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Here the black abolitionist Sojourner Truth, who was herself freed from slavery in 1827
speaks to a gathering of feminists in Akron Ohio in 1851
Well, children
where there is so much racket there must be something out of kilter I think that 'twixt de *** of de South
and the women at the North, all talking 'bout rights
de white men will be in a fix pretty soon. But what's all this here talking about?
That man over there say that woman needs to be helped into carriages
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 me! Look at my arm!
I have ploughed, and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me!
And a'n'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 a well! And a'n't I a woman?
I have borne thirteen children, and seen 'em most' all sold off to slavery
and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me!
And ai'n't I a woman? Then they talks 'bout dis thing in the head
what this they call it? Intellect
That's right, honey. What's that got to do with women's rights or ***'s rights?
If my cup won't hold but a pint, and yourn holds a quart wouldn't ye be mean not to let
me have my little half-measure full? Then that little man in black, he says women
can't have as much rights as men, 'cause Christ wasn't a woman!
Well where did your Christ come from? Where did your Christ come from?
From God and a woman! Man had nothin' to do wid Him
If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn de 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 'em