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FUCK YEAH MARX
November 26, 2013

 

Today in history: November 26, 1883 - Sojourner Truth dies.<br />
Sojourner Truth was born into slavery and became one of the most well known leaders in the abolitionist movement, and was also active in the women&#8217;s rights movement. Truth was born into slavery in New York, but escaped to freedom in 1826. She traveled the country spreading her powerful message for the abolition of slavery. Her book, The Narrative of Sojourner Truth, told her story and spread the abolitionist message widely. Even among abolitionists, Truth was considered radical - she fought for political equality for all women, and criticized those in the abolitionist movement who failed to seek equal rights for Black women as well as men. She also took to task women&#8217;s rights activists who failed to include Black women, like in her famous 1851 speech, &#8220;Ain&#8217;t I a Woman?&#8221;<br />
During the Civil War, Truth helped recruit Black troops for the Union Army to fight against the pro-slavery South. After the Civil War, she continued to struggle for freedom and equality. She organized to force the desegregation of streetcars in Washington D.C. by riding in cars designated for whites, and also organized to secure land grants from the federal government for former slaves, arguing that land would give African-Americans self-sufficiency and free them from indentured servitude to wealthy landowners.<br />
Via Freedom Road Socialist Organization (Fight Back!)

Today in history:

November 26, 1883

– Sojourner Truth dies.

Sojourner Truth was born into slavery and became one of the most well known leaders in the abolitionist movement, and was also active in the women’s rights movement. Truth was born into slavery in New York, but escaped to freedom in 1826. She traveled the country spreading her powerful message for the abolition of slavery. Her book, The Narrative of Sojourner Truth, told her story and spread the abolitionist message widely. Even among abolitionists, Truth was considered radical – she fought for political equality for all women, and criticized those in the abolitionist movement who failed to seek equal rights for Black women as well as men. She also took to task women’s rights activists who failed to include Black women, like in her famous 1851 speech, “Ain’t I a Woman?”

During the Civil War, Truth helped recruit Black troops for the Union Army to fight against the pro-slavery South. After the Civil War, she continued to struggle for freedom and equality. She organized to force the desegregation of streetcars in Washington D.C. by riding in cars designated for whites, and also organized to secure land grants from the federal government for former slaves, arguing that land would give African-Americans self-sufficiency and free them from indentured servitude to wealthy landowners.

Via Freedom Road Socialist Organization (Fight Back!)

 

>via: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/sojtruth-woman.asp

__________________________

 

 

Modern History Sourcebook: 
Sojourner Truth:
“Ain’t I a Woman?”, December 1851


Sojourner Truth (1797-1883): 

Ain’t I A Woman?
Delivered 1851

Women’s Convention, Akron, Ohio 

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. 


This text is part of the Internet Modern History Sourcebook. The Sourcebook is a collection of public domain and copy-permitted texts for introductory level classes in modern European and World history.

Unless otherwise indicated the specific electronic form of the document is copyright. Permission is granted for electronic copying, distribution in print form for educational purposes and personal use. If you do reduplicate the document, indicate the source. No permission is granted for commercial use of the Sourcebook.

(c)Paul Halsall Aug 1997 
halsall@murray.fordham.edu

 

>via: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/sojtruth-woman.asp