BHM: Breaking the silence
DELMARVA – Our coverage continues for Black History Month highlighting an African American mogul.
Happy Black History month!
Sojourner Truth born Isabella Baumfree was an abolitionist. Enslaved by the Dutch, Tubman occupies a unique time period in the early republic of America. The mogul didn’t know English until she found someone patient enough to teach her English. Dr. Anton House at Delaware State University shares with us the horrors many black women faced during this time. He explains Black women gave birth to property, whereas white women gave birth to heirs. Before Truth took on this name her son was kidnapped.
A part of Truth’s history, that created a defining moment in her life was the kidnapping of her son. This moment made the transformation of her name, which we now know her as Sojourner Truth. She fought for her son, advocating for his freedom in court even as an enslaved woman.
“This was centered upon trajectory to become Sojourner Truth, the one who speaks truth and to attempt to not only liberate her people but also challenge some of the prevailing ideas of sexism in America,” Dr. House says.
Truth is an important role model because she is the first black woman to win a case against a white man. Dr. House tells us that with the help of the community, change was made and justice was served.
