July 19, 1848
Dear Diary,
Today was the first day of The Seneca Falls convention. I am staying with my close friend Mary Gilbert who has a house here with her family. She is as well as I, attending the convention. I have not yet spoken yet but I wish to tomorrow. I really would like to be an influence on future America. I would not like to see America stay the way it is today. Men should not be superior, we should be equal. No matter what color or gender you are. It seems that every second of the day, we are making progress to a better, equal country. I couldn't help but look over at Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Stanton watching the speakers all day. It made me blush just thinking about my childish behavior. I looked at them as if they were the president of America. Oh, I can't wait until I get to tell what I have to say to all three-hundred people. It would be such a great honor to speak in front of them .
Today, we had exquisite speakers. I started to tear up a bit at a few of the people's stories. They were filled with sorrow, misery and hope. The one that really stood out to me was Sojourner Truth. Her words were very powerful and made the hairs on the back of my neck stand straight up. She had gone through so much, more than I have ever and probably will never. I can't imagine the mental damage slavery scars you . She was so brave, speaking about her horrid life. Ain't I a woman... That sentence rings through my ears like a bell. Ain't I a woman... She saw her children get sold to slavery and the torture that was produced towards the slaves. She was so brave, way braver than half the men that think they are more important than us. It doesn't make sense to me that people would think of such crazy thoughts. I ask myself this everyday... Why is it that men are the ones that are grander than us? Since I grew up with two brothers, one older, one younger, I felt the segregation that simmered in our house. The "men" of our family went to school and were my father's favorites. Then my mother and I were left to clean up after them and we had to be used to the rude remarks that came out of my dad and brothers' mouths. It was like they were the kings of the house. It doesn't seem right. I'm sure that my mother would have been in Seneca falls right now, as I am. Where ever she is right now, I bet she is proud of my doings. I am happy to make a difference in the woman and slave race.
This morning I woke up at around six and went down to the town where the convention was held. I saw men and women chanting something that I still can't quite seem to make out, probably because my ears are hard of hearing. They were all parading through the streets and holding petition signs and American flags. I walked to the street of nicely dressed men and women. One of the men came up to me and handed to me a flag. I raised my arm up in the windy sky as I walked. The flag flapped in the wind ever so much. It made me proud to be a woman and proud to be a U.S. citizen. I glanced around at the children and adults crowding the sidewalk, watching all of the attendees of the Seneca Falls Convention.
For the first time in my life, I feel like I am actually worth something. I am not a grain of sand on the beach anymore...I'm part of the powerful ocean. People can look up to me and treat me equal. I already feel the respect that is coming upon the female and African American race. Men are actually realizing that we are people too. We are not worthless and we can do things they do and more. I just can't wait until we finish the Declaration of Sentiments and send it to the legislators. Already, the declaration states how we have no voice in the election and government. As well as being denied education and jobs. Oh, just thinking about this milestone in history is making me shiver with excitement rushing through my body.
I guess I should probably get to bed. The sooner I sleep, the quicker tomorrow will come which means the closer we will get to freedom. I will let you know what happens tomorrow. Wish me luck on my speech, I need it. Good night.
-Lucy Jones
Today was the first day of The Seneca Falls convention. I am staying with my close friend Mary Gilbert who has a house here with her family. She is as well as I, attending the convention. I have not yet spoken yet but I wish to tomorrow. I really would like to be an influence on future America. I would not like to see America stay the way it is today. Men should not be superior, we should be equal. No matter what color or gender you are. It seems that every second of the day, we are making progress to a better, equal country. I couldn't help but look over at Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Stanton watching the speakers all day. It made me blush just thinking about my childish behavior. I looked at them as if they were the president of America. Oh, I can't wait until I get to tell what I have to say to all three-hundred people. It would be such a great honor to speak in front of them .
Today, we had exquisite speakers. I started to tear up a bit at a few of the people's stories. They were filled with sorrow, misery and hope. The one that really stood out to me was Sojourner Truth. Her words were very powerful and made the hairs on the back of my neck stand straight up. She had gone through so much, more than I have ever and probably will never. I can't imagine the mental damage slavery scars you . She was so brave, speaking about her horrid life. Ain't I a woman... That sentence rings through my ears like a bell. Ain't I a woman... She saw her children get sold to slavery and the torture that was produced towards the slaves. She was so brave, way braver than half the men that think they are more important than us. It doesn't make sense to me that people would think of such crazy thoughts. I ask myself this everyday... Why is it that men are the ones that are grander than us? Since I grew up with two brothers, one older, one younger, I felt the segregation that simmered in our house. The "men" of our family went to school and were my father's favorites. Then my mother and I were left to clean up after them and we had to be used to the rude remarks that came out of my dad and brothers' mouths. It was like they were the kings of the house. It doesn't seem right. I'm sure that my mother would have been in Seneca falls right now, as I am. Where ever she is right now, I bet she is proud of my doings. I am happy to make a difference in the woman and slave race.
This morning I woke up at around six and went down to the town where the convention was held. I saw men and women chanting something that I still can't quite seem to make out, probably because my ears are hard of hearing. They were all parading through the streets and holding petition signs and American flags. I walked to the street of nicely dressed men and women. One of the men came up to me and handed to me a flag. I raised my arm up in the windy sky as I walked. The flag flapped in the wind ever so much. It made me proud to be a woman and proud to be a U.S. citizen. I glanced around at the children and adults crowding the sidewalk, watching all of the attendees of the Seneca Falls Convention.
For the first time in my life, I feel like I am actually worth something. I am not a grain of sand on the beach anymore...I'm part of the powerful ocean. People can look up to me and treat me equal. I already feel the respect that is coming upon the female and African American race. Men are actually realizing that we are people too. We are not worthless and we can do things they do and more. I just can't wait until we finish the Declaration of Sentiments and send it to the legislators. Already, the declaration states how we have no voice in the election and government. As well as being denied education and jobs. Oh, just thinking about this milestone in history is making me shiver with excitement rushing through my body.
I guess I should probably get to bed. The sooner I sleep, the quicker tomorrow will come which means the closer we will get to freedom. I will let you know what happens tomorrow. Wish me luck on my speech, I need it. Good night.
-Lucy Jones
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