Tuesday, February 5, 2008

AIN'T I A WOMAN ?

Isn't it just wonderful to recieve the right knowledge/information, at just the right time.

With all the "election stuff", and the womenwomyn working to work together, all the colors trying to fit into one box, (don't look for me to be in that box=i'm being used :D ), and just all the transitions we are going through- the changes--connected to the New Things that God is ushering in....

I was led to go back and remember, such a Woman of Faith, through a child's book that we bought for our goddaughter.

Now, I have known her story for the better part of my life, but something about reading her story, right now-today, while within the midst of God's changes and transitions based on His plan for the world, my life, and the lives of those around me.....

It's nothing that I can actually touch, nothing that I can physically hold on to, or even see....But, it is His Spirit-that something, that I feel deep within me-fully unfolding as it spreads throughout my spirit, body and soul. How It fills me up! I just have to say, Yes Lord, water the seeds that You put into me. Revive the life from the dryness that creeps in to make me want to do like Jeremiah did in Jeremiah chapter 20.

But then i remembered that God does not look on the outside of us as people do each other--He looks and knows the heart of a person. And on time as always-His Balm starting to kick in. Thank You Jesus!

And all I did was ask God, in Jesus' Name, to Please Minister to me. I asked Jesus to Minister to my body, my spirit, and my mind. And He did.

...nothing else could accomplish the work, except FAITH!

In the Name of Jesus' I pray that the Work of God in and for my life will continue to encourage you to keep standing, to keep believing, to keep wanting a deeper relationship with Him...I pray that you stay encouraged long enough to believe by Faith. This I ask of God as I know it is done, Yea Amen.

AIN'T I A WOMAN ?


Sojourner Truth (1797-1883)

Delivered in 1851 at the Women's Convention, Akron, Ohio.


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 your 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.

************************

**There is a poem that was written by Erlene Stetson-interpreted from Sojourner's speech. Here is what I found out about it =

(The following is quoted from an editor's note in the anthology where this poem is found)

"There is no exact copy of this speech given at the Women's rights Convention in Akron, Ohio, in 1852. The speech is adapted to the poetic format by Erelene Stetson from the copy found in Sojurner, God's Faithful Pilgrim by Arthur Huff Fauset, (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1938). "The poem and note, along with other great women's poems, can be found in Ain't I a Woman: A Book of Women's Poetry from Around The World, Illona Linthwaite, Editor. New York: Wing Books, 1993, page 129.

JUST A LITTLE BACKGROUND-TO REMIND YOU.....

Sojourner Truth (1797? - 1883) was the self-given name, from 1843, of a woman born into slavery. The name she was originally given was Isabella Bomefree (later changed to Baumfree). The year of her birth is uncertain, and is usually taken to be 1797.

She escaped to Canada in 1827; after New York state abolished slavery that year, she returned there in 1829, worked as a domestic servant for over a decade, and joined Elijah Pierson in evangelical preaching on street-corners. Later in life she became a noted speaker for both the Abolitionist movement and the women's rights movement. Perhaps one of her most famous speeches was Ain't I a Woman? (although official records of this speech do not contain this phrase), a short but pointed commentary delivered in 1851 at the Women's Convention in Akron, Ohio.
In 1850, she worked with Olive Gilbert to produce a biography, the Narrative of Sojourner Truth. During the American Civil War, she organized collection of supplies for the Union.
See also: Slave narrative
In 1997 the NASA Mars Pathfinder mission's robotic rover was named "Sojourner" after Sojourner Truth.

External links and references
Genealogy note
Narrative of Sojourner Truth: http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/truth/1850/1850.html

An obituary written by Harriet Beecher Stowe is available from the Electronic Text Center, University of Virginia Library: http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/


2 comments:

Mes Deux Cents said...

WTM,

Thanks for this; Sojourner Truth was an amazing woman. Her story can't be told enough.

They make all of these films about nothing; they should make a film about Sojourner's life. A film like that would have all the elements of a great film; action, adventure, drama, bravery and intrigue.

wisdomteachesme said...

YOU ARE WELCOME MDC :D

we have plenty of ways to be and stay encouraged by the lives that have lived!

Amen