Today in class we listened to a selection from Avery Sharpe's Sojourner Truth "ain't I a woman?" CD. Visit http://www.averysharpe.com/
We then watched a recording of a Congressional Tribute to Sojourner Truth, the first woman to be honored with a bust in the US Capitol in 2009. The bust was sculpted by noted artist Artis Lane. (The previous link to Kerry Washington is no longer available).
Uploaded on Apr 29, 2009 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0YR1eiG0us
Cicely Tyson performs Sojourner Truth's "Ain't that a woman?"
First Lady Michelle Obama joined House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and other lawmakers and dignitaries on Capitol Hill on Tuesday to unveil a bust of Sojourner Truth, the 19th-century slave turned abolitionist who was also a fiery advocate for women's rights.
Freewrite
What is Truth's Argument? What form does it take, inductive or deductive? Put it in Standard Form.
We also read Elizabeth Cady Stanton's Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions. What is her stated argument? Put in standard form.
Have the two women converse about the Rights of Women from their unique perspectives.
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/sojtruth-woman.asp
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/senecafalls.asp
Ask Stanton state why she takes her the form of her document from Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence. Why doesn't she use the term "independence"? is something Truth would be interested in querying her why.
Post the conversations here.
We conclude the class with discussions on Wise. Students meet in Lit Circles and talk about the text. Pull 5-10 arguments and put in standard form. Post at a separate link.
What is Truth's Argument? What form does it take, inductive or deductive? Put it in Standard Form.
ReplyDeleteWe also read Elizabeth Cady Stanton's Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions. What is her stated argument? Put in standard form.
Andres Rojas
Professor Sabir
English 5
7 March 2013
In the "Ain't I a Woman" speech, Soujourner Truth makes the argument that aren't women just as capable as men, that aren't they in some ways even better? Women are the creators; the givers of life and I think the statement is very profound because even now only women can give birth, they are what's maintaining all of the human race alive. Truth follows the argument ends her document with humility, which I think did her great justice in the fact that she was able to do so considering of the things she was speaking on.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton on the other mirrored and paralleled the Declaration of Independence with her own version of it, naming it the Declaration of Sentiments. In it, she writes that women are under the tyranny of men; that like the tyranny that the British imposed on the free people of the colonies, so too do the men of the colonies treat women like second class citizens; keeping them in line with different institutions like the church, school or marriage. She felt the need that if the colonies were to be free from the British, all people in those colonies should be freed as well, including the women.
Sojourner Truth and Elizabeth Cady Stanton have decided to meet to have coffee and discuss the role and the importance of women in society.
ReplyDelete"How are you doing, its so nice to meet you I am a huge fan of your work" -Stanton
"Thank you so much I am a fan of your work as well" -Truth
"Although I greatly respect and appreciate you work, in your "Aint I a Woman?" speech you talk about how men had nothing to do with the creation of Christ; the catholic and christian God is generally depicted as a man, I personally believe men and women were created equal and should be treated as such." -Stanton
"But the language you use in your Declaration of Sentiments leads me to believe that you believe women are better than men; for example "He has withheld from her rights which are given to the most ignorant and degraded men--both natives and foreigners" -Truth
"Though I will admit it seems that I am belittling men, I am merely pointing out that this country empowers men who are ignorant and insensitive to women's rights" -Stanton
"I see...I am also curious about the format of your piece; why do you use the format of the declaration of independence and why don't you ever use the term independence?" -Truth
"I wanted to be able to show my own independence through the great work that Thomas Jefferson had set before me, and I didn't use the term independence because I wanted to make my writing its own original twist" -Stanton
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteAnthony Gamarra
ReplyDeleteTruth argues that women are being oppressed by men from both a physical and psychological standpoint. Men see women as fragile creatures who, although have endured just as must abuse from men as men have from men, do not deserve to have any rights. Truth believes it is time for men to take off the blindfold they put over their own eyes so they may see just how strong women really are.
Her arguments take the form of an Inductive speech.
Stanton's argument's are that "all men and women are created equally and are endowed with inalienable rights, such as Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. When a long train of abuses and usurpation's envice a design to reducethem under absolute despotism, it if their duty to throw off such government, and provide new gaurds for their future security."
All men and women are created equally, so when governments oppress their rights, it is the duty of the people to fight back so as to put together a new form of government that has the best interest of the people at heart.
Truth: When will men finally accept women as human beings who deserve just as much respect as they do?
Stanton: When we start to show them we have just as much to offer the world as they believe they have to offer.
Truth: Sure, but where do we start? Men say women are divine creatures who should be given everything, yet we colored folk have received nothing of the sort.
Stanton: That's very true. It could be because a lot of us are afraid to stand up for our rights. That needs to be the first step. To gather the courage to stand in the face of our oppressors and state facts that contradict their beliefs.
Truth: That sounds great. We could even use parts of your Declaration of Sentiments to help our brothers and sisters understand what is going on.
"There is so much racket there must be something out of kilter."
ReplyDelete"The history of mankind is a history of reapeated injuries and usurpations on the part of man toward woman, having in direct object the establishment of and absolute tyanny over her"
"That man over there says that woman need to be helped into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place And ain't I a woman?"
"He has never permitted her to exercise her inalienable right to the elective franchise. He has compelled her to submit to laws, in the formation of which she had no voice. Left her without representation. If married she comes legally civially dead. Taken from her all right in property, even to the wages she earns."
"I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns. I could work as much and eat as much as a man."
"He has monopolized nearly all profitable employments, and from those she is permitted to follow, she recieves but a scanty renumeration. As a teacher of theology, medicine, or law, she is not known."
"Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him."
"He allows her in church, as well as state, but a subordinate position, claiming apostolic authority for her exclusion from the ministry. He has endeavored, in every way he could, to destroy her confidence in her powers, to lessen her self-respect, and to make willing to lead a depenedent and abject life."
One day Elizabeth Cady over heard Sojourner Truth's "Aint I a Woman" speech and decided to invite her to her home for tea as they descussed thier views on woman's rights.
ReplyDeleteSojourner Truth: Thank you for inviting me to your lovely home.
Elizabeth Cady: It is a pleasure to have you. I heard your speech a couple of days ago and it really caught my attention.
Truth: Well Im glad some one heard it. Us women do need to learn how to stick together so these men can see that we are people to. If we dont stand up with each other these men will continue to keep us down.
Cady: I second that motion. These men continue to preach eaqual rights among all, but we both no the truth. If your skin is not white and you are not a woman then you are not equal.
Truth: Well Im glad that skin did not get in the way of us trying to progress.
Cady: We are fighting a bigger fight now, we can no longer afford to chose our team based on color.
Truth: Amen Sista!
Monetta Gilbert
Sarafina Angstadt-Leto
ReplyDeleteMs. Sabir
English 5
March 7, 2013
Freewrite #5
Sojourner Truth came to Elizabeth Cady Stanton at a convention with a specific question about her Declaration of Sentiments.
Sojourner Truth- "Why would you not declare independence for women in your document?"
Elizabeth Cady Stanton- "I do not wish to be independent of the United States, I wish to be treated as a full citizen, with all the rights and duties of such. And I wish the same rights for all women, regardless of race."
ST- "That I can get behind. Men, take off your blinders 'cause here we come."
Makrizia Macasaddu
ReplyDeleteEnglish 5
Truth's argument is that women contribute just as much as men do in society but do not get the same recognition or rights as they do.
Stanton's argument is that all men and women should have the same rights, so why is society making it a big deal by saying that women's rights are not as the same as men?
Stanton: Women are being degraded and oppressed by mankind by having their natural born rights as U.S. citizens taken away from them or having less rights as men.
Truth: Why?! We gave birth to those men and that is how they repay our women of today in society? By depriving them of their rights? Oh, we'll show them who's boss around here!
Sam Salisbury
ReplyDeleteEnglish 5
Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Sojourner Truth decide to meet up for a cup of tea and discussion of women’s issues.
E: So Sojourner, what do you think is the reason is that women are being treated so unfairly?
S: Well, one main reason is that man views us as weaker fragile people even though we can do things just as well.
E: Yes, their struggle for power over all things is sickening. They think we won’t fight for our rights, but women will not give up so easily.
S: Not only that, but they hide behind their religion and try to justify the discrimination, yet Christ was born of a woman!
E: For some reason, they don’t want to admit that God created all man AND woman equal.
S: Not only that, but they control every aspect of us yet still they want more, they cannot be content and try to take what little power that we have.
E: They control marriage, sexuality, divorce, we cannot even vote according to man.
S: And even though they pretend to see us as delicate, some of us don’t have the luxury of being treated like a queen, some have to work, bear children and then see them taken away.
E: Maybe soon the man will see his atrocities against us and we will truly be equal.
S: Old Sojourner ain’t got nothing more to say.
Evelyn Gameros
ReplyDeleteEng 5
07 March 2013
Ain’t I a Woman Cyber Assignment
Sojourner Truth and Elizabeth Cady were two powerful women who believed they were more than just a “woman” or “wife”. They both believed that they were deprived from their liberty rights. Thus, Truth and Cady gave out speeches in demand for their rights.
In Sojourner Truth’s, “Ain’t I a Woman,” we see that this woman screams out for her rights. Sojourner Argues that woman have, “as much right as men.” Men have the idea of treating a woman right and helping them with certain things. Sojourner is a woman. Yet, she hasn’t received any of this from any men. Talking about equality, a man said that the reason why woman can’t be equal to them is because, “Christ wasn’t a woman!” Then Truth argues that Christ was created not only by God but by a woman. In this world, women create men. If it wasn’t for women, no one would be alive. Now, who says that a woman isn’t as equal as a man?
I believe Sojourner Truth takes the form of Inductive Reasoning. She observes how other women are treated, and then forms an argument based off that. After, she generalizes by giving us the theory of the creation of Christ.
Likewise, Elizabeth Cady also shows us that women are not treated the way they should be treated. Cady writes with the same anger as Truth. However, she specifically states that men are the ones to blame for the way women are seen in society. Cady states, “He has never permitted her…He has compelled her to submit to laws…He has withheld her from her rights…” Her form is more inductive because she is specifically saying how she feels, and goes on from there. I think that the way she wrote her paper with the same format as the Declaration of Independence is very interesting. I also would question her, because I would say, “Why don’t just write with your own style?
Michelle Nam
ReplyDeleteIn Sojourner Truth’s speech, “”Ain’t I a Woman” make an argument where women should have “as much rights as men”. Men should see how strong women are and see the roles of women. Also, she was talking about the importance of women in this world and the arguments said something. Truth’s speech was confident and what she acknowledges in her speech.
Sojourner Truth takes the form of an Inductive Speech.
Elizabeth Cady shows that women should be treated equally and writes similar to Truth’s speech of showing anger. Her form of writing is an inductive speech as well. When Cady was writing her paper, she was writing like the Declaration of Independence, but in her case Declaration of Sentiments. When Cady was writing this, she was expressing how she feels and what she wanted to say. She wanted to write in her own statement.
Sojourner Truth leaned back in an old rocking chair. She folded her hands over her lap and inhaled the soothing scent of cinnamon tea. Truth smiled slightly to herself as the full realization of this little fellowship fell upon her. It had taken some moving of both heaven and earth, but she had finally been able to arrange a meeting with Elizabeth Cady Stanton. The agreement was that the two ladies would meet at Stanton's house, and they would discuss friendly matters over tea and cookies.
ReplyDeleteTruth looked over to Stanton who was quite comfortable nestled in her overstuffed couch. Stanton was a big woman…probably much taller than Truth's even six feet….Stanton was also probably heavier than Truth as well, weighing in at about 206 pounds. Stanton's size made her quite intimidating, and even a bit scary. But there was a magical twinkle in her dark eyes that suggested warmness and perhaps even a hint of mischief.
Stanton poured Truth a cup of tea. "That's quite an inductive speech you gave this afternoon."
Truth accepted the cup and the complement with a simple nod.
Stanton poured herself a cup and re-snuggled back into her couch, "Your comment about man having nothing to do with the beginning of the human race was quite astonishing!"
Truth chuckled to herself and took a sip before answering, “Women are strong…we make this big mud ball spin round. We raise families…while men are out taking all the success of the world and not leaving a single penny for us…after everything we’ve done for them…like raising them!
Stanton nodded in agreement, "They've spent so much time climbing up the ladder of success that they forgot who taught them how to climb in the first place!"
Truth leaned over in her rocking chair, as her weathered face lit up giving her a more youthful appearance, “And that there is the problem. What man has ever bore a child on his own?
Stanton laughed as she raised a shortbread to her lips, “No man has even bore a child in the first place! Yet, they feel they are so superior to us women! So superior, that they feel they can take away our rights.”
Truth cocked her head to the side, “What you mean by that?”
Stanton raiased an eyebrow.
Truth spoke again to make her statement more clear, “In your speech you talk all about a woman’s rights, but you don’t say nothing about independence.”
Stanton put her shortbread down, and that twinkle of hers sparkled in her eyes. “Why be independent? Why must I, as a woman, be separate from the United States? I was born here. I have lived here for all my life. Should I not have the same rights as a man?”
Truth nodded in agreement as she picked up her cup of tea, “But that’s another problem. What about the negro woman? Don’t we all got the same rights? I’m a negro…but also, ain’t I a woman?”
The two women shared a laugh.
Stanton answered the question, “We all deserve the same rights! We are all created by Cod himself, in his image, created equally!
Truth set her cup down, “But those men…black and white…got things all mixed up. Calling themselves superior.
"But of course," Stanton said as she snuggled deeper in her chair. "We do not hate our men."
Truth laugh heartily at the comment, "No…but e’ry now and then, we got to put them in their place.”
Stanton and Truth shared another laugh. "I agree with you wholeheartedly," Stanton said as the sun crept down behind the mountains.
Fernando Barragan
ReplyDeleteEnglish 5 -
On a cold morning in 1952, Sorjourner Truth and Elizabeth Cady Stanton sat together over a cup of tea to speak about the progress made for women's suffrage.
Sorjourner Truth - "Thank you Elizabeth for inviting me to your lovely house. I have read your Declaration and must say I agree with all of it."
Elizabeth Cady Stanton - "I am honored to have you over. Thank you for reading my Declaration. I have have read your speech and must say that, I am very moved."
Truth - "Thank you!"
Stanton - "Unlike my Declaration, you truly brought my attention to a personal level. Your use of life experiences shined light to all that women do and are not recognized for."
Truth - "In 'Ain' I a Women" I wanted to prove that all women can do whatever a man can do. In my life I have been made to work on farms picking crop right beside men. Doing the same work, sometimes better, and I am still treated differently. Men say that women have to helped and treated as 'delicate' creatures, but no one has ever helped me."
Stanton - "That is exactly what moved me. As in my my Declaration, I wanted to show that women are just as equal to men. Anything that a man is given or that a man does can also be given to a women and done by a woman. Only thing I see where a man is less than a woman is in the creation of life."
Truth - "Ha ha ha, that's the truth, I ain't never seen a man carry no baby for nine months."
Stanton - "I am glad that so many women have found our writings and all related to them. These writings only move our cause a little. There is still much to be done."
Truth - "I completely agree. There is much to still be done. All that has been down up to now is only the beginning. Our next steps have to be big."
Stanton - "Yes, big! We will get this done, with work by all women, we will get the vote, and the equality we deserve!"
Mariah Sewell
ReplyDeleteFree Write
Cady: Its so nice to meet finally sit down and have a talk about some issues that we both support.
Truth: I agree Cady, It is so refreshing to do so.
Cady: You know It still baffles me how society shapes us women as weak and useless.
Truth: In addition to always comparing us to men and throwing in gender assumptions as a causality.
Cady: You know, I pray and hope each day that as time goes on women would putting their foot down harder and do for themselves rather then relaying.
Truth: (Smile) I can see it clear as daylight. It wont be much longer trust me it will not....
Mark Jansz
ReplyDeleteEnglish 5
Professor Wanda Sabir
FREEWRITE:
Truth and Stanton go to Pete’s coffee to meet up for tea. The time is 3:00pm as they greet each other at the door.
Stanton- “Hey thanks for meeting up with me. It’s a pleasure to have this time with you.”
Truth-, “No problem, the pleasure is all mine. Come let’s go order and take a seat. I have an interesting topic to discuss with you.”
Stanton- "Is it about my my declaration and your speech?"
Truth- "Why yes it is! I just wanted to tell you that I thought you did a wonderful job. It was very cleverly written."
Stanton-"Why thank you,but I must say, you did a very fine job as well. I love how you say that women are just as equal as men are."
Truth- "Well we are! I've been working in the fields plowing and planting, and even gave birth to 13 children. I'd have to say that part no man can do."
Stanton- "That is true, you really changed many women Truth; you brought strength into their lives, including myself,"
Truth-"Why thankyou, I'm glad to have had this discussion with you. It was my pleasure to finally sit down with you."
Stanton- "No, no, the pleasure is all mine. Let's sit down again next week same time?"
Truth- "Oh i wouldn't miss it for the world. That sounds great."
Pablo R. Hernandez
ReplyDeleteProfessor Sabir
English 5
11 March 2013
The Conversation
Sojourner Truth decided to invite Elizabeth Cady Stanton so they meet have a small discussion on women’s rights. Sojourner Truth turned on the kettle sat down after a while she ordered two coffees and cookies for herself and Elizabeth. Soon after Elizabeth Cady Stanton joined Sojourner and drank her hot coffee. A simple greeting was exchanged and both women drank coffee and ate cookies without a simple conversation. After both women finished their coffee and only crumbles of the cookies remained on their plates, they looked at each other with a warm look and decided it was time to have a conversation.
Sojourner Truth: Thank you for meeting me here Elizabeth! It is great to finally meet the woman who helped write the Declaration of Sentiments. (Smile)
Elizabeth Cady Stanton: No problem at all! It is an honor to meet the woman who declared that a being a woman was to be powerful.
Truth: Elizabeth tell me what comes to mind when you think the word “Woman”?
Stanton: Woman is a word that punishes us for no apparent reason and it deprives us from so much that the world can offer us.
Truth: I agree but I also have to point out that Men are what brand the word Women as a negative thing. Like I have stated before men come from a woman so why do they hate us so much?
Stanton: They disrespect us because if they can finally concede that women are the ultimate life giver and more powerful than a man, their time would be up.
Truth: That is the truth. Men are all created equally? All men and all women were created equally and none better than the other.
Stanton: Men today do not get how to make life better for people. Men always resort to violence to end a problem. If women were in charge our world would be very different. Love and equality would be established.
Truth: Ain’t that the truth! Men created all of the ugliness in this world just because they feel like they know best. Well Elizabeth we can talk for hours about what is in our heads. We better save some conversation for future cups of coffee. Thank you for your time.
Stanton: Thank you Sojourner. You are someone who fully understands the problems of today. I will see you for our next coffee meeting.
free write
ReplyDeleteTruth's argument is that both women and men are born equal. She sees women as strong as men, and that women can do whatever men can do; even better. She sees women as divine creatures and strongly believes that women should have the right to voice their opinions and to participate in civic life. Her argument is more deductive because because she observes how other women around her are treated and from that, she states her arguments.
Elizabeth Cady also had similar views on how women are treated; she states to us that women aren't treated as well as they should be treated. She believes, more so, that men are to blame for such actions. She says, "The history of mankind is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations on the part of m an toward woman, having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over her." Her argument is inductive because she takes from her own experiences and puts them into arguments.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton: Hey Sojourner. We both seem to have the same view on women empowerment.
ReplyDeleteSojourner Truth: Yes Elizabeth, we do. We are also have the same thoughts with the quote “all men and women are created equal”.
Stanton: I agree. What really stood out to me in your speech was when you mentioned that Christ wasn’t created only by Him, but Christ was also created by a woman.
Truth: Thank you. I actually had a question about your article. Why did you choose to make the article similar to Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence?
Stanton: Well, as we know, the Declaration of Independence helped our people gain independence. I wanted to remind the world that in that declaration, women were also included, not just men.
Truth: Oh, I understand. Is that why you chose the word “independent”?
Stanton: Yes, that is why. I wanted men to know that they do not have the power over us women. We can stand alone, and we have done so many things to prove that.
Truth: We have very similar views. This talk was very empowering.
Stanton: Yes, it was. Keep the movement going.
Truth: Will do Elizabeth, you also!
Kimaada Jackson
ReplyDeleteIn my own perspective, Sojourner Truth's argument is that women are underestimated and morally reduced by men, spiritually and culturally. Women are independent divine creatures evidently as effective as man. Deductively she proves that, "if the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone," and Christ came "from God and a woman!" then society could be better off if the women were empowered.
Elizabeth Stanton's Declaration of Sentiments is an informant argument of inductive facts. She reveals how the government of 1848 had molded society to see women as peons of life and to induce an attitude of masculine supremacy. Stanton inputs her analysis of the laws created by men of the government that were made to break the foundation of women's strength and rights as pillars of mankind's existence.
In comparing the two essays Stanton concludes a request for equal treatment of women as citizens of the U.S. without gender discrimination.
In Truth's final ballad of her essay she supports the declaration by demanding equal rights for women for the sake of the nation.
In my figurative version of a conversation between the two women I imagined them in the 21st century spending an evening together celebrating their accomplished victories. Sulking in pride for their part in the accomplishment of women's equal rights, they exchange histories and points of views. Over tea they appreciate each other's significant roles in the making of the new nation...
The Tea Party of Two Forward Thinking Women
Sojourner walks in, greeted by Elizabeth:
Elizabeth Stanton: Happy women's rights day.
Sojourner Truth: And what an amazing name for a day. I feel humble, I feel strong, I feel important. I want to thank you for making this day possible and thank you for your strong voice and that thing in your head. What's it called?
E.S.: Intellect.
S.J.: That's it.
E.S.: Well, this day wasn't made possible by one woman. I owe thanks to you as well Sojourner Truth, because without your support and your strong bearing soul this day may not have been possible. It was your voice that awakened many women and brought us forward.
S.J.: After I heard the contents of your declaration I was compelled to speak and rise up for women all over the world if not for myself because this world is missing the strength of women and it was like they say, a man's world but man aint the only creature living here. There are a few men I'd like to commend for their presence here on earth. Thomas Jefferson had a declaration much like yours.
E.S.: Yes it was a strong set of paragraphs. When I thought about how to form my arguments I knew all along what was being taken and refused to women but I had not had my fill yet. When Lucritia Mott was denied the right to speak at the Anti-Slavery convention it was that day that filled my cup.
S.J.: The Declaration of Sentiment, why did you call it that?
E.S.: the things that there laws were depriving us of were the things of sentimental value to any citizen. We as women are sentimental creatures anyway. And man being so clever and witty recognized that. They had been using that to our mercy for as long as civilization existed, depriving us of the sentimental property of citizenship- Sentimental entitlement of a citizen and that’s all we were missing. We needed that in order to be whole.
S.J.: All that work you put into making it possible for us women to wake up, use our minds and our voices is something that we can never thank you enough for.
E.S.: Let’s just make sure our daughters and sons of our children never feel less important than they really are and lets show them how to exercise their intellects to make a better world.
S.J.: It’s gone be hard but we can do it. I know it. We got to start in our schools.