Modern History Sourcebook: Sojourner Truth: Aint I a Woman?, December 1851 Sojourner Truth (1797-1883): Aint I A Woman? Delivered 1851 Womens 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 whats 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 aint 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 aint 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 aint I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mothers grief, none but Jesus heard me! And aint I a woman? Then they talk about this thing in the head; whats this they call it? [member of audience whispers, intellect] Thats it, honey. Whats that got to do with womens rights or negroes rights? If my cup wont hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart, wouldnt you be mean not to let me have my little half measure full? Then that little man in black there, he says women cant have as much rights as men, cause Christ wasnt 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 aint 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 [email protected]
Posted on: Sat, 15 Mar 2014 13:46:41 +0000
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