That Which Divides Women Divides Us All

In the fight for women’s rights, Sojourner Truth foretold the alliance needed to lift us all

R. Wayne Branch PhD
Fourth Wave
Published in
7 min readNov 2, 2024

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Photo by Europeana on Unsplash

“Ain’t I a woman?” — Sojourner Truth

Though different versions of Sojourner Truth’s 1851 speech to the Women’s Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio (two versions have emerged and at least one interpretation), most accounts regard her message as remarkably direct. Not just for its abolitionist stance! But also remarkable because the speech, given by a former slave who could neither read nor write, asked a very complicated question; why are Black women not regarded with the same exaltation as that given to White women?

Here’s an excerpt from the interpretation,

“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?” — National Park Service

The Past Is Prologue

The theology of Martin Luther and John Calvin found in the Protestant Reformist roots and teachings that still define for the U.S. the meaning of “God and Country,” also gives religious legitimacy and political integrity to the de facto race and gender biases plaguing U.S. society to this day. Biases that too often play themselves out in a societal regard that sees, and treats, White women with higher esteem than Black women (women whose pigmentation easily denotes their African origin). Differences that have a profound impact on religion, politics, and education within the nation.

Take the words of Kansas City Chief’s Kicker, Harrison Butker in his commencement address at Benedictine College (May 11, 2024). “For the ladies present today, congratulations on an amazing accomplishment….I want to speak directly to you briefly because I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you…Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.”

Photo by Levi Meir Clancy on Unsplash

Now, let’s be clear. Mr. Butker was unabashedly talking to, and about, White women. For most assuredly, he could not have considered the centuries old, and growing, wealth gap that makes it possible for White women to fulfill the role he described and very much less likely for Black women to ever realize this dream. In 2022, for every $100 in wealth held by white households, Black households held only $15. His words hit their intended audience though. (The applause he received lasted 18 seconds.)

His affirmation, seemingly, was a guarantee for women to reap the rewards of life, living, and lifestyle for those who keep the faith (as his wife does). More importantly, however, it confirmed that what can be seen as the Protestant Reformist values of the Religious Right brings not just their husband’s favor, but more salvation in fulfilling their role in God’s grand design.

In 2022, for every $100 in wealth held by white households, Black households held only $15

Mr. Butker is not alone

U.S. society has probably not seen such turmoil over women’s rights, roles, and responsibilities since Women’s Suffrage. This is why J.D. Vance’s rants about “childless cat ladies” got more star-studded media attention than actual complaints. For many, his words reinforced millions of women’s beliefs that their elevation is a God given reward for being equally yoked (married) to a man whose beliefs are the same as theirs. The debate about who controls what happens to a woman’s body resonates much less with those who see their bodies as vessels housing souls already given to God, family, and community.

To a great extent, this explains the long-awaited intent of reversing Roe v Wade, which the last three Supreme Court justices were appointed to fulfill. That state houses all over the country have followed this directive should also not be a surprise. To the faithful, including millions of women, the fight the Democrats are waging is not over reproductive rights and freedoms. To the faithful, the fight is against the perpetuation of the lies Mr. Butker was referring to. Making reproductive freedom perhaps one of the 2024 election’s cornerstone fights a very big gamble.

Women’s Rights Advocate, Photo by Nationaal Archief on Unsplash

On whose back is the stairway to Heaven built?

Sojourner Truth’s declaration gave breath to the pain she bore, physically and emotionally, for not being elevated in the same way as White women. And let me be crystal clear, women are not monolithic. Neither are Black men, LBGQT community members, or Spanish speakers. There is more diversity of values, beliefs, and voices within these communities than the mainstream media and politicians lead us to know.

No, I’m proposing that genderfication (the assignment of masculinity or femininity) and colorization of messages influence thinking, attitudes, and behaviors. So accustomed is U.S. society to whiteness equating to family values, standards of beauty, and the dutiful wife, mother, and homemaker that backlashes leveled against Black Barbie dolls, a Black Little Mermaid, and demeaning threats against Michelle Obama (no matter her status as First Lady) are normalized.

The elevation of White women’s roles is also too often aligned with White supremacy and patriotic beliefs in God’s anointment of American Exceptionalism and Manifest Destiny. Where, in sharp and persistent contrast, the images of Black women are often ground into misogynistic domination needs. Tucker Carlson’s depiction of Vice President Kamala Harris during Trump’s Madison Square Garden October 29 Rally, is just the latest example of lewd depictions, from prominent White female Republicans to billboards on public highways, of Harris.

Black women: caught between misogyny, abuse, and murder

When I think about what Black women have had to bear in the U.S. and still do, images of Sally Hemings being paraded around Paris by her rapist and owner, the third president of the United States, come to mind. Ms. Hemings, who like many enslaved Black women, never saw freedom though they bore their master’s children. And if anyone questions how this differing regard impacts White and Black women today, look no further than 32-year-old Olympic track star Tori Bowie, whose death in 2023 shed a glaring light on the likelihood of Black women dying of pregnancy complications being three times that of White women (KFF.org).

Worse, yes worse, Black women have been made victims when Black men have been falsely accused of affronts and assaults committed against White women. No one should forget Mamie Till’s courageously showing the world what her son looked like after his savage murder by two White men enraged by what one’s wife said were fourteen-year-old Emmitt’s remarks. White men who never saw justice for their crimes. And let us not forget both the Black Wall Street and Rosewood massacres happened after similar fictitious events were reported. The death toll in the hundreds and the loss of property incalculable. And yet, again, those who incited these riots never were prosecuted for their crimes.

Sojourner Truth, Image courtesy the New York Public Library

Al Fin: Liz Cheney is a much needed traitor

Neither Sojourner Truth nor abolition was on the agenda of the Ohio Women’s Rights Convention in 1851. Her speech had no title and was seemingly given extemporaneously. As documented by convention organizer Frances D. Gage some twelve years later, Ms. Truth had to ask for the floor saying, “May I say a few words? I want to say a few words about this matter.”

My point is, that the country can no longer afford the time it took for Ms. Gage to realize that Sojourner Truth offered the gathering of women, and the nation, an outstretched arm of unity needing an immediate answer. Whether her words were “I am a woman’s rights” or “And ar’n’t I a woman?” the response should have been a resounding, “Yes!” Followed by an acknowledgment that the country’s struggles demand that White women put aside their elevation in favor of lifting the nation.

Yes, it takes courage to sacrifice one’s elevation. Especially when Heaven is the grand prize. By putting herself in harm’s way, and her own elevation aside, Liz Cheney has done just this. She has joined with Vice President Harris, and others, to lift the country. A crossing-of-the-line decision for which Liz Cheney continues to pay dearly.

However, it’s as Ms. Truth advised, “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.”

“But man is in a tight place, the poor slave is on him, woman is coming on him, and he is surely between-a hawk and a buzzard.” — Sojourner Truth

For more stories about racism and gender bias, follow Fourth Wave. Have you got a story or poem that focuses on women or other disempowered groups? Submit to the Wave!

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R. Wayne Branch PhD
R. Wayne Branch PhD

Written by R. Wayne Branch PhD

Social Psychologist/Educator; passionate about thoughtful discourse, magical moments, and my twins. Healthy stewardship are my windmills. Creativity is breadth!

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