Identify one of Sojourner Truth’s ascribed statuses. Explain how she ascribed
status blocked her effort to attain a “potential” achieved the status
Watch a video: Ain’t I a Woman—ascribed and achieved statuses?
YouTube URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vr_vKsk_h8
AIN’T I A WOMAN?
by Sojourner Truth
Delivered 1851 at the Women’s Convention in Akron, OhioWell, 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 plowed 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 many 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! The 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 are 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.
Your Tasks:
a) Identify one of Sojourner Truth’s ascribed statuses. Explain how her ascribed status blocked her effort to
attain a “potential” achieved status.
Sample Solution
