Special Topics- Speech Abstract 1

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Nyoka Bryan Special Topics Truth, S. (1851). A’n’t I a Woman. Leeman, R. W. & Duffy, B. K. (2012). The will of the people: A critical anthology of African American speeches . (pp 38-48) Southern Illinois University Press. Sojourner Truth, an American abolitionist and women’s rights activist was born into slavery until she escaped in 1826 with her infant child. Truth lived a life of harsh realities in the 19 th century before becoming one of the most prominent women in history. Truth was born Isabella Baumfree to enslaved people James and Elizabeth Baumfree. She had about 12 siblings who were also sold into slavery. She was sold repeatedly out of her owner's lack of understanding of her Dutch dialect and phonetic delivery. During Truth’s time as a slave, she endured physical and sexual abuse at the hands of her masters, including beatings, which left her skin, especially her back, permanently bruised and scarred. She changed her name to Sojourner Truth, reflecting her journey as a traveler and speaker of the truth for God. Although Truth’s life was difficult, she held on to her strength and faith. As a freed slave, Sojourner Truth embarked on a journey to find a place in the universe and create a role for herself. During the 19 th century, the nation was marked by an immense turn of events. It was a period when the state of New York passed an emancipation law on July 4, 1827, that stated that all slaves who were born before 1799 would earn their freedom. Truth was born in 1797 and wanted a chance to claim that right that was relayed to her by her master. Truth had to escape with her infant child, claiming her freedom after her master delayed her release. Another issue was slaves were not allowed to take their children as they had to earn their freedom under the emancipation law, so Truth had to leave her other three children behind. During her speech, women's conventions from 1848-1852 were ubiquitous; it was a time when women and men used their voices to express disdain for the state of their surroundings. In the speech, A’n’t I a Woman, delivered at a Women’s Rights Convention in 1851, Sojourner Truth’s purpose was to advocate for gender equality and women’s rights and to warn

men of an ever-changing world where “women are coming up blessed be God” (Leeman & Duffy, p. 47, 2012). She noticed that she could use her voice to inflict ideals and change upon a stubborn group of people. Truth realized the power of rhetoric when Frederick Douglass published his book Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave and decided to publish her 1850 autobiography (Leeman & Duffy, 2012). She delivers the purpose of her words by highlighting the struggles she faces as an African-American woman. Her speech was addressed to whites, primarily for the rights of African-American women and all women alike. She wanted to live in a society that recognized her worth as a woman who had endured beatings, sexual abuse, loneliness and forced child labor. But she notes that with all she has faced, her male counterparts are not stronger, smarter, more intelligent, or deserve more than she does because she can withstand what most white men have not. She said, “Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed, and planted and gathered into barns, and no man could head me!” (Leeman & Duffy, p. 43, 2012). She referenced that Christ has nothing to do with gender but with kindness and justice as the God who created him and women saw He was born of a woman. Sojourner Truth’s historic speech, addressed at the Women’s Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio, 1851, encompassed several major ideas and themes. She started by saying she embodies women's rights by starting her words with “I am women’s right” (Leeman & Duffy. p. 46, 2012). With sincere conviction, she championed the cause of gender equality, challenging the prevailing notion that women were weak and inferior to men. Importantly, Truth brought to the forefront the concept of intersectionality, highlighting that both white and African American women faced formidable challenges in their quest for equal rights. Drawing on her faith, she referenced biblical stories to argue that women, with their strength and determination, were more than capable of claiming their rightful place in society. She emphasized the physical labor of women, particularly African American women, challenging stereotypes of delicacy. Using rhetorical questions such as “Ain’t I a Woman?” she engaged her audience and refuted common misconceptions about women. Truth’s speech ended with a resounding call to action, urging the audience to recognize the urgency of women’s rights and the importance of acknowledging all women's equality, leaving an indelible mark on the early women’s rights movement.

I noticed that Sojourner Truth was spearing heading an audience to vote for women because a time was coming when women would no longer be seen as property or the lesser species. I am drawn to her calling because, much like her, I live a faith-based life, knowing that everything I do is for the glory of God. I admire her for overcoming each challenge and continuing with what she believed God called her to. Another idea that stood out to me is her keen sense of premonition. She didn’t keep what she felt would happen to herself; she warned the people of a progressive era ahead. In those days, such acts were called a ‘seer.’ I learned that words are powerful; forgetting what someone says or does is hard. She was a woman of action, even in her words, reinforcing the notion of powerful discourse. If she can travel, speak, and influence without fear, women in this day and age can also continue. The rise of women is an ode to women like her for paving the way for us to have a say and do more. Questions Which two central ideas does Truth develop over the course of her speech, and what is her warning to her audience? How does her reality come alive in her remarks about gendered inequalities? Consider the time we are in now and the 19 th Amendment. What was she foreseeing would happen? Consider her literacy and delivery. Did they acknowledge her rhetoric? Was is persuasive, and why? Use references from the book. What challenges or resistance does Truth encounter during her famous speech, A'n't I a Woman? Consider her male counterparts and the time period of her delivery. What did they want to stay the same? What was she so desperately trying to convince the audience of? Think of her words rather than necessarily the major ideas covered. What made the delivery of the speech difficult? Think of how slaves were denied an education. How does Sojourner Truth’s rhetoric differ from that of other activists of her time? A speech to consider for comparison is Frederick Douglass’s 1852 “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” What differed in the rhetorical situations the speakers were in? How did they address their audiences? Did they acknowledge their differences or try to find places of connection? Did they use different types of arguments? What role did the speaker’s gender

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