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Lutfur Nahar-assignment 01

Angela Davis introduces the topic of “Class and Race in the Early Women’s Rights Campaign” in chapter through the words from two women activist Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who are the representative of the educated middle class women. As the title mentions, Angela Davis discusses the connections of class and race during the early women’s rights campaign. Her central argument was towards the struggles of Black Liberation and battle for women’s rights. Angela Davis was trying to convince the reader that it was not only about fighting for the abolition of slavery or the rights of women, but it was about everyone fighting for equality whether one was a man, woman, black or white. Moreover, Angela Davis talked about the Seneca Falls Convention, the first women’s rights convention where the idea of the right for women to vote was introduced. The other main concerns of the convention were marriage, and women’s exclusion from the professional workplace. Here Angela Davis is trying to highlight the negative effects of racism and classism upon women.

Furthermore, along with many white women, black women also took part in the Convention. One of those black women was Sojourner Truth, whose powerful “Ain’t I a Woman” speech played a major role in the women’s right movement. Her race, class and economic status did not prevent her from fighting for the women’s rights along with white women. Angela Davis also introduces Charlotte Woodward, who also attended Seneca Falls Convention to seek help in improving her wage. The motive for her being there was to rebel against male supremacy.  Throughout the chapter Angela Davis introduces different women to demonstrate that these are the very women that fought to make sure that women of the future will be treated fairly in the male dominated society.

Even though Angela Davis was mentioned inspiring women who participated in the Convention, many were not allowed to share their perspective. In the process some of them forgot about their fellow colored women and who they were fighting for. In addition, in the chapter Angela Davis conveys the idea that with unity one can accomplish more, rather than doing it by his/her self.