One of the most valuable readings for tomorrow's class is a speech by Sojourner Truth entitled "Ain't I A Woman?" Truth highlights an aspect of women's movements that we often forget - the issue of race.
The Declaration of Sentiments from the Seneca Falls Conference in 1848, states, "we hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal." Three years later, in Akron, Ohio, Sojourner Truth gave her speech at the Women's Convention, arguing that while white women were being granted certain privileges, those privileges were not also granted to black women. It is important to remember that both of these events were before the abolition of slavery in the United States, and while many white women were fighting for the same rights as men, many black women were fighting for equal rights as men and as women. Her words emphasize this feeling more than anything when she says:
"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?"
She continues to describe how she has worked, harder than any man, and as a mother, she has seen her children sold as slaves. She too was a woman, yet her voice was not heard, and her rights were not considered. While the Declaration of Sentiments blames men for establishing tyranny over women, Truth's voice brings to light a different question: what about men's tyranny humankind? With all of our discussions about the various directions of women's movements, and waves of different beliefs, this reading emphasizes the importance of a united front in the fight for women's rights, for all women of all colors.
The Declaration of Sentiments from the Seneca Falls Conference in 1848, states, "we hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal." Three years later, in Akron, Ohio, Sojourner Truth gave her speech at the Women's Convention, arguing that while white women were being granted certain privileges, those privileges were not also granted to black women. It is important to remember that both of these events were before the abolition of slavery in the United States, and while many white women were fighting for the same rights as men, many black women were fighting for equal rights as men and as women. Her words emphasize this feeling more than anything when she says:
"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?"
She continues to describe how she has worked, harder than any man, and as a mother, she has seen her children sold as slaves. She too was a woman, yet her voice was not heard, and her rights were not considered. While the Declaration of Sentiments blames men for establishing tyranny over women, Truth's voice brings to light a different question: what about men's tyranny humankind? With all of our discussions about the various directions of women's movements, and waves of different beliefs, this reading emphasizes the importance of a united front in the fight for women's rights, for all women of all colors.
As Nora points out in her post, inequality between sexes was not the only major social issue occurring during the first feminist movement. In fact, “the first wave of feminism grew out of the major reform movement of the mid-nineteenth-century – abolitionism” (DuBois, 1). I found the DuBois piece interesting in that it approached the history of feminism from an angle I did not know much about. The author uses the term “shitwork” twice in her short article to describe the only type of work women were generally allowed to do during this time period. The term implies hostility towards the subject and is effective in conveying the unfairness of the situation. DuBois reflects upon how although women were active participants in the civil rights movement and in the labor force during the war, politics were manipulated primarily by men and thus excluded any input from women. I find it very interesting that although the civil rights movement was fighting against the oppression of one group, they were quick to exclude all females from their efforts and leave them to perform “proper feminine behavior.”
ReplyDeleteI think Nora commented on some very important issues in her blog. One common theme throughout these three readings that I feel is critical to examine is the discrimination of women even within movements that are seeking the 'equality of all.' It is sad to see how the 19th century interpretation of freedom in this naiton was limited to men only. The biggest slap in the face to the females of this nation had to be with the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. This landmark Amendment that defined the rights of citizenship and ensured citizenship of any person born on American soil was actually a huge detriment to women. As highlighted in Ellen DuBois' article all this Amendment did for women was legitimize and recognize the discrimination against women on the federal level. It is also sad to say that this issue regarding the role of women in civil rights movements did not change from the times of activists including Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Sojourner Truth to women in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's and later 20th century such as Angela Davis and June Jordan. Personally having viewed the film "A Place of Rage" I have seen how Angela Davis and June Jordan viewed their role in the Civil Rights Movement. One interesting point that June Jordan makes in this film is that the inability of the men in the Civil Rights Movement to embrace the women that were working alongside them ultimately led to the downfall of the movement. Jordan references instances of men who were at one meeting preaching for the "equality of all," yet at the next meeting seriously debating over how many steps the women should walk behind the men. As the examples of the 14th Amendment and the later experiences of June Jordan prove, there was not much change over this nearly 100 year period. I do feel however that the ability for women to make change in society without the submission to the demands of men has greatly increased and seems to only be part of an ever increasing trend.
ReplyDeleteHi all,
ReplyDeleteReally interesting posts this week! A couple of ideas that you present are particularly compelling and thoughtful. First, Nora writes, "while many white women were fighting for the same rights as men, many black women were fighting for equal rights as men and as women." This is an excellent point, and really sums up what I've been trying to get at in class: white women's issues were on a completely different plane from those of black women (and in fact, "white women" here only refers to a small subset of white women). I also appreciate the comment that the 14th amendment worked to "legitimize and recognize discrimination against women." We don't always think about it this way: we assume that women just hadn't "made it" yet. But in reality, this was a public denial of rights. Nice work, all!
Often, individuals falsely believe that all women are struggling as a unified group to achieve equal rights and opportunities. There has been and continues to be inequality amongst subgroups of women within the population. White women gained certain privileges long before African American, Hispanic, Asian, and/or American Indian women obtained similar rights. Currently, women from minority groups are faced with biases because of their gender as well the color of their skin. Similarly, prejudice exists amongst white women based on their economic class as well as religious choice. Feminist groups need to align their goals in order to insure that subgroups of the population are not discriminated against. It may be difficult for all women to agree on uniform objectives. Yet, if women from all wakes of life join force and advocate for each other, this louder voice will be heard. It is unacceptable for inequality to exist between or amongst any group.
ReplyDelete