As people who want justice in the black community we need to develop empathy concerning cultural racism.

Sojourner was born a slave but in 1827, she became an abolitionist. In 1851, Sojourner spoke at a woman’s right convention after a clergyman said women should not be entrusted with voting rights.

She gave the “Ain’t I A Woman?” speech:

“Well, children, where there is so much racket there must be something out of kilter. I think that ‘twixt the negroes of the south and the women of the north, all talking about rights, the white men will be in a fix pretty soon. But what’s all this here talking about?

“That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud puddles, or gives me any best place. And ain’t I a woman? Look at me. Look at my arm. I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could help me. And ain’t I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man — when I could get it –and bear the lash as well. And ain’t I a woman? I have home 13 children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother’s grief, none but Jesus heard me. And ain’t I a woman?

“Then they talk about this thing in the head, what’s this they call it? (member of the audience says “intellect”) That’s it honey. What’s that got to do with women’s rights or negro rights? If my cup 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? Then that little man in black there, he says women can’t have as much rights as men, ’cause Christ wasn’t a woman. Where did your Christ come from? Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman. Man had nothing to do with Him.

“If the first woman 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. And now they is asking to do it, the men better let them.

“Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner ain’t got nothing more to say.”

Come on Marshalltown, come on America, let us start loving one another. Let us remember the song writer, John Newton who wrote the song, “Amazing Grace.” He brought the black person to America and made them slaves. He later became a Christian. In that song he says, “I once was blind, but now I see.”

O God, help us to see once again.