2.14 Black Organizing in the North: Freedom, Women's Rights, and Education

Black communities in the North and South grew during the late 1700s and early 1800s, fostering a sense of unity through institutions in urban centers. Mutual-aid societies funded schools, businesses, and churches, supporting Black writers and speakers in sharing their experiences.

Black women activists used speeches and publications to raise awareness about gender and race issues in the 1800s. Maria W. Stewart, a pioneer in Black women's activism, published the first political manifesto by a Black woman and helped shape the early feminist movement.

Free Black community organization

Growth of free Black population

• Free Black population expanded significantly from the late 1700s to early 1800s
  • By 1860, free Black people made up 12% of the total Black population in the United States
• More free Black people resided in the South compared to the North
  • However, their proportion relative to the enslaved population remained small in the South

Community-building institutions

• Free Black communities in both the North and South were smaller in size
  • They fostered a sense of community through various institutions that flourished in urban centers (Philadelphia, New York, New Orleans)
• Established mutual-aid societies that provided financial support for the development of essential community resources
  • Funded the establishment and growth of Black-owned schools, businesses, and churches that operated independently
  • Supported the endeavors of Black writers and speakers, enabling them to share their perspectives and experiences

Black women's activist techniques

Speeches and publications

• During the 1800s, Black women activists employed speeches and published works as powerful tools to raise awareness
  • Highlighted the importance of considering gender and the unique experiences of Black women in discussions surrounding the abolition of slavery
• Delivered public speeches and wrote articles, essays, and books to share their perspectives
  • Aimed to ensure that the voices and concerns of Black women were not overlooked in the antislavery movement

Maria W. Stewart's contributions

• Maria W. Stewart emerged as a pioneering figure in Black women's activism
  • First Black woman to publish a political manifesto, outlining her views on social and political issues
  • One of the earliest American women to deliver a public address, breaking barriers and challenging societal norms
• Stewart's advocacy efforts in the 1830s played a significant role in shaping the early stages of the feminist movement
  • Her work laid the foundation for future generations of Black women activists and feminists

Significance of Black women's activism

Intersectional discrimination experiences

• Black women activists shed light on the unique challenges they faced due to the intersection of race and gender discrimination
  • Highlighted how their experiences differed from those of white women and Black men
• Emphasized the compounding effects of racism and sexism on their lives
  • Argued that addressing both forms of oppression was crucial for achieving true equality and liberation

Abolitionism and women's rights

• Black women activists played a vital role in the abolitionist movement and the fight for women's rights
  • Advocated for the abolition of slavery and the recognition of women as equal members of society
• Their efforts helped pave the way for the women's suffrage movement
  • Demonstrated the importance of including Black women's perspectives in the struggle for women's voting rights

Race, gender, and class connections

• Black women activists drew attention to the interconnectedness of race, gender, and class in shaping their lived experiences
  • Argued that these factors could not be separated and needed to be addressed collectively
• Their activism foreshadowed key political debates that continue to be central to African American politics today
  • Discussions around intersectionality, the unique challenges faced by Black women, and the need for inclusive social justice movements

Required Sources

"Why Sit Here and Die" by Maria W. Stewart, 1832

Maria W. Stewart's speech "Why Sit Here and Die" represents a groundbreaking moment in African American oratory. As one of the first Black women to speak publicly on political issues, Stewart challenged racial and gender norms, advocating for Black rights and women's empowerment during a time of intense oppression.

Her powerful rhetoric laid the foundation for future Black feminist thought and activism. Stewart's words inspired generations of African Americans to resist injustice and fight for equality, making her speech a crucial text for understanding the roots of Black liberation movements and the intersectionality of race and gender in American history.

Summarized:

• Call to Action:

  • "Come let us plead our cause before the whites": This is a rallying cry for African Americans to actively advocate for their rights.
  • "Do you ask, why are you wretched and miserable?": This rhetorical question introduces the speaker's critique of the limited opportunities available to African Americans.

• Education and Knowledge:

  • "Methinks there are no chains so galling as the chains of ignorance": This metaphor compares lack of education to physical chains, emphasizing how limiting ignorance can be.

• Racial Prejudice:

  • "Let our girls possess what amiable qualities of soul they may...": This quote illustrates the pervasive nature of racial prejudice, showing that even admirable qualities cannot overcome societal barriers.

• Labor and Servitude:

  • "I have learnt, by bitter experience, that continual hard labor deadens the energies of the soul": This describes the psychological and intellectual toll of constant menial labor.

• Gender Issues:

  • "It is upon you that woman depends": The speaker is addressing men, emphasizing their responsibility to support women in their community.

• Colonization:

  • "I observed a piece in the Liberator...": Here, the speaker is directly refuting claims made by colonizationists about African Americans.

• Spiritual and Historical References:

  • "Did the pilgrims, when they first landed on these shores...": This rhetorical question draws a parallel between the struggles of African Americans and early American settlers.

• Hope and Perseverance:

  • "But ah! methinks our oppression is soon to come to an end": Despite the hardships described, this quote expresses hope for future improvement, drawing on religious faith for support.