Project Paper

Assignment 2

HUM 112

Student Name

Dr. McGeehan

Date

Introduction

For Assignment two, I chose the topic of “Women Challenge Their Audience” Lessons in Public Speaking. I initially chose this topic because public speaking is one thing that I struggle with and thought maybe I could learn something. While there were no tips, I was able to take away on how to better develop my public speaking skills, I certainly learned a lot of information not only about the speakers, but also about the city I live in. Charleston, South Carolina. Charleston is a historic city that was very involved in the slave trade many years ago. Of course, today we know that slavery was a very bad thing, but these women helped to create awareness and make changes that helped to end slavery. They also spoke of women’s rights and were some of the first women speakers to be heard on these topics.

Question One

Angela Grimke Weld was raised in Charleston, South Carolina. The daughter of Judge John F. Grimke and Mary Smith Grimke. Angelina and her sister Sarah were born into a wealthy Charleston family who were slave owners. From a very young age the sisters knew that slavery was wrong and wanted change. As they grew older, traveled and gave speeches against slavery and to promote women’s rights. Sarah successfully published “Letters on the Equality of the Sexes” in 1838 [Sayre, 1]. That same year, at the Pennsylvania Hall for Free Discussion in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Angela Grimke delivered a speech of antislavery even though mobs of people who opposed threw stones through the windows as she spoke. She was also the first woman in the United States to speak to a legislative body. This took place in 1838 also in front of the Massachusetts State Legislature where she discussed slavery (Ham, 2)

Sojourner Truth came from a different background. As a slave in her youth in New York with her real name of Isabella Baumfree, she experienced a different upbringing then the Grimke sisters did. She was able to escape slavery in 1827 by running away after her master failed to honor the New York Anti Slavery Law of 1827. She became religious and changed her name to Sojourner Truth in 1843. She also wanted change and got involved in the anti slavery movement as well as the women’s rights movement. In 1851, at the Women’s Rights convention at the Old Stone Church in Akron, Ohio, she delivered the famous “Ain’t I a Woman” speech. (National Park Service, 3)

Question Two

Each of these women faced obstacles that made it difficult in delivering their speeches. Both were trying to make changes when African Americans and Women were second class citizens. This must have been a big challenge to deliver their message. For Angela Grimke, an angry mob was literally throwing stones through the windows of the hall throughout her speech. She did not stop but continued on even though her safety was at stake. This was an important topic to her. She faced opposition everywhere she went because of her ideals. In 1837, Angela published Appeal to the Christian Women of the South. It was condemned in Charleston. In fact, she was never able to return to her hometown of Charleston, South Carolina because she was told that she would be arrested. (Talking Statues, 4)

Sojourner Truth faced similar issues. Luckily, she did not have an angry mob throwing stones as she delivered her “Ain’t I a Woman” speech. Afterwards when it came to publishing her speech, Rev. Marius Robinson modified it to remove the “Ain’t I a woman” quotes when published in the Anti Slavery Bugle. I can only assume that he did this to focus on anti slavery and to shy away from women’s rights. It wasn’t until twelve years later that is was published correctly by Frances Gage. (National Park Service, 3)

Question Three

Some lines from each speaker stood out as effective when connecting to the audience. Starting with Sojourner Truth, she exclaims “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!” [Sayre, 1] If that line itself doesn’t connect with the audience, I don’t know what could. It would put the audience in her shoes. I would imagine that many had children of their own and would think about their own children being taken away from them and forced into slavery. How would they feel as parents? She closed her speech abruptly by stating “Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner ain’t got nothing more to say”. (Sayre, 1) I though that even though it was a simple closing, it was strong as it showed her frustration with the times and current state of slavery and women’s rights.

Angela Grimke also made connections with her audience. She was in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and asked, “Cast out first the spirit of slavery from your own hearts, and then lend your aid to convert the South.” (History is a Weapon, 5) I thought this line was important because she is asking for those who did not oppose slavery to change their mind and to help change the minds of southerners who owned slaves. I like to think that in her mind, even if she was able to sway one person, it was all worth it. Her next line that connects was “It is admitted by some that the slave is not happy under the worst forms of slavery. But I have never seen a happy slave.” (History is a Weapon, 5) Much like Truth’s statement, Grimke is trying to put the audience in the shoes of those that she is trying to help. I think this technique is very effective and made the audience think about how this situation was really affecting all people.

Question Four

These speeches are very eye opening. I took away quite a few lessons from them, but the two most valuable to me are, never be afraid to speak out and even disagree with the majority when I know that something isn’t right or ethical in this case. Also, to stand my ground. Many will attempt to influence me and convert me to believe what they believe even though it is wrong or unethical. Always trust in my beliefs and do what is right even if it means creating some enemies. These things will never be easy. The speakers faced these challenges every day, but they did not alter what they believed in. Instead they spread their message and beliefs to all those who attended their speeches even though they faced dangers in doing so.

We should all take these lessons away as it is still important today. Every day our country is faced with racism, sexism, and many other biases that can hurt people. There should be no place for this as all it does is divide us. Our country is built on freedoms and each citizen is protected no matter their race, sex, political party. Maybe more people need to make speeches like this today to help change the mindsets of those that oppose.

Conclusion

I must admit I learned a lot from this assignment. Sure, we have learned about women’s rights and slavery in our history classes, but this assignment has really driven home what those went through that wanted changes. I was also able to learn some local history and was able to visit the home of the Grimke family in Charleston, South Carolina. My visit to the home provided some inspiration to the history of my city and will cause me to do some more exploring. Who would have known that a house that I have driven by hundreds of times could tell such a story. It makes me wonder what other stories I am missing out on. I will attach the pictures of my visit to the end of the paper as I think they are worth being a part of this paper. I have a new respect for what Grimke and Truth went through in order to accomplish the goal of spreading their message. They certainly had obstacles to overcome and they were successful!

References

1. Henry Sayre. (2015). The humanities: Culture, continuity and change, Volume 2 (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.

2. Becky Ham. (2016) The Eloquent Woman ( http://eloquentwoman.blogspot.com/2016/09/famous-speech-friday-angelina-grimkes.html )

3. National Park Service (2017) Sojourner Truth: Ain’t I a Woman? ( https://www.nps.gov/articles/sojourner-truth.htm )

4. Talking Statues – Charleston, South Carolina ( http://speak2.co/gri )

5. History is a Weapon ( http://www.historyisaweapon.com/defcon1/grimke.html )

Pictures of visit to the Grimke House, Charleston, South Carolina 11/14/2018