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Assignment #1

In Chapter 3 of “Woman, Race, & Class”, Angela Davis touches upon Class and Race in the Early Women’s Rights Campaign. At one point, she clearly expresses how the North (though known to be the anti-slavery side of the civil war) was not guilt free, for it too was immersed with racism and danger for the black population. She describes the unrecognized hateful attitude of the north, by noting the hardships anti-slavery and women’s rights leaders Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott and Susan B. Anthony had during their travels spreading words of emancipation in upstate New York. At their meetings and speeches, they were met with riots and groups of men that expressed a violent pro-slavery stance. Davis goes on to tell how once the northern draft was implemented, these same rioters became inflamed. They brought on violence, opposition and even murder to free black men and women with at least 1,000 people killed and wounded. (pg 72) I find this information really interesting and surprising. While learning of the civil war and anit-slavery movement in high school, it was always noted that the northerners were the “good guys” and held a safe haven for black men and women. I now see how the north may have not been the sparkling safe land it was always noted to be; and that there is far more to this storyline that has yet to be exposed and taught to many young students. I believe that here Angela Davis is trying to justly inform the public of the real dark history of issues regarding race, gender, and class in America; that what many of us have grown up knowing about the anti- slavery movement does not necessarily depict the whole truth. I think she wants to give justice to those that have struggled through the oppression, who have lost their lives through the violence, and who have fought for their voices to be heard by correcting historical thought.