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DeAnna Miller

Derick Milgrim

Honors English 11

3/4/2013

Research Paper

America is a leading modern world force, but one with flaws as all

great things do. The harsh treatment of blacks and of women is a stain on

our society, which is still present today. In the early 1900s, black women

were left behind in societal progression, cursed with the "evil" of being a

women and of being black yet through all of this, they were still expected to

uplift their race. Faced with the stigma of being lesser on both sides, black

women had to fight to eventually be given the full realm of rights other

Americans were already guaranteed.

African American women were responsible for a lot of advancements in

America. They had to literally embrace their selves, they were America's own

forgotten faction. "The role that the educated Negro woman must play in the

elevation of her race is of vital importance. There is no sphere into which

your activities do not go. Gather, then, your forces; elevate yourself to some

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lofty height where you can behold the needs of your race" (Culp 21). Culp

was publishing a quote originally spoken by Mrs. Sarah Dudley elaborating

on how important it is, even while supposed "Unalienable rights are being

ignored, to lift up the depressed and address the needs of the oppressed.

The philosophy of black female leaders was that they received their

education for the elevation of the race. They believed in the moral

superiority of women, that the degraded state of the black race was a result

of the degraded state of its women, and that only through the actions of

black women would their lot improve." (Perkins 1) It was expected for black

women to take the reins because the world was watching and frankly, it was

expected. Black women realized the scrutiny and the standards they were

expected to meet and rose to the occasion on many platforms to lobby for

change.

The stage many black women chose to fight for was through civil

rights. Though the civil rights movement didn't garner a lot of attention until

the mid-1900s, an active role in lobbying for the defeat of racism was always

prominent in the black community To my mind there was no way you could

make segregation decent or nice or acceptable said Rosa Parks. (Herman

10) She was an activist in later time in the movement, inspired by other

black women who made it possible for future generations to take such a

mighty stance. An exemplary candidate, Mary Burnett Talbert, was an early

1900s civil rights leader who eventually helped start and run the National

Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Talbert was a

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womans rights activist with many achievements and she never stopped

lobbying for black rights also. The NAACP advocated for the appointment of a

colored commissioner; "Mary Talbert was proposed as a most able and

capable individual to represent the Negro community in many positions"

(Danette 54) Talbert is another example of how black women had to fight on

both sides, she focused on civil rights but was not limited to just that. Mary

also was a feminist. Black women like Mary further prove what lengths were

necessary in order to earn human rights.

Womens suffrage was a turning point in American society, earning those rights however

took time and the contributors towards the goal were known as "feminists". Black women were a

special case in America, not truly reaping the benefits in which suffrage offered, but they still

fought for the cause. Sojourner Truth is an example of such a woman, delivering a famous

speech at a womens convention that is quoted today.

"Then they talk about this thing in the head; what's this theycall it? [Member of audience whispers, "Intellect"] That's it, honey.

What's that got to do with women's rights or Negroes' rights? If mycup won't hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart, wouldn't you be

mean not to let me have my little half measure full? (Truth

Sojourner)

Truth begged the question of her womanhood while providing the many jobs required of her as a

black woman, the expectations she had to meet and how strenuous they were yet she still isnt

qualified human rights because shes a woman? Truth's speech was memorable and her words

were often referred to during the 1900s to help women eventually achieve their right to vote, and

to be thought of as capable as their male counterparts.

Black women in America were fighting an uphill battle for their rights, a

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long and difficult fight that required perseverance and brilliance. We should

never forget the brutal treatment of black women in America, as black

women are still today facing prejudice. America is grateful for the dedication

black women have displayed, they put the American pledge to a test, making

our country up hold its allegiance to Liberty and justice for all