Twitter Fit

Today I was thinking about Sojourner Truth and her ability to communicate, I mean, really communicate.

I am kind of jealous of her ability to communicate.

In 1851 she gave a speech to the Women's Convention in Akron, Ohio. It wasn't more than five minutes long. It didn't have fancy language. She never had a debate or public speaking class.

BUT in this speech she managed to combine autobiographical information, persuasion, humor, and powerful words to form a unforgettable attack on the social system, promoting BOTH women's and African-American rights.

Talk about a good communicator.

Watch the video clip of Alice Walker delivering the below speech:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsjdLL3MrKk

Sojourner Truth (1797-1883): Ain't I A Woman?
Delivered 1851
Women's Convention, Akron, Ohio

Well, children, where there is so much racket there must be something out of kilter. I think that 'twixt the negroes of the South and the women at the North, all talking about rights, the white men will be in a fix pretty soon. But what's all this here talking about?

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? 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? 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 a woman?

Then they talk about this thing in the head; what's this they call it? [member of audience whispers, "intellect"] That's it, honey. What's that got to do with women's rights or negroes' rights? If my cup won't hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart, wouldn't you be mean not to let me have my little half measure full?

Then that little man in black there, he says women can't have as much rights as men, 'cause Christ wasn't a woman! Where did your Christ come from? Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him.

If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back , and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it, the men better let them.

Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner ain't got nothing more to say. "

(Taken from:http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/sojtruth-woman.html)

I've gotta say, people don't really have that kind of talent, or brevity today. Ask a member of Congress to provide some type of social change and you get a 1,372 page document...ahem, not exactly light reading.

I guess Sojourner was just an average (although enslaved) woman. So how do average women communicate effectively today, in this present day and age? Sure, speeches are used to some degree, but it isn't like they are published across the country for fun reading, like they were in Sojourner's time. They may be on Youtube for a while...but is there any other way?

And so I arrive at Twitter.

(http://www.postsecret.com/)

This website has practically invaded pop culture, as represented in this "Postsecret Post card" above.

This concise form of communication probably isn't exactly up to the same level of Sojourner Truth's Speech. But I argue that it is similar in it's ability to give the common woman (or man, I guess) a voice on... anything!

Sure, it's more typically used for "just chilling with my homies yo!" and "ohmygoodness I just saw a shooting star! *-Make a wish that I'll finally meet Justin Beiber!-*".

But really, Twitter has had an impact on our society. Just like Sojourner Truth's sassy speech.

So, the question is:

What will you tweet about?

www.Twitter.com

(For a fun video about the rising, Twitter sensation that is hitting the nation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZWLMdGqu8g)