A movement for unity in which the movement itself isn't really united at all? The contradiction and irony that walks hand in hand with the Women's Rights Movement is overwhelming and unjustifiable. Examples of this can be found across a widespread of documents and statements, however it's presence within the "Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions," is most notable. The entirety of this piece speaks to the truths that women involved in the movement aim to put into perspective and then into law, some of which being: There is no superior gender, women cannot be prevented from occupying a station in society purely based on her gender, and that women are equal to men and thus should be treated with the same behavior and respect as given to men. The contradiction comes into play when these are considered from the perspective of a black woman. Evette Dion, the author of "Women's Suffrage Leaders Left Out Black Women," drew attention to this when she recognized that the Seneca Falls Convention failed to address the racism and Oppression faced by black women. Only a handful of the women within the category were actually being fought for.
      It was not until I read the three articles following the "Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions" that I realized the inconsistency within the document that Angela Davis, Evette Dion, and Soujourner Truth were calling attention to. I have always thought very highly of all involved with the Women's Rights Movement, predominately Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, as those have been taught as the two biggest names. Not to say that my opinions of the two of them and all others involved with the Seneca Falls Convention, however this new perspective that I have been introduced to, that being the views and roles of black women at this time, has showed me how many of them were quite unfair and unfulfilling of what they claimed to be working for. The women's rights movement ignored the struggles of women of color and focused instead of the progression of white women only, something I find to be rather selfish. The rights of black women were said to be unimportant due to the fact that a recognition of them would cause a loss of support from women and men of the south, however I believe that this was simply a justification, and that the real reason for it can be put bluntly: Many white women were racist. They claimed to be battling of the equal rights of women, but they didn't include all women in their fight. "Women" was the test, but not all women qualified (Davis 3). Strength in numbers was pushed aside in this triumph for women's rights, all because of a difference in skin color. I believe that if true unity had been established, that of which included ALL women, these truths that they found to be "Self-evident" could have been achieved much sooner.
-natalie gwynn

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