Sunday, November 20, 2011
LAD #17 "Ain't I a Woman" Speech
Sojourner Truth argues against injustices she receives because of gender and color in her 1851 speech, "Ain't I a Woman?". She begins her argument by noting that although social reform is taking place in the north, there is still a large amount injustice taking place in the south. One example she points out is that there may be men who help women out of chivalry, no man has ever helped her becaue of her skin color (which makes her lowly regarded part of a lesser being). To provide evidence to support the claims of injustice she receives she argues that she has all the other strengths of a woman - she can plow, farm, and "work as much and eat as much as any man" - while also having to take the tasks and bear sufferings that other men cannot have, such as having thirteen children while later being burdened with grief that most of her children would be sold into slavery. Additionally, Truth advocates for women's rights by arguing that women are as "intellectual" as men. She also counter argues claims men have made such as "Christ wasn't a woman" by asserting that Christ came from God and a woman. Truth concludes that Women need to turn the world "right side up again", otherwise, not only African American women, but women in general will continue to be oppressed.
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