Ain't I A Woman?
by Sojourner Truth
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.
Women in the U.S have come a long way since this speech took place in 1851, and there is still room for improvement. In a world dominated by men, women all over the world still have a long way to go before they are considered equal to a man. Sigh.
A Little Bit of This and That...
My new favorite pangram~ A popular belief is that fornication (for Stevie, LOL)would be a quick fix for some overzealously judicious governments.
Did you know?
President Woodrow Wilson used the spelling OKEH rather than OK. He preferred this spelling, believing (incorrectly) that the origin of the word is a Choctaw word meaning "it is so."
How is your week going? Comments are always appreicated =D
Labels: Women in History
N Posted by Rain at 3/08/2007 06:58:00 AM
posted at 9:07 AM
Sojounrner Truth was a woman way ahead of her time, such an amazing woman.
Just think of our sisters over in the Middle East, will they ever have equal rights? I don't believe it will happen in our lifetime, perhaps it will take until our great grandchildren to become adults. So sad really.
Why am I not surprised that your favorite pangram contains the word fornication? It is because you like to fornicate...and because you are so good at it? LOL
Shelly posted at 1:50 PM
Hi I really enjoyed your blog, alot of interesting stuff.I would like it if you would join my directory. http://www.weblog-index.com/
Thanks, Shelly
posted at 3:53 PM
wow. what an great speach. thanks for posting that. Sojounrner Truth sounds like a great woman
Kathy posted at 9:13 PM
That was a great speech.
And I love your blog template.
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posted at 9:07 AM
Shelly posted at 1:50 PM
