Truth's Sojourn

Said Sojourner Truth in an 1851 speech to the Women's Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio, "If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back, and get it right side up again!" A former slave turned abolitionist who ferried hundreds of slaves north along the Underground Railroad, Truth was also a preacher, teacher and women's rights activist.

Yesterday, on April 28, 2009, Sojourner Truth and Michelle Obama made bookend history. Michelle Obama became the first First Lady to unveil the first statue of a black woman at the Capitol Building. There is a certain beauty in the knowledge that Mrs. Obama, a powerful woman descended from slaves, was able to shepherd the last stages of this project, part of a larger sculptural celebration of women designated for the Capitol. The unveiled Sojourner Truth now stands free, a model to all people of the value of working for what you believe in, of standing up for Truth, even if the rewards recognized in your lifetime are relatively few. Sojourner was a storyteller, her people, my people, an oral tradition. Now, Sojourner Truth is legend.

Here is her tale: My name was Baumfree But I was not born free.My brothers and sisters, all thirteen, were sold out of my life, Perverting my experience of family. While still enslaved, I was forced to marry Thomas, Altering the sanctity of marriage. We had five children, who were slaves or bonded for many years. Slave laws were passed that made little sense. New York State passed the Gradual Emancipation Act of 1817 then Did not enforce it, even gradually, for more than ten years.

When my release date approached, I learned that Master Dumont had made plans to keep me enslaved. He illegally sold my son Peter to a plantation in Alabama Distorting the protections afforded me by law. My soul was tired. So I took my case to court. And I won Peter’s return to me Restoring my belief that unjust laws could be fought, And unjust behaviors might be punished.

Because ain’t I a woman created by God? Ain’t I got rights just like the white man thinks he owns me? I saw the problems of other slaves around me. I saw the problems of women too. So I told Jesus it would be all right If he changed my name. To Sojourner Truth. A traveling preacher, One who speaks the for people who have lost their strength. For those who like me, have lived lives of Perverted family experiences Altered marriages Distorted protections under the law Disrespected womanhood. No, on this earth I was not born free. But I became free. With tired feet With bloodied hands With a praying heart With God’s grace Freedom is my legacy.

(Written by L. McKinney for a celebration of women in the ministry, March 2009)