New Intro

The wording only changed a little as suggested, but I think it is a bit more clear:

The Narrative of Sojourner Truth is an important 19th-century work that tells the tale of one of the most inspirational and well respected African-American and women's rights activists. Additionally the narrative records important events and movements of that time not only in the state of New York, but all of America. With the end of slavery in New York, Truth begins her life which force her to overcome hardships and obstacles, and experience changes in the United States of America that set the pace for 21st-century social norms and expectations. From the illegal sale of her son, her experience with city growth, the rise of African-American spirituality, and movements such as suffrage, Truth's life provides a record that allows us in the 21st-century to research and discover the rebirth of our nation. The Narrative of Sojourner Truth is a work that shows a changing of the United States and, through her life, is able to give us a timeline to research social movements and changes in the nation.

Suggestions

So my presentation for my research is this Wednesday and to be honest I’m not extremely confident. What I think I’m going to do is reread The Narrative of Sojourner Truth and try to put the bits and pieces of my essay together to form a somewhat tentative draft. I’m kind of nervous that I’m not going to have enough to form a well developed essay. I was going to try to look at the narrative from a historic angel, but fear that it will not be developed enough. Any suggestions are really appreciated.

Emancipation in NY

Emancipation in New York was debated in legistation whether to have a gradual imigration or an immediate disbanding of slavery. It wad finally decided to have a gradual intergration by estabslishing the Assembly of 1785 which stated that any children born to a slave woman after 1785 would be free. However, many different exceptions attactched that kept any amount of power out of African-Americans hands.

http://www.slavenorth.com/nyemancip.htm

Things to Explore

The Narrative of Sojourner Truth was not written by Sojourner Truth and for that reason is not usually studied in a scholarly setting. Some question the vailidity of the narrative. There were multiple editions from 1850 to 1884. The Narrative was not well receieved and was viewed as a blantent, paranoid outlook of a pathetic figure. Race is not directly confronted, but is viewed in an economic, political, legal, and theological way.

Topics for Presentation

Presentation

The Narrative of Sojourner Truth provides a time line of the 19^th Century.

Abolishment of slavery in New York

Legislation passed about illegal sale of slaves

City development of NYC

Women’s suffrage

Rise of Spiritualism

Religion in 19^th Century

Crime in cities

Civil war

After slavery employment opportunities/housing arrangements

Black submission to white supremacy  

Spiritualism

During the 19^th Century America encountered the rise of Spiritualism. This form of religion started off nomadic in nature, with no set churches or ministers. This made tracking the rise of this religion difficult, but due to the newsletter put out by members of the religion, named The Banner of Light, there is information about gatherings and members of the Spiritualism movement.