The Black Suffragist
The Black Suffragist explores the contributions and struggles of early 19th century African-American women within the women’s movement. Black women and their achievements are typically footnotes in historical storytelling. However, most people may be familiar with Sojourner and her iconic “Ain’t I A Woman” speech. There is no question that Sojourner Truth is a notable figure in women’s rights, but she is only one important voice. There are a number of untold stories with respect to Black women and equal rights. In 1844, Ida B. Wells was forcibly ejected from a train for refusing to be seated in the Negro section of a train. This event occurred 81 years before Rosa Parks was arrested for not giving up her seat on a bus in 1955. African-American
activists were in a unique position of being neither male, nor white. Furthermore, they were not totally embraced by the women’s group. And so, they had the double burden of staring down sexism, as well as institutionalized racism. The prickly topic racism sheds light the hypocrisy of those who sought equality, but practiced discrimination.
activists were in a unique position of being neither male, nor white. Furthermore, they were not totally embraced by the women’s group. And so, they had the double burden of staring down sexism, as well as institutionalized racism. The prickly topic racism sheds light the hypocrisy of those who sought equality, but practiced discrimination.