| 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.
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