Sojourner+Truth

Sojourner Truth Journal Entries

Although Sojourner Truth was uneducated and illiterate, she was gifted with a powerful voice. Since childhood she was driven by spiritual convictions; in 1843 she had a religious experience that made her believe God is commanding her to preach the gospel beyond regions of New York. As she traveled around, she met new abolitionists and spoke against slavery, and for woman's rights. Sojourner Truth's given name was Isabella Baumfree. She was born as a slave in Ulster Country, which was a Dutch settlement. She was one of thirteen children born to Elizabeth and James Baumfree, who were also slaves at the Handenbergh Plantation. When Truth was 9, she was sold off to slave owner John Neely for $100. When Truth was 11, Neely sold her for $105 to another slave owner Martinus Schryver, who owned Truth for 18 months. In 1810 Schryver sold her to John Dumont of West Park, New York. She was abused by most of her slave owners, where she got beaten and raped almost daily. Most details of her early life remains unclear.
 * Name:** Sojourner Truth
 * Age:** 53
 * DOB:** 1797
 * Birthplace:** Ulster Country, New York
 * Gender:** Female
 * Occupation:** Abolitionist, woman's rights activist, domestic servant, author
 * If in politics, what was your occupation prior to that:** Slave
 * Social Class:** Freed slave
 * Financial Situation:** Just enough to buy a house for $300. Before she had to keep working as a housekeeper.
 * Appearance:** African American, curly hair (tied), wears a bonnet, six feet tall.
 * Location:** Worcester, Massachusetts
 * Daily Routine:** Either work as a servant, or go around cities evangelizing and speaking against slavery.
 * Personality/Quirks/Unique Personality Traits:**
 * Past/Individual and family history:**

She escaped slavery in 1827, one year before New York's implementation of mandatory emancipation law. Soon after she started working as a domestic servant in New York City. Adopting the name "Sojourner Truth" in 1843, she became an orator, further pursuing her career as an abolitionist. Truth was forced by her owner Dumont to marry an older slave named Thomas, and gave birth to five children (one of whom died soon after birth). Later years, she would live to see her grandchildren.
 * Family:**
 * Social relations with others:** Sojourner Truth was affiliated with a lot of famous abolitionists, such as Frederick Douglas, William Lloyd Garrison, and a few others. William Llyod Garrison published her narrative book. Truth was a part of various freedom movement groups and conventions - some of which were: National Women's Right Convention, Ohio Women's Right Convention, and National Freedman's Relief Association.
 * Religion:** Christian
 * Education:** Never received education in an institution. She was illiterate and had to dictate her lifestory in her book //The Narrative of Sojourner Truth//.
 * Conflicts/Enemies:** Since she was an abolitionist, like Frederick Douglass, the Southern slaveholders did not like her.

The time frame is sometime during the year 1850. Consider all of the things that have taken place during the previous five years (Mexican-American War, Mexican Cession, Wilmot Proviso, Compromise of 1850, Fugitive Slave Act). You are free to write about any one (or more) of these things in your journal entry. Be sure to include your actions in response to one (or more) of these events.
 * Journal Entry #1:**

1850: Dear Diary, I feel that the risk I took to publish my new book, //The Narrative of Sojourner Truth,// was worth it in all ways. With the help of William Lloyd Garrison, my book was brought to perfection and publication. More importantly, my friend Olive Gilbert took the dictation of my narrative and wrote it for me. With the passing of the outrageous Fugitive Slave Act, I feel that the publication of my autography took place at a perfect timing.

My book will have much to offer for those who are looking for inspirations - motivations - or both and beyond. I was hoping that my troubled, and often helpless people living the way I used to would discover there is such a thing as freedom - that it is possible to obtain it. Wasn’t I among them, at point in my life? Yes - I was born a slave. Beyond my emancipation I am now able to hold property. I have just recently purchased my own house in Northampton; if I could achieve this, my fellow people can as well - no matter what the circumstances may be.

My autobiography for sure will allow me to speak to a greater number of audience - and even more will soon know liberation is not far away. Those fearing the Fugitive Slave Act will know from my book that time will come when they may gain freedom. Although the act prohibits any representation of southern slaves, God will find a way for them. With my efforts and God’s will, equality will soon approach.

Although the world isn’t free altogether, yet, I still thank God for so many things. If it weren’t for His gift of eloquence and rhetoric that He bestowed on me, I would never have been able to fight for liberty as much. I pray that my efforts will not be put into vain but an eventual key to unlocking the chains that strangle us. My plans for now is to head west and tell my the stories of my life. The best I can do to combat the effects of the Compromise of 1850 is to keep pursue what I have been doing since the last decade. I have also realized from recent travels and lectures that while women can be leaders of the abolitionist movement, we are not represented politically. What makes us deserve such inequality? I will soon address such issues as well, as I will be delivering a speech at the first National Woman’s Rights Convention in Worcester, Massachusetts.


 * Journal #2 -** The year is now 1852. Continue your story as you began in Journal #1. For this journal entry and all subsequent entries, you must interact with at least two other characters in each journal entry. When you interact with another character, provide a hyperlink to that character's page in your journal entry.

A lot seemed have happened since my last entry. I decided to mention only the most memorable experiences; the ones that changed both mine and others’ lives. After a long discussion with myself, I had decided that it is time to move on - away from Northampton. I decided to travel around cities and deliver speeches... Great things happened since then.

I said from my last entry that I found a new issue to fight for: woman’s suffrage. And since then I have made great achievements. Among them is my speech “Ain’t I a Woman?” that I delivered in 1851 at the Ohio Women’s Rights Convention. Would you like to read my favorite part of the speech? “I am a woman's rights. I have as much muscle as any man, and can do as much work as any man.” Yes, that is true. What is so different about men and women, that women cannot vote? Can’t women decide for themselves what’s best for anything? Ever since the deliverance of my speech, abolitionist newspapers have published my speech. Thousands, if not hundreds of thousands have heard my message. Until my heart stops pumping, I will be determined to bring change to the inequality.

One of publishers of my speech was Marius Robinson. As I was working with her (I still am), the editor of Ohio Anti-Slavery Bungle, I traveled around various states speaking for woman’s suffrage and anti-slavery. But guess who I met during these travels. Harriet Beecher Stowe. She is like me; she is strong willed, determined, and charismatic. Amid the social discriminations she has managed to bring much change to the status quo. Like me, she had published a book just last year: //Uncle Tom’s Cabin.// It was wonderful that I met her just recently this year. She wrote about me for the Atlantic Monthly and it was a great honor. And what’s more, she agreed to write a new introduction for my book //The Narrative of Sojourner Truth.// It will soon be done and I am awaiting for its completion.



Let me add one more story of a life changing experience to my entry. It seems like I have only talked about myself. Recently I helped Jim Jackson, a free African American living in the North. He escaped from his previous plantation and left his family to slavery. Everyday he dreams about his beautiful children; and also feels guilty for leaving them behind. We are exchanging letters on how he will get his family back. I am suggesting him the underground railroad - but I will wait for his reply...

So many things have taken place since the last three years. I am fighting everyday believing it will all be over one day. I have God with me and I will not worry much!

**Journal #3 -** It's 1854... the Kansas-Nebraska Act has passed. Squatters are now moving into Kansas in an attempt to sway the vote. Continue your story...

I feel the secession of the states of America exacerbating every moment of my life. The North and the South are keep splitting and splitting... to the point where I have to cast doubts about reconciliation between the two. What will happen to this nation? The biggest question for me, amid all this chaos, is yet again, slavery. With the passing of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, the Republican party has emerged as an outgrowth of the anti-Nebraska coalition. The Republicans, going under rapid growth, have come to a strong and growing attention on their position of slavery; they oppose the expansion of slavery. I am not exactly sure, though, whether this is a good thing or not. I guess it depends on how I view the situation. I know, for a fact, that the majority of the Republicans hold racial prejudice. They do not want blacks to stay where they are and stop expanding. Moreover, they are worried about their “free labor” system that they benefit so much from in the North. If slavery is permitted in the Kansas region, the free labor system would be rejected. The Northerners better well combat the Missourians who are rushing into Kansas to declare Kansas as a slave state... The bottom line is, the Republican party wants slavery to halt not necessarily from moral causes, but from commercial and racial reasons. But if this party did not emerge, slaveholders would dominate the West. Although I am still in the gray side, I must say it is a good thing that the pro-slavery sect emerged from the Kansas-Nebraska Act is being thwarted to a degree by the Republicans. I will consider this as the best route that God is providing for my people.

As for my life outside of this political contemplation, I had a great deal of joy helping my new friend Jim Jackson. I encouraged him to get inspired by the “Jerry Rescue” - which happened a few years back - 1851. It was when a man former slave named William Henry, who called himself Jerry, escaped from Missouri and got arrested in Syracuse under the Fugitive Slave Act. Hundreds of abolitionists broke into the jail and freed William! Eventually Jerry was taken to Mexico and then to Canada. I thought Jim could take the similar route Jerry did. I am now awaiting his reply on what he will do now. I am awaiting another reply - from Harriet Beecher Stowe’s reply; she has not finished the new introduction for my //Narrative//. I am planning to release a second edition of my book some time next year with the introduction. Oh, what delightful, mind binding art will she write!



**Journal #4 -** It's now 1856. Bleeding Kansas has just taken place and John Brown emerged on to the scene. Buchanan was just elected as the US President. Dred Scott is arrested and is about to be brought to trial. Continue your story.

The Union has become even more fractured since the last time I mentioned the Kansas-Nebraska Act. I am afraid, my prediction from the previous entry has turned out badly. The Missourians have been able to declare Kansas as a slave territory through their rapid settlement. I put my best efforts with all my fellow abolitionists to prevent this; and the Northerners, for other purposes, followed the same route. But what could we do? We were left powerless for President Pierce recognized the legislature. Then the proslavery forces took President Pierce’s recognition of proslavery-Kansas as a license to expel all us abolitionists... We could not do much... What’s even worse is that the radical abolitionist John Brown has instigated a violent uproar in the proslavery camps. As a result, more than 200 people died in the conflict - now being called “Bleeding Kansas.” There are two things I have got to say about this: 1. I do not condone violence in any manner as a way of resistance. 2. John Brown’s means in efforts to meeting the ends have in fact exacerbated the situation. Thus... matters have only gotten worse so far.

What’s more, President Buchanan has been elected. He opposes abolitionist activism, and wants to solidify the Fugitive Slave Act. My God, a proslavery president! I shall not be discouraged, though. The President appears to be just waiting for a solution for the Union to just come to him. And that’s what my fellow abolitionists will take advantage of. This may be the time to gain more support for abolitionists than ever! Besides, Dred Scott, whom I pay utmost respect, has managed to proclaim his freedom in a legal manner! Not many slaves have the guts to even talk against their master. But this man was brave enough to sue his master! The case reached national attention, and the outrageous order of Judge Taney, although unfortunate for Dred, will stir abolitionists and Republicans with even more anti-slavery sentiments (as it has already in me).

But let me say I wasn’t left completely powerless during this time. I never lost a single bit of confidence amid this turbulent political tension. Good things always happen amid any kind of trouble; even during darkening times like this. I must say that my second edition of the Narrative successfully got published with Harriet Beecher Stowe’s new introduction just last year. What a blessed collaboration this is! It is now receiving even more support; and I am glad I could become an inspiration to this many people. Not all my people know how they can combat the proslavery sentiment. So I must keep doing what I am doing now. Gather more people to listen and take action. Make blacks, women, and even the whites stand for equal rights and power in society!

Let me end with this - I have stopped hearing from Jim Jackson. The last mail I received was a year back, whee he said that his family is still awaiting to be rescued. Since then, I have not heard from him. With the happening of Bleeding Kansas, it seems like anti-slavery sentiments have worsened even more. Escape routes are being searched and closed down - regulation has become more intense. I pray to my Lord that I will hear from Jim soon and if I don't I hope he will one day be able to see his beautiful family...


 * Journal #5** - The year is 1860. Lincoln was just elected as US President, prompting South Carolina to secede. Write the next chapter in your story.

My Lord, what is our nation coming to? The nation has completely separated itself into two parts... and the North and the South seem almost irreconcilable. Why, South Carolina has already seceded from the Union. What’s worse is my fellow abolitionist, John Brown has been hanged! We never shared all the same philosophies, but I considered him as a fellow brother who was together with the abolitionists. Let the Lord have mercy on him!

With proslavery sentiments greater than ever, does this mean slavery will pervade? Absolutely not! I know my Lord will not let slavery prevail this way. Believing in my God, I know justice will be brought one day - the Southerners will learn to live on their own, not off of us! What’s more, President Lincoln has been elected. I remember his debate with Stephen A. Douglass - Lincoln denounced slavery as a moral wrong and desired to see it banned in the West. In ways his stance was ambiguous - but I must say he may as well be our salvation! Better off than being with James Buchanan, aren’t we?

Then how do I plan to help the nation? I will do what I have been doing, for that is what I am good at. I will keep encouraging my brothers to fight against the South. Let me tell you this in a logical manner. South will keep slavery no matter what. The North, then is my people’s only hope and I must do whatever it takes to help it. My grandson, James Cadwell, who is only 16, told me a few days ago that he will enlist himself into the army if war breaks out. And when I heard this, I was proud of him. Just as I am devoting my life to abolish slavery, I want all my fellow brothers and sisters to follow my path.

Well, good things are happening still. Guess what - my brother Jim Jackson has successfully escaped with his family! I met him in Michigan a while back, where I spoke for the Friends of Human Progress convention. It was certainly wonderful to see him and his family together! How beautiful they were! God for sure has lit some light in the dark for us.

I must join forces with my fellow abolitionists even more. I plan to speak at another convention soon in New York - with Harriet Beecher Stowe. My interaction with that woman has become greater than ever.

"Sojourner Truth -." //Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia//. Web. 10 Nov. 2009. . "Truth, Sojourner." //West's Encyclopedia of American Law, 2nd edition, published by Thomson Gale//. Web. 10 Nov. 2009. . "Sojourner Truth Biography." //Encyclopedia of World Biography//. Web. 10 Nov. 2009. . "In Her Times." //Sojourner Truth.org Home Page//. Web. 15 Nov. 2009. . Image: //Narrative of Sojourner Truth//. Web. 22 Nov. 2009. .
 * Bibliography**