Religion without humanity is very poor human stuff.
Sojourner TruthRead
I am above eighty years old; it is about time for me to be going. I have been forty years a slave and forty years free and would be here forty years more to have equal rights for all.
Interpretation
Sojourner Truth expresses her resolve to continue fighting for equality despite her age and struggles.
In this quote, Sojourner Truth reflects on her long life, emphasizing the importance of perseverance in the fight for equal rights. Having experienced both slavery and freedom, she underscores her commitment to advocacy, saying she would dedicate even more years to ensure justice for all, highlighting the ongoing struggle for equality in society.
In practice
In a speech about social justice, one might cite this quote to inspire others to continue the fight for equal rights.
Religion without humanity is very poor human stuff.
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?
The rich rob the poor and the poor rob one another.
Good man! Genuine gentleman! God bless George Thompson, the great-hearted friend of my race.
And ain't I a woman? I have borne thirteen 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?
Because of them I can now live the dream. I am the seed of the free, and I know it. I intend to bear great fruit.
I don't think nations can stand aside for ethnic cleansing and genocide.
The horrific cases in Ferguson, in Staten Island with the death of Eric Garner, and all across the country serve as stark reminders that we must have a say in who polices us, and how that policing is done. We must, we must, let our voices be heard on Election Day.
This is a great country and requires a good deal of all of us, so I can imagine nothing more important than for all of you to continue to work in public affairs and be interested in them, not only to bring up a family, but also give part of your time to your community, your state, and your country.
My doctrine is this, that if we see cruelty or wrong that we have the power to stop, and do nothing, we make ourselves sharers in the guilt.
One cannot answer for his courage when he has never been in danger.
You may write me down in history with your bitter, twisted lines. You may trod me in the very dirt, but still, like dust, I'll rise.
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