Sojourner Truth

Sojourner Truth: The Traveler

Today, men and women, young and old, gather together to protest on January 21, 2017, to advocate legislation regarding women’s rights and human rights. Inspiring many to speak up for what they believe in, the women’s march is a globally enacted event. Sojourner Truth was a woman who was active in these kind of events. By speaking up, she fought for freedom of slaves and women’s equality. She was considered a hero for establishing a movement leading the forge for women’s rights and equality for all, regardless of skin color. Together, her efforts shaped this beautiful country into what it is today. Sojourner Truth was a slave who was sold numerous times. Although she was a laborer, she refused to allow her lowly occupation silence her voice from speaking up for what she believes in. She was not afraid to stand up for others and was brave enough to tour the country to preach for what she believes in and starting a movement for equal rights. A hero must possess boldness and consideration; Sojourner Truth unsurprisingly exudes these traits. Preaching for what she believes in and never giving up, Sojourner proved herself bold despite her stature as a lowly victim of slavery by carrying her duties of raising awareness of equal rights for women and humans. Truth is revered as a considerate individual because she cared for the rights of the black and the female population. She was involved in the anti-slavery and women's rights movement. Sojourner Truth possesses boldness and consideration in which a hero and influencer hold.

Sojourner Truthhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sojourner_TruthLeading to several major impacts, Sojourner’s boldness made the world a different place. Truth was a woman who inspired many to speak up for what they believe in. “A former slave named Sojourner Truth electrified a women's-rights convention in Akron, Ohio, in 1851, striding to the front of the crowd through a raucous band of clergymen who were determined to disrupt the meeting” (Clift 1). Sojourner Truth was bold for sparking a women’s rights convention in Ohio. Truth did not allow the discrimination against her African American heritage stop her from striving to fight for women’s rights. Countless clergymen who opposed the meeting, wished to halt her efforts by disrupting it. However, she never stopped the meeting, even if the clergymen disrupted it. Truth disregarded her criticizers, which was particularly bold of her since many others didn't want to hear her words and opposed her ideas. She was determined to succeed and not give in to the disapproval and was committed to making the meeting a triumph. Although there were many opposers, Sojourner Truth never gave up, leading to people’s inspiration to make a dramatic impact on our world, even to this day. “The moral responsibility to speak out against the evils of slavery prompted more women, white and black, to enter public life. Together they drove the reform movement. Skin color didn't matter in the context of fighting slavery” (Clift 4). Following the Ohio seminar, Sojourner continued travelling and retelling her story. She captivated audiences with her inspirational narrative that continues to influence many to come together to culture a movement for change. Her speeches and stories have impacted so many people, that many began to unite in an effort to end slavery. Furthermore, Sojourner’s boldness has touched the hearts of many, attracting masses of people to end the struggle for women’s rights and equality for all. Subsequently, people began to realize that conditions limiting people as women were not worlds apart from hardships that slaves were unfairly subjected to. Sojourner Truth’s boldness has lead her to take risks and make an indefinite change in society. She was courageous to speak up for what she believed in. Raising awareness by the masses of people who continued to support her, Sojourner had inspired many people from the 1800s to the people of today’s modern age.

Never backing down from obstacles she is faced with, Sojourner is considered a hero because of her characteristics. She is considerate and prioritizes others’ welfare before her own. Sojourner revolutionized the world through her innovative, encouraging words for better future for all to reside in. Unsurprisingly, one of the most influential things is Truth obtained her consideration for others and her people through her work and efforts of fighting for women’s rights and human equality. “Sojourner Truth (1797-1883) was a black American freedom fighter and orator. She believed herself chosen by God to preach His word and to help with the abolitionist effort to free her people” (“Sojourner Truth”). Truth’s concern for other people’s well-being is what makes her so special. When Sojourner was free of slavery, she decided to start a movement to free her people. She sees that other citizens were forced to abide slavery, so she decided to end slavery, once and for all. Concerned for her people, Sojourner wanted her fellow African Americans to obtain rights that white citizens were eligible for. She was influential because she helped innumerable slaves break free of slavery’s restrictions and conceived a better world doing so. Fighting for slaves’ freedom was not Sojourner’s last achievement. After starting her movement for freedom of colored citizens, Truth founded another movement for women’s rights and realized that women did not have the same rights as men. She inspired many women to unite and fight for women's rights through her campaign for women to gain equal standing in society. Although she could not read or write, her stories inspired many people to raise awareness about slavery and women’s rights. When the women's rights movement started, it motivated more women and men to come into the public and speak out against slavery. Skin color had no place in participation of Truth’s movement taking the country by the storm. In February 1844, women came together and started an antislavery fair to raise money for the abolition of slavery. Doing so, they spoke about their thoughts and worries, coming to realize that women were not all that different from slaves due to lack of freedom both shared. Many started to speak up, so they could receive the freedom that they deserve. Sojourner had influenced people from back then and now. Sojourner Truth not only fought for freedom of slaves, women’s rights, and equality; She cared for her people and began to help them along the entirety of the long journey to freedom and equality. “During the Civil War, Truth bought gifts for the soldiers with money raised from her lectures and helped fugitive slaves find work and housing. After the war, she continued her tirade for the Lord and against racial injustice, even when old age and ill health restricted her activities to the confines of a Battle Creek, Michigan, sanatorium” (“Sojourner Truth”). Sojourner deserves the title of being a hero, for her consideration of others. During the Civil War, she aided recruitment African Americans for the war and distributed gifts to the soldiers. Demonstrating her care for others, Truth would do anything in her power to help ease the pain in others’ lives. Sojourner helped fugitive slaves seeking work and housing. Showing consideration for her people, Truth helped them as much as possible to dramatically improve their lives. Post war-time, Sojourner fought for freedom even during her old age. Refusing to give up and being kind enough to put others before herself,  Sojourner wanted to help her people gain the freedom they deserved. Sojourner’s thoughtfulness led her to become one of the most influential people in history. Because of her consideration for others, she helped shape this country into what has become of it, today.

A hero possesses boldness and consideration, two traits strongly exuded by Sojourner Truth through her work, action, and efforts to end slavery and gain freedom and equality for all, regardless of gender or skin color. She possesses two characteristics which makes her a hero and influencer. Sojourner Truth is hailed a bold and considerate individual.  She was involved in the anti-slavery and women’s rights movement and spoke up for what she believed in. Inspiring many people to join her movement to fight for their rights, Truth helped improve the cruel world by making it a better place for all to reside in. Sojourner made history and inspired people from the past to set a hopeful precedent for future generations to behold. Sojourner Truth is bold, considerate, and ambitious. She helped countless people and was brave enough to fight for women's rights and abolition of slavery. Truth continues to inspire many people today, with her courageousness. Sojourner set a good demographic for many young people then, and just as many adolescents now. Overall, Sojourner had helped shape this world and inspired many. She helped others through her acts of kindness, making the world a better place for all to reside in.

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