Alfre Woodard reads Sojourner Truth

[@MaestroMusic]

Who needs Disney Princesses when we have Sojourner Truth!

[@dkward313]

Well said and so true!

[@MaestroMusic]

Thanks.

[@AgrathaDinakaran]

In absolute awe of both Sojourner Truth and Alfre Woodard. Such powerful words channelled so brilliantly. We really need more of this today!

[@WandaCasamento59]

I love this. Alfre Woodard, delivery was spectacular,You could tell she wanted to do this and she put every ounce of herself and more into it. The spirit of Sojourner Truth came to life.But Alfre Woodard also acted out Sojourner Truth spunky personality and made her appear so real,someone you would of loved to have met.

[@neuralmute]

This is the most powerful reading I've ever heard of this speech! I like to think that Sojourner Truth herself sounded something like this back in 1851... Alfre Woodard is perfect here. I hope Ms. Truth would have appreciated this, and how far we've come, while recognising how far we still have to go.

[@Michelle-pn9xt]

This was not her speech, so she would not have appreciated this at all. I am not her, and I do not appreciate it. Another woman changed the words and wrote this speech.

[@neuralmute]

@@Michelle-pn9xt I've only just become aware of this fact, and the manipulations of history by white historians. I truly wish that an actor of the calibre of Alfre Woodard had known, and had access to the original speech, so she may have done it justice. That said, she gives the incorrect text a powerful performance full of conviction. I hope she has a chance to perform the proper text one day.

[@nyldek]

what a masterful reading! i am in awe! i listened to this again and again, just because she is so good. a powerful piece powerfully delivered!

[@hunterflores929]

Damn, that was INCREDIBLY done!

[@breonnaqueen]

I absolutely love Sojourner Truth. One of my favorite people in history. Decades later and you can still feel the emotion in this speech.

[@sojournertruth2117]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aIOke62arbeamMU

[@Cheri174evr]

Well, she certainly was a Sojourner, and she spoke the Truth.

[@TheBloopification]

Absolutely my favorite speech... Like, ever. And this rendition is anazing, too. It's not often that I listen to historical speeches more than enough times to write notes, but I find myself coming time and time again to this. Sojourner Truth- I'm in love with this speech.

[@seanroche2358]

Still love this it means so much,thanks.

[@elmirekidd1731]

I LOVE!!! Alfre Woodard and this clip she did on Sojourner Truth is worthy of being repeated a 100 million times over!

[@KatieWilliamsfiberopticnow]

A powerful performance of such a sassy, and intelligent speech. I wish I could have heard the original!

[@sojournertruth2117]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aIOke62arbeamMU

[@ikwang97]

Yass! I love this speech and I wish that I could have met Truth.

[@neuralmute]

Don't we all! I'm imagining what colaberation between her and Maya Angelou might've been like, and it is awe inspiring!

[@Michelle-pn9xt]

This is an altered speech. This is not Sojourner's speech.

[@ThePedrosanta]

This effects me right down to the core of my soul .Thank you so much,three minutes and I remember there are such great good people who walk and did walk this earth.

[@undergroundsoul94]

We watched this in my soc/women's studies class today, and I got chills, there were LITERALLY goosebumps running up my arms. It was amazing.

[@jshah35]

Great performance, the title is misleading though. This version is actually the 1863 rendition by Frances Dana Barker Gage who deliberately altered Truth's original speech in order for the vernacular to appear typical "black southerner." Truth was in fact raised in New York and utilized a much different more formal style.

[@sojournertruth2117]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aIOke62arbeamMU

[@lesliepodell8001]

Hello this is the incorrect “Ain't I a woman speech”’. This speech in this video was actually written by Frances Gage 12 years after the real “Ain’t I a woman speech” was given by Sojourner. Frances Gage, a white abolitionist published her speech and falsely attributed it to Sojourner. The original speech was transcribed 12 years earlier by a reporter, Marius Robinson, and published in the Anti-Slavery Bugle. It can be referenced in the Library of Congress archives. chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83035487/1851-06-21/ed-1/seq-4/ If you dig just a little deeper you will see the facts are pretty irrefutable. Here is a link to a site that compares and explains why there are two speeches and why the wrong one is attributed to Sojourner. www.thesojournertruthproject.com It is important for many reasons why we re-educate the public about the original and correct speech. For one Sojourner was from upper New York and spoke English with a heavy Dutch accent that is now lost. The speech that Frances Gage wrote and attributes as Sojourner give Sojourner an uneducated southern slave dialect. Why is this important? Because it is another step in the dumbing down of our nations rich and complex black history. Second it was not Sojourner’s identify. Third it helps in erasing our nations northern slave history. I could go on and on. What is important is that we rigorously provide the truth and when wrong take steps to correct them. I am asking you to please correct your mistake in using the wrong “Ain’t I a Woman” speech and at the very least make a mention and provide a video link to the correct one so your students can be aware of both. Thank you so much for your time in reading this long email. It has been very difficult to sway the general public that something held as the truth for so long is not correct and it is time to give Sojourner back her authentic speech and voice. I am very proud that the National Woman’s History Museum, National Parks Service, Googles Doodle page and Google arts and culture page, Wikipedia and many other sites now offer the correct speech. Would you please consider doing the same? Thank you so much. Leslie Podell Website that compares and contrasts the two speeches www.thesojournertruthproject.com

[@catherinehammond5245]

@@lesliepodell8001 BLESS YOU. Really. Why did Frances Gage ever feel she had to change Sojourner's speech and persona, I don't know. She strikes me as a good woman for the work she did, but the hints of racism are there nevertheless.

[@lesliepodell8001]

@@catherinehammond5245 Hi Catherine, yes I think Frances Gage was an important part of American history, American feminist history particularly pertaining to the suffragette movement. I am not saying she is bad. I’m just trying to set the record strait for Sojourners legacy and accurate American and black history. I don’t want to guess why Frances Gage chose to misrepresent Sojourner, however given that establishing the intrinsic rights of all races was a corner stone in building the argument for women’s rights these woman are tightly wind up in establishing rights for woman. I would say Francis was harnessing the power what we would now call PR/media to alter Sojourners speech to make it more emotionally captivating to sway people’s opinions. Frances was not trying to be malicious. Both woman are very important and when we examine why this incident happened and look deeper into the politics of gender race and language it tells a fascinating story about out own history. It’s a valuable speech because of this opportunity! Thank you

[@ElderPinkerton]

This presentation of "Ain't I A Woman?" is the most powerful I have ever heard. She gives me chills. She makes "...wouldn't you be mean not to give me my half measure full?" a VERY powerful line. Wonderful presentation.

[@SpeakTruer]

Such powerful words that came from such a great woman in 1851!!!! This, Alfre Woodard, did the most wonderful performance of the speech I've ever heard. Bravo to you Ms. Woodard!!

[@DieBlutgrafin]

I love this speech. Very moving, even 150 years later.

[@ereka333]

I'm reciting this for my history class and I feel so much more confident after watching this video .

[@kikikareema5912]

Sojourner Truth had a dutch accent. She didn't learn English until age 9 when she was sold away from her Dutch master's home after he passed away. She was born in New York so she wouldn't talk like this. This speech was written 12 years after by a white woman. May I say a few words? I want to say a few words about this matter. I am a woman’s rights. (a) I have as much muscle as any man, and can do as much work as any man. (b) I have plowed and reaped and husked and chopped and mowed, and can any man do more than that? I have heard much about the sexes being equal; I can carry as much as any man, and can (c) eat as much too, if (d) I can get it. I am as strong as any man that is now. As for intellect, all I can say is, (e) if women have a pint and man a quart - why can’t she have her little pint full? You need not be afraid to give us our rights for fear we will take too much, for we cant take more than our pint’ll hold. The poor men seem to be all in confusion, and dont know what to do. Why children, if you have woman’s rights, give it to her and you will feel better. You will have your own rights, and they wont be so much trouble. I cant read, but I can hear. I have heard the bible and have learned that Eve caused man to sin. Well if woman upset the world, do give her a chance to set it right side up again. The Lady has spoken about Jesus, how he never spurned woman from him, and she was right. When Lazarus died, Mary and Martha came to him with faith and love and besought him to raise their brother. And Jesus wept - and Lazarus came forth. And how came Jesus into the world? (f) Through God who created him and woman who bore him. (g)Man, where is your part? But the women are coming up blessed be God and a few of the men are coming up with 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.

[@GingerPack]

I have heard this speech by others yet Alfre Woodard definitely does it true justice I love this clip,

[@ThePedrosanta]

This means so much to me it is so great and powerful.Thanks.

[@RobinFee74]

I have laughed and cried and praised. This transcends age and race. Amazing!

[@seanroche2358]

I simply adore this,I just don't know why,powerful.Thank you so much for this.

[@bohogal1]

First time I ever read these words, my whole attitude and perspective changed!

[@blahblah3485]

awesome delivery

[@dilanyalcin3180]

What a wonderfull speech!

[@jcextranow]

She is such a performer when it is necessary and has such a stage presence that makes for interesting dialogue

[@dzpstar55]

speechless she acted it out so well thumbs and the emotion was just beautiful congrats and thumbs up

[@mzfivestarchik352]

i like this poem like so much.. This is one of my best poems Ive read so far

[@LadyMaven]

Amen, sing it sister! "The men better let them."

[@anneheyden1554]

Literal goosebumps. This speech is amazing!

[@ccdolfin]

My favorite actress reading my favorite historical heroine!!!!

[@jamien.5528]

Best performance of this speech yet imo!

[@longdivision9831]

I'm only here cuz of a school assignment lol

[@itsribery769]

same

[@hilariousimpasta2407]

me too

[@mehinmusagil2515]

@@hilariousimpasta2407 sameee😌

[@jenni1948]

i hate this class (HIST100)

[@bdwbalance4721]

I love that speech and if u a black woman u should be thankful and none of us would be here if it wasn't for woman

[@autumnrain0507]

So powerful and beautiful!

[@2mauram]

What a wonderful speech!!!

[@honsombody7127]

this is really good and true

[@jfluter]

Love this! Very powerful!

[@malikhadad32]

That Sojourner, she was the Truth.

[@kellylbarron]

@hmkg1941 Ms. Alfre Woodard channels Sojourner's spirt here. It carries me away to another time, and reminds me that the time is now.

[@victoriafernandez3191]

this crowd was amazingggggg

[@Lisa_MS64]

It was later told, by those in attendance, that by the time she was finished speaking, the very rafters of the building shook from the thunderous applause and cheering from the women in the audience.

[@OrionAdvertising]

Inspiring, especially today.

[@michellewilson6962]

Fantastic!!!

[@Smartkid2387]

Awesome!

[@arianatemurian3224]

So empowering, funny and chilling!!!

[@stormaggeden]

Her words are so powerful

[@margiedaniels489]

Powerful!

[@ABCScandalFanatic]

I love seeing different Black women put their own take on this poem. This was really good, Cicily Tyson did it beautifully but I am a little partial to the Kerry Washington version - Regardless, a wonderful speech that still resonates today.

[@GregMcverry]

Great reading. I wish it had the Creative Commons license versus the Standard KZbin license so I could do more with it.

[@tayartabrown9843]

Love it!

[@bluefirefairy6392]

Woooohooo!!!!! Standing Ovation here!

[@ThePedrosanta]

Is she a saint?I think she must be.This hit's me like a lightning bolt.Love this.

[@neuralmute]

Soujourner Truth should be a saint in the (unfortunately nonexistent) Church of Humanity!

[@DOMERAISER]

I, too, don't see Alfre as 55 years old; but what I really want to say is that I love her characterization of Sojourner Truth. I love seeing Ms Woodard on TV and in Movies (especially Passion Fish).

[@Michelle-pn9xt]

Do you see yourself as the age that you are? What does her age have to do with the video. This is not Sojourner's real speech anyway. The words have been changed. If a man speaks, you focus on what he is saying. You can do the same thing while listening to a woman speak!

[@nacly2706]

I think my favorite line is "where did man come from- God, and a woman. Man aint had nothing to do with it"

[@iosaturnalia]

Sojourner is the fiercest person in modern history.

[@christinecasey2458]

Sojourner Truth was a slave from Dutch New York who did not learn English until she was 9 years old and sold to an English owner. She would not have had a Southern accent.

[@lesliepodell8001]

Hello this is the incorrect “Ain't I a woman speech”’. This speech in this video was actually written by Frances Gage 12 years after the real “Ain’t I a woman speech” was given by Sojourner. Frances Gage, a white abolitionist published her speech and falsely attributed it to Sojourner. The original speech was transcribed 12 years earlier by a reporter, Marius Robinson, and published in the Anti-Slavery Bugle. It can be referenced in the Library of Congress archives. chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83035487/1851-06-21/ed-1/seq-4/ If you dig just a little deeper you will see the facts are pretty irrefutable. Here is a link to a site that compares and explains why there are two speeches and why the wrong one is attributed to Sojourner. www.thesojournertruthproject.com It is important for many reasons why we re-educate the public about the original and correct speech. For one Sojourner was from upper New York and spoke English with a heavy Dutch accent that is now lost. The speech that Frances Gage wrote and attributes as Sojourner give Sojourner an uneducated southern slave dialect. Why is this important? Because it is another step in the dumbing down of our nations rich and complex black history. Second it was not Sojourner’s identify. Third it helps in erasing our nations northern slave history. I could go on and on. What is important is that we rigorously provide the truth and when wrong take steps to correct them. I am asking you to please correct your mistake in using the wrong “Ain’t I a Woman” speech and at the very least make a mention and provide a video link to the correct one so your students can be aware of both. Thank you so much for your time in reading this long email. It has been very difficult to sway the general public that something held as the truth for so long is not correct and it is time to give Sojourner back her authentic speech and voice. I am very proud that the National Woman’s History Museum, National Parks Service, Googles Doodle page and Google arts and culture page, Wikipedia and many other sites now offer the correct speech. Would you please consider doing the same? Thank you so much. Leslie Podell Website that compares and contrasts the two speeches www.thesojournertruthproject.com

[@2mauram]

She is awesome

[@JayAntoinette]

Casting for a Sojourner Truth bio piece: Tika Sumpter (perfect) Tomiko Fraser Lupita Nyong'o Viola Davis

[@neuralmute]

Where's Alfre Woodward?!?!

[@JacobWoodring]

Replace carriages with car and replace slavery with prison... this still holds true today.

[@JamesMondesi]

Awesome

[@yhyperlover]

@pmiller1967 i agree. historical speechs should be repeat as it is read no mordern day correction

[@brimadison8930]

HELL YES

[@GoofballLtG]

Amen!

[@IrmaGS-ri8cs]

[@m1shaya]

I LOVE HER! She is amazing. Cicely Tyson CANNOT compare to Alfre's version!

[@seanroche2358]

She is a saint!

[@raecooker]

i like cicily tysons way of presenting it

[@Kushsnuggie]

🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@sarafina333]

pause it at 3:05

[@itsribery769]

yes

[@lisaevans622]

Amen

[@kikikareema5912]

I like African American history to be represented acccurately. This speech was fabricated and written 12 years after it was given in Akron, Ohio. A white woman wrote this speech and reshaped how we should think of Sojourner Truth. If you think about it. Sojourner Truth was from New york so where would she get a country accent? Why would she be saying "Ain't"? She was also born to a Dutch master in a area where many of the slaves spoke Dutch. She didn't learn English until she was age 9 when she was sold to an English speaking master. Sojourner Truth was said to have a Dutch accent. This is her real speech. May I say a few words? I want to say a few words about this matter. I am a woman’s rights. (a) I have as much muscle as any man, and can do as much work as any man. (b) I have plowed and reaped and husked and chopped and mowed, and can any man do more than that? I have heard much about the sexes being equal; I can carry as much as any man, and can (c) eat as much too, if (d) I can get it. I am as strong as any man that is now. As for intellect, all I can say is, (e) if women have a pint and man a quart - why can’t she have her little pint full? You need not be afraid to give us our rights for fear we will take too much, for we cant take more than our pint’ll hold. The poor men seem to be all in confusion, and dont know what to do. Why children, if you have woman’s rights, give it to her and you will feel better. You will have your own rights, and they wont be so much trouble. I cant read, but I can hear. I have heard the bible and have learned that Eve caused man to sin. Well if woman upset the world, do give her a chance to set it right side up again. The Lady has spoken about Jesus, how he never spurned woman from him, and she was right. When Lazarus died, Mary and Martha came to him with faith and love and besought him to raise their brother. And Jesus wept - and Lazarus came forth. And how came Jesus into the world? (f) Through God who created him and woman who bore him. (g)Man, where is your part? But the women are coming up blessed be God and a few of the men are coming up with 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.

[@lindaparker6102]

Read it Alfrie ! Read !

[@joannalorenzini]

I love this video. As a transgender woman I love it and like it

[@JulesSRo-pb2uc]

Ain't I a Woman?

[@Tblazizthemic]

Ain't I a Woman?! Yes, yes I am!!

[@specialclock]

@pmiller1967 can you explain why sojourner would preach against them today? what do you define as a "feminist" today?

[@sweetangelcake13]

Beautiful... Ain't I a woman!!!!!!!!???????????

[@nikkiray9]

hmmm powerful..

[@themar9961]

I thought this was Viola Davis until the cam zoomed in

[@dukedvl6977]

Mariah 🔥

[@bambezzl2]

the captions on this are SO WRONG !

[@cirillo9334]

wow nobody has commented in years

[@rrichmondboy]

@hmkg1941 Cicely Tyson did this the best

[@2mauram]

Mr. Dueng she was acting out the speech form of the times

[@DreamTeamZombiesMem]

I learned this speech in english just cause im 12 dosnt mean i dont understand it

[@seanstanchina600]

only watched because school

[@Kenywos]

Aint she from Luke Cage

[@INVISIBLEGUY0987]

lol

[@FalconAlpaca]

@markgonzgonzales no, that isn't true. A feminist supports rights for women and thinks men and women are equal.

[@DonChaffins]

Alice Walker did a better reading. Just my opinion. Alfre Woodard sounded artificial and stilted.

[@alulim7]

i heard this aint even the real speech though

[@tomelifeisjustonebig]

It's terrible that they got this guy, Alfred Woodard to read this, even if he looks feminine. It's called "Ain't I a Woman" for god's sake!

[@awkwardgeek4694]

Smh

[@bytewizerd2712]

Ew feminists

[@pizzatime9196]

feminism wasnt as cancerous back then as it is today

[@erosamuk]

Alfre Woodard = Sojourner Truth 👍🏼👍🏼😍

[@KarenAllmond67]

Powerful!