Category: DB3

In the text Seneca Falls Convention, “Declaration of Sentiments” (1848), one quote that stood out to me was “The history of mankind is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations on the part of man toward woman, having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over her. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.” This line stood out to me because I felt this sentence as it shook me to my core. That quote states that we are still living the same unfortunate reality. The “history” is not really history if us women never stopped getting hurt by men whether that is politically, socially, emotionally, etc. That men have a horrid oppressive rule over women and it is not new, but it is definitely old. It has been going on for fat too long. Another quote that stood out to me was “He has endeavored, in every way that he could, to destroy her conficence in her own powers, to lessen her self-respect, and to make her willing to lead a dependent and abject life.” This line stood out to me because I have encountered and seen this happen to so many women on Tv, social media, and real life. Men crush women’s dream and potentials so that they can be under their wing and not surpass them. So that they can be dominant, in control and superior. 

According to the article -“An Appeal to the Christian Women of the South” usually, women are participants of abolitionist movement. Angelina Grimke is a really good example of this activities. She tried to persuade women of the immorality of slavery. She said : “…an inalienable right to liberty, then it is equally true that no man can be born a slave, and no man can ever rightfully be reduced to involuntary bondage and held as a slave, however fair may be the claim of his master or mistress through wills and title-deeds….”

Question #2:

When reading over the two versions of the speech by Sojourner Truth I can see both similarities and differences in each version. Instantly the first thing I noticed was that in Frances Gage version he switched up the wording and gave it a southern slave dialect in which it is a bit harder to understand on my end. On the other hand, Marius Robinson’s is much easier to read and understand being that it uses wording that we are used to. There were sentences and words used that meant the same in a different way for example “if women have a pint and man a quart – why can’t she have her little pint full?” (Robinson’s version), and “If my cup won’t hold but a pint and yourn holds a quart, wouldn’t ye be mean not to let me have a little half-measure full?” (Gage’s version). But something they have in common is in the way they both kept the important message of her speech, women’s rights and slavery. 

1. What do you see as the relationship between women’s movements and abolitionist movements?

Grimke, Stanton and Anthony directly quote the same portion of the constitution; We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; “that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Anthony speaks of an encounter with a senator who wrote arguments for the abolitionist movement, “And this principle every republican said amen, when applied to black men by Senator Sumner in his great speeches for “Equal rights to all,” from 1865 to 1869; and when, in 1871, I asked the Senator to declare the power of the United States Constitution to protect women in their right to vote, as he had done for black men, he handed me a copy of all his speeches during that reconstruction period, and said, Miss Anthony, put sex where I have “race or color,” and you have here the best and strongest argument I can make for woman.”

Both Pieces by Stanton and Anthony take arguments that were used in legal battles for abolitionism and used them so to apply to women, and made arguments against taxations without representation, being bound to laws and the social contract of a society that does not, in turn, recognize you as a full person, but of the property of another. Stanton expresses that women have been “fraudulently deprived of their most sacred rights, we insist that they have immediate admission to all the rights and privileges which belong to them as citizens of the United States.”

Grimke, in her much shorter piece, illuded to some of these themes. In Well’s piece, she examines the visible outpouring of rage felt once black men had gained the right to vote, and the many repercussions taking the form of voter suppression and barbaric violence, some of which carry on to this day, which highlights the deliberate intent of some to control the bodies and freedoms of others and use them as commodities for their personal and economic gain. Wells writes, “By an amendment to the Constitution the Negro was given the right of franchise, and, theoretically at least, his ballot became his invaluable emblem of citizenship. In a government “of the people, for the people, and by the
people,” the Negro’s vote became an important factor in all matters of state and national politics. But this did not last long. The southern white man would not consider that the Negro had any right which a white man was bound to respect, and the idea of a republican form of government in the southern states grew into general contempt. It was maintained that “This is a white man’s government,” and regardless of numbers the white man should rule.”. This struck a note of similarity to the way Anthony describes the commodification of women by men that, for all intents and purposes, owned their daughters and wives.

What do you see as the relationship between women’s movements and abolitionist movements?

The women’s movement and abolitionist movement are somewhat similar, however the differences are the group of people and how they were treated. The relationship between the two is that the the abolitionist movement was a way to stop slavery, to end the mistreatments towards people of color. The united states became a nation to value personal freedom,” all men are created equal”. As for women’s movement, women’s right to fight for equal right as men. it applied to reform policy movements on topics like voting rights, abortion rights, domestic abuse, maternity leave, equal pay as men, and a lot of other things. women’s right to fight for equal right as men.

These goals were accomplished , they may had not been about the same thing but however in a way they can connect to each other. These movement were made for the same reason, to stop inequality , to stop the mistreatment that people of color were getting but also the mistreatment of women. The rights that women didn’t have. women and people of color were not allowed to vote at some point. women being sexually assaulted or abused, same thing with people of color.

What do you see as the relationship between women’s movements and abolitionist movements? 

Both the women’s movements and the abolitionist movements were similar and amplified each other in a way. They were both big changes people needed in society, of very big groups. Women used these movements as chances for speaking up for their rights and beliefs, criticizing society’s rules/standards. As from the reading and research, women’s rights were limited, as their husbands and 0verall men had more power over them. Women weren’t allowed to own property, education, or even vote. With that said they had little of a voice, there was none in office, as they weren’t allowed and seen as less still in society.

The abolitionist movement, as to how women were seen as less, similar but much more harsh there was slavery that was in need to end. Due to racism, people discriminated against for their skin color. They were treated as objects of trade to sell and money and labor to bring white people better in the end. Due to two groups put down for things seen as less in society, and they worked for change for being treated equally.

What do you see as the relationship between women’s movements and abolitionist movements?

A women’s movement is an act where women demand for a secure legal economic and social equality. It’s when they advocate for a change within society. This is done because most of the time men are seem superior than women. This movement has been going on for many years already.

On the other hand, an abolitionist movement was primarily done to end slavery. People were discriminated based on their skin color and were mistreated for who they were. This mostly affected black men because they were sold like if they were some kind of object.

The relationship between these two is that they both have the same purpose. Women’s movements and an abolitionist movement were created to put an end to inequality. They were meant so people were treated fairly no matter their gender or skin color.

“But there are other Christian women scattered over the Southern States, a very large number of whom have never seen me, and never heard my name, and who feel no interest whatever in me. ‘But I feel an interest in you, as branches of the same vine from whose root I daily draw the principle of spiritual vitality—Yes! Sisters in Christ I feel an interest in you,”.

Angelina Grimké, Appeal to Christian Women of the South, 1836

While reading Angelina Grimké’s words for the first time, I immediately understood the type of person I was listening to. Soon after, She also says, “it is not written in the heat of passion or prejudice but in that solemn calmness…”. True to heart words that deeply crave understanding and support. She speaks to Christian Women of the South to take part in mending the wrongdoings done by their legislation. Pronouncing it a “great moral conflict,” in which it is but appeasing their Christian obligation. Their Christian obligation to gather other Christians, using the Gospel and calling upon change; for it is right and just.

“when unwelcome light is pouring in upon the world on the subject of slavery…. We must come back to the good old doctrine of our forefathers who declared to the world, “this self-evident truth that all men are created equal, and that they have certain inalienable rights among which are, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” It is even a greater absurdity to suppose a man can be legally born a slave under our free Republican Government, than under the
petty despotisms of barbarian Africa.”

Angelina Grimké, Appeal to Christian Women of the South, 1836

I understand the sentiment behind the words our forefathers and its use by Angelina Grimké but it leaves me wondering if it was with the idea that “all men” was to include Black Men and Women. I don’t believe it was written with the intent to include any man who wasn’t white. So is this a call to change that narrative as well? Is it the start to change and enforce the idea that when we say “all men” it is to include Black Men and Women?

1. What do you see as the relationship between women’s movements and abolitionist movements?

The relationship between women’s movement and abolitionist movement is they are both movements fighting to end inequality. Just both are different groups. The abolitionist movement is mistreatment of people of color. Womens abolitionist movement is to end inequality for women.

1. Discuss the two versions of the speech by Sojourner Truth. What do we see when we compare the two versions? What can this show us about the context of that time?

The comparison between the two versions of Sojourner Truth speech in 1851 to Frances Gage version in 1863 is Sojourners version I felt more bad and hurt based on the calmness and choice of words. Yet Frances Gages I read more with anger and rage on the unfairness treatment in women.

1. Pick a quote or two from one of the texts that spoke to you or that confused you. Describe and explain the quote(s) as best as you can and/or identify your questions about them.

In the article “is it a crime to vote” by susan b anthony the quote that spoke to me and really did make me appreciate the women that fought for women’s right is “Her husband sued the corporation and recovered $13,000 damages. And those $13,000 belong to him bona fide” Mind you it was the wife that got injured not the husband yet she couldn’t even keep a single dollar.

1. What do you see as the relationship between the women’s movements and abolition host movements?

The relationship I see between the women’s movement and the abolition movement is that since the women’s rights movement began to emerge around the 1830’s more and more recognition was found. And yet when long alliances were broken, old friends and those who were in the abolition women’s movement parted ways to join another company.

2. Discuss the two versions of the speech by Sojourner Truth. What do we see when we compare the two versions? What can this show us about the context of that time?

When comparing both speeches I see that they basically say and question the same thing which is a woman’s strength. For example; “I have as much muscle as any man … I have plowed, and reaped and husked and chopped and mowed.” This just goes to show that a woman’s strength is very much underestimated by men. Especially during their day and age where women were sort of looked down upon from doing a “man’s work” or “eating as much as a man”. Sojourner Truth states it loud and clear that; “…can eat as much, too … if women have a pint and man a quart – why can’t she have her little pint full?”

3. Pick a quote or two from one of the texts that spoke to you or that confused you. Describe and explain the quote(s) as best as you can and/or identify your questions about them.

“You need not be afraid to give us our rights for fear we will take too much, for we can’t take more than our pint’ll hold.” I find this quote very interesting because it was the first sentence I read while skimming through the speech. I don’t even know how to put my explanation into words because this quote for me says it all, and I don’t have anything more to say or add to it.