The K Experience

Women's History Month and Sojourner Truth

Present - Here and Now

Sunday, 30 March 2008

Sojourner Truth

So, how many people noticed that this month was Women's History Month? It's nearly over now, and ...well...I didn't notice a difference. Well, let me explain what I mean...

I'm not sure what kind of difference to expect to be honest, but just like Black History Month, if you're gonna dedicate a whole month to a cause, then shouldn't the month be a little different? The whole point of these "months" is to raise awareness for those that have been marginalized, in this case women. So wouldn't that mean more coverage of women's issues in mainstream media, and schools and in the work place? I'm not the most outgoing person and don't watch that much TV, so maybe it has been in people's faces big time, or even a little bit, and I managed to miss it somehow, but I doubt that. The only thing that I noticed was a women's group protesting or rallying about something outside the Federal Building on Wilshire Boulevard in LA on March 8th, which was International Women's Day.

Federal Building Los Angeles

It seems to me that these "Months" don't really last the month, so what is the point? Does it have the impact that it should have? Are people more aware of the lot of women and the discrimination that is still around in our day and age? Has much changed because of this period of time allotted to women's history? Maybe it has, but someone will have to educate me of its effectiveness. And to those women who are reading this right now, what do you ladies think? Is it a case of: "We're special now cos we have a whole month just for us"? Does it make a difference to your lives? Actually the question should be did it make a difference in your lives (the past month that is)?

In my opinion, which is that of a black man in relation to Black History Month, which has a similar purpose to that of Women's History Month, it seems like a cheap attempt to reconcile the lack of awareness, and wrongs that had been done. "Yea, we can give them a month to do what they want. That will shut them up for the rest of the year." or if people complain "What ?!! You have a whole month!! What more do you want?".

Do curriculums in schools change for that month? If not, why not. If so, shouldn't there be a component of which reflects in the whole academic year? I remember when I was at school (as a student and a teacher), Black History Month was non-eventful, and Women's History Month was nonexistent.

Or maybe it could be a case of "If we make it good for them, then everyone will want a month". Gay History Month, Mexican History Month, Gay Mexican History Month...the list could go on, and there's only 12 months in the year*. Or maybe like for Augustus and Julius Caeser, we could accommodate by adding a few extra months.

Well before they name a Black Women's History month, and to do my bit to honor the month which is coming to an end let me talk a bit about Sojourner Truth, the Lady in the top picture. Originally named Isabella Baumfree, she changed her name herself in 1843. She was one of the first women, and the first black's to fight for the freedom and recognition of both women and blacks. She was born into slavery in 1797 and was sold to numerous other people in her lifetime. She ran away from her final slave master, and saught refuge with a family who eventually payed the princely sum of $20 for her freedom. Since then she travelled the country as a speaker and an advocate for women and blacks and in 1851 at the Ohio Women's Rights Convention gave her most famous speech known as "Ain't I a Woman?", one of the most powerful speeches I have read, and one that sums up her life better than I could:

Well, children, where there is so much racket there must be something out of kilter. I think that 'twixt the Negroes of the South and the women at the North, all talking about rights, the white men will be in a fix pretty soon. But what's all this here talking about?

That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and 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 my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain'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 as well! And ain't I a woman?I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?

Then they talk about this thing in the head; what's this they call it? [member of audience whispers, "intellect"] That's it, honey. What's that got to do with women's rights or Negroes' rights? If my cup won't hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart, wouldn't you be mean not to let me have my little half measure full?

Then that little man in black there, he says women can't have as much rights as men, 'cause Christ wasn't a woman! Where did your Christ come from? Where did Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him.

If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the 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 them.

Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner ain't got nothing more to say.

--Sojourner Truth

I'd never heard of Sojourner Truth before the guest Pastor at my church talked about her in his sermon, which was nearly a month ago now. He gave the sermon because of Women's History Month, so I guess it ~~does~~ did have its benefits in educating me. But is that enough? Unfortunately, I don't know how many of the congregation remember what the sermon was about. Let's not leave it for a specific month to come about before we educate ourselves about the world in which we live. We need to be aware of and sensitive to all the issues around us, no matter what month it is.

*Disclaimer: The sentence is in no way intended to offend gays or Mexicans.
Source: Picture of LA Federal Building from US Department of Veterans Affairs, pictures of Sojourner Truth from A Series of Tubes blog, and Wikipedia. For more information on Women's History Month see Info Please, and International Women's Month.

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