"Ain't I A Woman?"

Actress Kerry Washington shares an excerpt from the great Sojourner Truth's speech "Ain't I A Woman?"

[@whatisasoul3594]

I love her attitude with this it makes a great speech even better

[@jodiescookin1]

Best version ever!!!!

[@rayonjames930]

excellent acting and voice

[@rosemaryalles6043]

Love. Love. Love.

[@lesliepodell5538]

Hear the original version at www.thesojournertruthproject.com This is not the historically accurate version of Sojourner Truth's "Ain't I a woman" speech. This inaccurate but popular version of "Ain't I a Woman" is not Sojourner Truth's speech and is vastly different then Truth's original speech. Hear the original version at www.thesojournertruthproject.com This inaccurate popular version was written and published in 1863, (12 years after Sojourner gave the original "Ain't I a woman" speech), by a wealthy white abolitionist named Francis Gage. Curiously, Gage not only changed all of Sojourner’s words but chose to represent Sojourner speaking in a stereotypical 'southern black accent', rather than in her distinct upper New York State low-Dutch accent. Francis Gage’s actions were well intended however, by today’s standards of ethical journalism, Francis Gage's actions were a gross misrepresentation of Sojourner Truth’s words and identity. By changing Truth's words and her dialect, Francis Gage effectively erased Sojourner’s Dutch heritage and authentic voice. Francis Gage admitted that her amended version had “given but a faint sketch” of Sojourner's original speech but she felt justified and believed her new version was stronger and more palatable then Sojourner Truth's original version.

[@theninthofjanuary]

leslie podell thank you for this

[@sojournertruth2117]

Most people are familiar with the popular version you are highlighting of Sojourner Truth's famous, “Ain’t I a woman” speech but they have no idea that this popular version is not Sojourner's speech and is vastly different from her original 1851 speech. This popular but inaccurate version you are showing on your site was written and published in 1863, (12 years after Sojourner gave the "Ain't I a woman" speech), by a white abolitionist named Francis Gage. Curiously, Gage not only changed all of Sojourner’s words but chose to represent Sojourner speaking in a stereotypical 'southern black accent', rather than in her distinct upper New York State low-Dutch accent. Francis Gage’s actions were well intended and served the suffrage and women's rights movement at the time; however, by today’s standards of ethical journalism, Francis Gage's actions were a gross misrepresentation of Sojourner Truth’s words and identity. By changing Truth's words and her dialect, Francis Gage effectively erased Sojourner’s Dutch heritage and authentic voice. Francis Gage admitted that her amended version had “given but a faint sketch” of Sojourner's original speech but she felt justified and believed her new version was stronger and more palatable then Sojourner Truth's original version. The most authentic version of Sojourner Truth's, "Ain't I a woman," speech was first published in 1851 by Rev. Marius Robinson in the Anti-Slavery Bugle and was titled, “On Woman’s Rights”. The original transcription is housed at the Library of Congress. This website, www.thesojournertruthproject.com, is dedicated to re-introducing the original transcription of the speech and Sojourner's authentic voice. Yes! Dutch was her first language and she never had a southern accent. While this performance of Francis Gage's 1863 speech ( based on Sojourner's authentic 1851 speech) is indeed a great performance, it is an inaccurate portrayal of Sojourner's words and her authentic Dutch heritage. Please visit www.thesojournertruthproject.com/the-readings to hear Sojourner's original authentic speech in an Afro Dutch accent. As well as a link to the original speech housed at the Library of Congress.

[@abigdookie]

I like turtles and I'm at school :)

[@sojournertruth2117]

Love her but unfortunately she is reciting the incorrect version. This popular version was written by Francis Gage in 1863, a privileged white woman who published it under Sojourner Truth's name. Hear the original historically correct 1851 transcription at www.thesojournertruthproject.com