Sojourner Truth Essay

Sojourner Truth is an African American woman who became one of the most prominent and crucial figures in African American history due to her persistent activism during the 19th century. She was born into slavery in New York in 1797 and witnessed the brutality of slavery firsthand, including separations from her family. Truth was eventually freed in 1828 and persisted to commit her life to help the eradication of enslavement and the liberation of African Americans. She grew to recognition as a result of her strong activism and determination. She traveled across the United States, addressing her background as a former slave and endorsing the abolition of slavery. Truth also stood for women's rights, notably the right of women to vote and equal

Truth was exposed to a unique blend of religion, which combined the mystic faith of the Hardenberghs with the African animism of her parents. After being separated from her parents when she was nine, she worked for four separate households. Within these households, Truth was forced to do several different jobs. This also led to abuse from other owners. Her second master “beat her for speaking Dutch instead of English” (Kort 2016). She was vastly intelligent and memorized what was read aloud to her, which even included the Bible. In 1799, “the state of New York began the gradual process of emancipation” (Educational Video Group 2005). This means that by July 4th, 1827, those held in captivity before 1799 would be free. This allowed Truth to be free from captivity. In 1810, John Dumont, a white farmer, bought Truth and employed her as a field hand, maid, and cook. She was then married to an older slave, Thomas, and together she had five children, one of which died during infancy. She left Dumont, who had “deceived her” (Kort 2016) in 1826, which happened to be one year before New York State liberated its slaves. She was then protected by the Van Wagenens, who were against slavery and kindly took Truth in. Truths’ birth name is Isabella Baumfree, as she was the daughter of Baumfree and Mau-Mau Bett, who were also captive slaves. In 1843, Truth

In this speech, Truth comprehensively explains in detail her experiences in captivity and how she challenges the idea of her being less incapable than men. Truth argues that she has experienced both the hardships of slavery and the challenges of being a woman, yet she is just as strong and capable as any man. She calls for equal rights for women, arguing that they deserve the same opportunities and respect as men. Truth further brings up how “Nobody ever helps me into carriages, over mud puddles or gives me any best place, and ar'n't I a woman? … I have borne thirteen children and seen them almost all sold off into slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard—and ar'n't I a woman?” (Kort 2016). The speech was recorded by delegate Frances D. Gage, who recalled that those in the audience were moved to applause and tears by the passion and emotion of Truth's words. In 1853 at the Broadway Tabernacle, Sojourner Truth delivered another influential speech, "The Women Want Their Rights”. She used the portrayal of Queen Esther from the Bible as an example of feminine strength. She even spoke, "We have all been thrown down so low that nobody thought we'd ever get up again; but we have been long enough trodden now; we will come up again" (Truth,