Comparison of “Ain’t I a Woman?” by

Sojourner Truth

and

“Independent Women” by Destiny’s Child

by Mrs. Warner

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Common Theme

The speech “Ain’t I a Woman?” by Sojourner Truth and the song “Independent Women” by Destiny’s Child both express that women can be just as powerful as men, and deserve the same rights as men.

Example #1“Ain’t I a Woman?”

“Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman?”

• As a slave, Sojourner Truth worked harder and faster than the male slaves.

Example #2“Ain’t I a Woman?”

“Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him.”

• Sojourner Truth shows that God believed women to be strong, even though men of her time doubt her.

Example #3“Independent Women”

“Question: Tell me how you feel about this/Try to control me boy you get dismissed/Pay my own fun, oh and I pay my own bills/Always 50/50 in relationships.”

• This quote shows that the women in Destiny’s Child work hard to support themselves, and they believe men and women should be equal when it comes to making decisions.

Example #4“Independent Women”

“I worked hard and sacrificed to get what I get/Ladies, it ain't easy bein' independent”

• Although being an independent woman is hard work, the women in Destiny’s Child feel that it was worth the sacrifice.

Conclusion

Sojourner Truth’s speech and Destiny’s Child’s song encourage women to stick together and not give up when it comes to women’s rights. Sojourner Truth and the women in Destiny’s Child tell women of their time to be strong and hardworking, despite any obstacles they may face.

Works Cited

African American Literature. Chicago: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc., 1992

Destiny’s Child: Survivor. Columbia Records. Knowles, B., Barnes, S., Olivier, J., Rooney, C.

“Independent Women, Vol. 1.” 2000.Sojourner Truth. Millsaps College,

Jackson MS. home.millsaps.edu/mcelvrs/ Sojourner_Truth.jpg

Survivor. Columbia Records, 2000.