“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? … I have plowed, and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me — and ain’t I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man (when I could get it), and bear the lash as well — 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 woman?”
- Sojourner Truth
To be a black woman in America in the 18th century meant being thrice disadvantaged: black, woman, slave. Still, Sojourner Truth was able to say these words and achieve a lot more throughout her life. Read more about her remarkable journey here.
Tololy, I wonder what Sojourner would think of today’s America.<br /><br />Back in Canada, my Computer Networking Instructor was Jamaican (and black). He always complained how the American police harassed him whenever he travelled to the US (particularily in the south), and that while the Canadian police where somewhat better, they still harassed him too.<br /><br />I was in his class when the planes hit the towers, and when it was suggested a group of Arabs did it. I said to him Nels, now we’re going to know what it is like being black in America.<br /><br />So now, Arab Women in America are already more disadvantaged than a black woman in today’s America. (although certainly not as disadvantaged as Sojourner was back then).<br />
Lovely anecdote about the horrors of racism in Canada and the US, Hani, but I don’t think that was Tololy’s point. I could be wrong. If that was you point, Tololy, just let me know and I’ll engage Hani on her claims.
So now, Arab Women in America are already more disadvantaged than a black woman in today’s America<br /><br /></span></span><span class="commentBody"><span id="comment-39371">This is too much self-pity to ignore. There are very few groups who do better than Arabs in the US. For you to suggest Arabs are more "disadvantaged" than blacks is offensive. That may be true in France (I don’t know, but I’ve herad Arabs don’t do well and live in slums, in France) but it’s NOT true in the US, and it’s irresponsible for you to suggest that it is.</span></span><span class="commentBody" style="font-style: italic;"><span id="comment-39371"><br /></span></span>
أين ذهبت حنين وكل الاردنين العنصريين و العنصريات ؟؟؟،لسوء الحظ يا تولي ،نحن لا نفقه شئ عن تاريخ هذا الشعب الذي عانا الائمرين وجرجرا وهو مكبل بلجنازير الالف الكيلومترات لخدمه الرجل الابيض
So now, Arab Women in America are already more disadvantaged than a black woman in today’s America</span></span><br /><br />Though oddly enough Arab women in America can choose to wear the hijab or not — one luxury (among many others) they aren’t afforded in other parts of the world.<br /><br />Also, I’d hazard a guess that statistics might show that women of Arab descent in the United States probably have a much better expectation of high living standards and social achievement than African American women.
Craig, I only wanted to draw attention to Truth’s life and wisdom, especially in the words I quoted. I am in love with that quote.
تولي،،،فقط لتنيه،كريك اكبر عنصري واكبر صهيوني فاشي،يكره العرب علي المسبحه
Alurdunialhurr, I think if you are going to call someone racist, zionist, fascist and Arab-hater you should write it in their own language so they can respond to your accusations.
Thanks for letting me know, Tololy. I won’t respond to that crap, but he has a very easy name to remember. I see the only "Iraq" blog he has bookmarked is Layla Anwar, which tells me all I need to know about his mentality. So, I’ll curse at him somewhere else when I get the chance :)<br /><span class="commentTitle" />
With all due respect Tololy,,I have the right to write in any language I chose ,and by the way,Laila Anwar is an awesome blogger check her out..</p>
<p> For clarification ,,i did not curse at you ,I descibed you as an arab hater , basher and Zionist Is’nt that true Graig?</p>
You think you show Tololy respect by making racist attacks on her readers?<br /><br />lol.<br /><br />Laila Anwar is a supporter of terrorism. And she isn’t even ashamed of it - she is proud of it. If that’s "awesome" in your opinion, then more power to you. You’re just the kind of Arab I actually *do* hate. I hope you do reap what you sow in the end.<br />
Alurdunialhurr, I just remembered where I’ve seen your name. You’re one of the Jordanians who pisses all over the Americans over on Natasha’s blog all the time. I’ve had a few exchanges over theer with you myself a year or two ago. You’re a good one to be accusing people of bigotry.</font></span>