Ain't I a Woman?: Slavery Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Sentence)

Quote #1

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 (2).

When over half the population cries out against the injustices of the privileged, things are bound to change. Also, notice how Truth doesn't differentiate "negroes" into men and women, but made it clear that Northern women were the ones driving suffrage.

There was division even in groups focused on changing the world. White women were the ones driving the bus for suffrage, so they tended to focus on gaining support from white women. Sojourner was one of the few to point out that Black woman were women too.

Quote #2

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? (7-10)

This subtly points out that Sojourner—a woman—had been a slave. It's hypocritical to say that women are too feeble and dainty for labor and logical thought when thousands of Black women were enslaved and engaged in back-breaking labor.

Quote #3

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? (11-12)

Again, Truth's using her experiences as a slave as a wake-up call for the audience. Slavery didn't respect or protect women, yet society claimed females needed to be protected. Anyone spotting the logic problem?