Jamia Millia Islamia University

M.A. English Department

The racial and gender implications in

Sojourner Truth's “Aren't I a Woman”

Submitted by:

Abbas Dakhil Abd

202307776

Submitted to:

Prof. Shimi Doley

New Delhi
December 2023
 The racial and gender implications in Sojourner Truth's “Aren't I a Woman”

Introduction:

The world has borne witness to various facets of racism, human rights abuses, disputes,
violent conflicts, and racial tensions. Throughout each period, individuals have sought to
define human rights and justice within their respective domains. Some have become the face
of movements, marked by their dedication to fostering change through advocacy and action.
Sojourner Truth, a champion for the oppressed, stood valiantly for African-American
civil rights, women's rights, and alcohol temperance. Her powerful speech, “Aren't I a
Woman,” resonates even in the postcolonial era, serving as a cornerstone in the ongoing
battle against racial and gender inequality
In her passionate oration, she detonates a narrative explosion, demolishing the
delicate structures of sexism and racism that were erected upon the shoulders of Black
women in 19th-century America. Infused with her lived experiences and righteous
indignation, her words vividly depict a woman who grappled with the chains of slavery and
the stifling constraints of societal expectations
Truth's work forms a tapestry intricately woven with threads of individual adversity
and shared resistance. She exposes the harsh truths of life in bondage, where her womanhood
was ruthlessly stripped away, her body reduced to a mere instrument for labor, and her voice
forcibly muted. However, within the depths of despair, a spark of defiance emerges. She
narrates instances of resistance—escaping the chains of bondage, charting her own course—
her spirit resilient, refusing to be snuffed out.
Yet, Truth extends beyond her personal journey. She broadens the narrative to
embrace the struggles of all Black women, posing a potent question: “Aren't I a woman?”
This seemingly straightforward inquiry, resonating within the walls of a women's rights
convention, transforms into a rallying call—an insistence for acknowledgment and
inclusivity. She dismantles the hypocrisy inherent in a movement that advocates for women's
rights yet overlooks the distinct challenges faced by Black women.
The potency of Truth's oration lies in its capacity to transcend its historical setting,
reverberating with present-day audiences. Her words persist as a rallying call against the
intersectional oppression experienced by Black women, disrupting not just gender norms but
also confronting the deeply rooted racial biases ingrained in society.
Crafting the Struggle and feminism
Truth vividly portrays the harsh reality of existence as a Black woman in a society structured
upon white supremacy and patriarchal authority. She narrates the brutalities, both physical
and emotional, endured during the era of slavery, where her body served as a mere instrument
for labor, and her voice was suppressed to a mere whisper. Despite confronting such
dehumanizing circumstances, her spirit remains resilient, illuminated by a flame of defiance.
She recounts tales of breaking free from bondage, carving her unique journey, and steadfastly
rejecting the confines that society attempts to impose upon her.
Truth's brilliance lies in her ability to expose the hypocrisy of the women's rights
movement of her time. How can a movement championing women's rights while turning a
blind eye to the specific struggles of Black women? Her words pierce through the veil of
white womanhood and expose the double bind Black women face – oppressed by both race
and gender.
For instance, “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?” carries a powerful
double meaning it's a defiant assertion of physical strength and capability. By drawing
attention to her arm, the very tool she used for such demanding labor, Truth challenges the
stereotype of Black women as frail or incapable. She demonstrates that she has not only
survived but thrived in harsh conditions, performing tasks traditionally reserved for men.
It stands as a courageous challenge to societal constructs of womanhood. The
engagement in manual labor, conventionally linked with masculinity, is deliberately
contrasted with Truth's assertive declaration of her womanhood. This compels the audience to
grapple with the restrictive expectations imposed on women and recognize that attributes like
strength, resilience, and industriousness are not confined to any specific gender.
Moreover, the poignant expression, “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 ain't I a woman?” lays bare the unfathomable personal anguish endured by Truth.
Enduring the sorrow of bearing thirteen children, only to witness the majority sold into
slavery, is a depth of suffering that surpasses verbal description. The unfiltered emotion
encapsulated in “mother's grief” pierces through, compelling empathy and acknowledgment
of her inherent humanity. Simultaneously, it underscores the societal suppression of the pain
experienced by Black women. The imagery of her cries going unanswered, “none but Jesus
heard me,” underscores the deeply rooted racism that denied Black women the right to be
heard, the right to articulate their vulnerability and sorrow.
On the flip side, the line “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?” boldly challenges conventional
perceptions of female fragility. Truth affirms her physical strength and endurance,
emphasizing her capability to match men in strenuous labor and endure the harsh punishment
of the lash. This shatters the myth of Black women as inherently weak or unsuited for
arduous work.
Yet, the line transcends individual strength. The phrase “when I could get it” unveils
the grim reality of limited resources and rations for enslaved women, laying bare the systemic
inequalities they confronted where even basic sustenance was uncertain. This powerful
statement from Truth's speech serves as a rallying cry for acknowledging the diverse
experiences of women and dismantling detrimental stereotypes. It serves as a reminder that
strength and resilience manifest in various forms, and womanhood should not be confined by
societal expectations or the imposed limitations of others.
Additionally, Truth addresses another facet: "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? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him." Here, Truth
directly confronts an argument used to deny women equal rights – that Christ himself was not
a woman. She ingeniously reverses the narrative by highlighting a fundamental truth of
Christianity: Jesus was born of a woman, Mary. This straightforward statement undermines
the idea that womanhood is somehow incompatible with divine power or authority.
Sojourner Truth's impactful line serves as a reminder that the struggle for equality
must extend to all facets of society, including religion. By challenging the very foundation of
patriarchal arguments, she lays the groundwork for a more inclusive and just world. Beyond
the specific context of Christianity, Truth's point resonates with broader themes of creation
and origin. Her question, "Where did your Christ come from?" implies that all humans,
irrespective of gender, originate from the same source—one that is inherently feminine and
divine.
Truth's commanding voice and confident demeanor dismantle the stereotypical
portrayal of a submissive and fragile woman. She wholeheartedly embraces her strength,
fundamentally questioning the idea that femininity cannot coexist with activism and
intellectual prowess.
 Through her emphasis on physical strength and the capacity to bear children, Truth
reshapes the narrative of womanhood on her own terms. She refuses to be confined by
societal restrictions, rejecting imposed limitations on women and affirming her unequivocal
right to identify as a "woman," irrespective of societal expectations.
The message conveyed in the speech remains relevant today, echoing the enduring
challenges of racial injustice and gender inequality. Sojourner Truth's words serve as a
poignant reminder of the continuous fight for equality and justice that extends to every
individual in society.
Conclusion:
Truth's speech is revolutionary in its dedication to spotlighting the distinct experiences of
Black women within the broader landscape of women's rights. She unveils the shortcomings
of a movement that advocates for female equality while overlooking the specific challenges
endured by Black women as a result of systemic racism.
By shedding light on the harsh truths of slavery and its enduring effects on the lives of
Black women, she questions the concept of a universal "womanhood" and calls for
acknowledgment of the varied experiences encompassed within this category. This
intersectional perspective laid a foundation for subsequent feminist movements to adopt a
more comprehensive and nuanced comprehension of gender oppression, encouraging
inclusivity and recognizing the multifaceted nature of discrimination.
Truth boldly challenges the idealized image of womanhood that prevailed in 19th-
century America—a portrayal marked by passivity, domesticity, and the privilege of
whiteness. Her personal experiences as a resilient and proficient laborer, a mother forcibly
separated from her children, and a survivor of profound hardships directly contradict this
narrow and confining definition.
In asserting her womanhood on her own terms, Truth confronts the notion that
specific qualities or life experiences should disqualify someone from embodying a "true
woman." Her courageous stand paves the way for a more diverse and empowering
understanding of femininity, breaking free from societal constraints and fostering a broader
and more inclusive appreciation for the richness and complexity of women's lives.