Religion without humanity is very poor human stuff.
Sojourner TruthRead
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?
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the strength and resilience of women, particularly in the face of suffering and injustice.
Sojourner Truth's quote powerfully highlights the struggles faced by African American women, particularly in the context of slavery. By repeating the phrase, 'And ain't I a woman?', she asserts her identity and worth, challenging societal norms that sought to diminish her experience and humanity. Through her lament of losing her children and the pain only Jesus could understand, she conveys a deep sense of grief and strength, illustrating the intersection of gender and race while calling for recognition of women's resilience and suffering.
Themes
WomanStrengthResilienceSlaveryMotherhoodGriefIdentity
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a women's rights rally to reinforce the importance of acknowledging the struggles women face.
More from Sojourner Truth
All quotes →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?
Sojourner TruthRead
The rich rob the poor and the poor rob one another.
Sojourner TruthRead
Good man! Genuine gentleman! God bless George Thompson, the great-hearted friend of my race.
Sojourner TruthRead
Because of them I can now live the dream. I am the seed of the free, and I know it. I intend to bear great fruit.
Sojourner TruthRead
When I left the house of bondage I left everything behind. I wasn't going to keep nothing of Egypt on me, an' so I went to the Lord an' asked him to give me a new name. And he gave me Sojourner because I was to travel up and down the land showing the people their sins and bein' a sign unto them. I told the Lord I wanted two names 'cause everybody else had two, and the Lord gave me Truth, because I was to declare the truth to the people.
Sojourner TruthRead
Similar quotes
I'm not going to sit around and be peace and love with somebody's boot on my neck.
Kathleen HannaRead
Smears are not only to be expected but fought. Honor is to be earned, not bought.
Margaret Chase SmithRead
They say you never know who's the real hero and who's the real coward until you're looking death in the face. I've always been afraid of plenty of things, but fear isn't what makes you a coward. It's how depraved your heart becomes when fear gets pumped through it.
Neal ShustermanRead
We have not journeyed all this way because we are made of sugar candy.
Winston ChurchillRead
...as your father, my instinct is to protect you ... Other people will want to protect you too. But remember that you are not a damsel in distress, waiting for some prince to rescue you. Forget the prince. With your brain and your resourcefulness, you can rescue yourself.
Brad MeltzerRead
As a woman I can't go to war, and I refuse to send anyone else.
Jeannette RankinRead