojourner Truth is a strong women that fought the cause that she so much believed in.
Oby
What I like most about Sojourner's speech was how she was so blunt and to the point. In that time period, if I remember correctly, women were to be seen and not heard. She was a woman of color whom was not afraid to speak her mind and that is a quality I admire greatly.
Diana Sidener
Whose going to forget Sojourner Truth's famous speech in year 1851, when slavery was still legal in some states. And even her son was a slave himself durng that ime too. How about Rosa Parks of 1955 who refused to give up her seat during the time of segregation. And of course then president Corozon Aquino, a widow that started a bloodless revolution that ousted, then president Marcos a ruthless dictator in 1996. These women are not only stories but considered to be a landmark of women history. That can also be looked upon whenever there is injustice, maltreatment or deprivation of woman rights. Sometimes we need to look back to our past to guide us to the future.
-Lito
I just read this speech again, aloud, to a friend, over the phone. And it gave me chills again. This speech is riveting, electrifying and inspiring every time I read it.
Paul DeLong
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