Devoting her life to racial uplift, Mary Church Terrell exemplified what she called being a “black club woman.” The rise of other black clubwomen occurred as middle class African Americans grew tired of the oppression placed upon them by Jim Crow laws. Through education and activism, these women sought to fight for social reform. In “What Role is the Educated Colored Woman to Play” (1902), Terrell dictates the primary focus of black clubwomen. She states:
“Carefully and conscientiously, we shall study the questions, which affect race most deeply directly… we shall protest with such force of logic and intensity of the soul that those who oppress us will either cease to disavow the inalienability and equality of equality of human rights…”
Through Terrell’s writing, we see characters who embody the values that black clubwomen exemplify. In her story “Betsy’s Borrowed Baby,” Betsy travels via the trains Jim Crow car, and is assaulted by a white man during the trip. After rebutting him, the conductor (who would be seen as an authoritative figure, protective) claims that the man was only joking, stating “Why, you’re a regular Mrs. Jack Johnson,” “He just wanted to see what kind of stuff you were made of” (Terrell, 49) Through this, the conductor not only plays off the man’s remarks but also likens Betsy to the famous boxer Jack Johnson, noted for his interracial relationships and boxing prowess. I found this comparison interesting, as I believe its implications are twofold. On one hand, Betsy’s fending off of her assaulter is alike to the way Jack Johnson fights off his opponents. On the other hand, while Johnson fights for sport, Betsy is fighting for her personal safety and possibly for her life. Also in this comparison, I feel as if the conductor is removing Betsy’s agency in defending herself. Claiming that defending herself is acting like Jack Johnson makes her actions seem less like her own, and more like placing her in the shadow of a man, removing her agency as a black woman.
The writing on transportation made me think of the Freedom Rider attacks in 1961. The attacks came as a result of many things, one of which was the landmark Supreme Court case Plessy V. Ferguson (1896). The Freedom Rides were interracial bus rides through the American south, in the height of racial segregation. The presence of the Ku Klux Klan throughout the south posed as one of the many horrific dangers faced by the riders, as well as non-Klan members who still demonstrated violence against those seeking to challenge segregation.
Freedom Riders beaten by white people in Birmingham.
In the modern day, what Terrell’s work reflected to me was the recent problem posed in Florida regarding the AP African American studies course that was banned from being taught in schools, with the Department of Education citing that the course teaches Critical Race Theory and would introduce students to a political agenda. According to Christopher Tinson, chair of the African American Studies department at SLU, the course includes “nothing particularly ideological about the course except that we value the experiences of African people in the United States.” (https://www.npr.org/2023/01/22/1150259944/florida-rejects-ap-class-african-american-studies) The rejection of this course directly contradicts the goals of Terrell’s black clubwomen, all these decades later. It is clear that while progress has been made in hopes of challenging the oppression of racial segregation, there is still so much left to be challenged. Learning and understanding the history of African Americans in the United States would be essential in the eyes of Terrell and all of black society.
Your observations demonstrate the connections between historical occurrences, literary works, and the ongoing fight for racial equality. We can obtain greater comprehension of the experiences by comprehending and considering these narratives. To me, Terrell’s essay which plays the function of an educator of colored women, stressing the significance of studying and solving issues that have a significant impact on the black community. Because the idea of freedom is a ride which concludes courageous to express crucial periods where people’s thoughts and possibilities are free, your connection to the Freedom Rider attacks in 1961 is also pertinent to Terrell’s tale.
Thank you fro your post. I enjoyed reading it. The part where you say “while Johnson fights for sport, Betsy is fighting for her personal safety and possibly for her life” hits so hard. It’s not a funny joke but an ignorant comparison, even if it can be flattering being compared to a celebrity, I guess.. However, the ignorance of it all devalues the experiences of women, particularly Black women, and undervalues the need to support their well-being. It was an issue in the old days and it is till an issue today.
One thing I noticed here is that when Betsy stood up for herself it aligned with the values of the Black Club Women. It shows an example of racial uplift because she fought against injustice and didn’t stay quite. And when she stood up for herself she stood up for other women as well because as an educated woman Betsy represents her whole community.
Your post got me thinking on loopholes and stuff. About how Jim Crow laws are little but an excuse, an excuse to continue what to some people might have even been considered tradition, but an excuse, nonetheless. These laws open the doors but it’s the people who march through them with horrible thoughts and sharper blades. If those doors remain closed, then people may find a way through, but it will be with the splinters of the law in their hands. But the longer until the laws are made the lockmaker has that much of a harder time, with a keyhole soaked in blood.
Sorry.
Mary Church Terrell highlights her dedication to improving Black life during the period of J m Crow. Through her writings, she exposes the myth of separate bu equal. The sections where blacks were allowed to sit on thwere thenear the White aream king section. This allowed them to pi k their prey. Terrellme toetot allow Betsy to be a victim. She fought back, and the conductor dismissed, but she maintaine her dignity. The whole purpose of Jim Crow was to make blacks feel inferior and reinforce whit superiority. Terrell educates us on the mistreatment by having to wait until all the white passengers at befocan getblacks cou d get a meal. White passengers could pass through the colored section but never the reverse. In addition, she shows the hypocrisy of the Jim Crows laws during Betsy’s return trip to Ohio from t deep south. Betsy decides to be a nurse for this white gir named Helen. She was allowed to sit in the all- hite section. White people admiredSpow ll Betsy spoke,, and no white men tried to harass her sexually. She set at the table with whites because of Hele no one seems to mind. Not did Terrell expose the phoniness of Jim Crow but gave the world a glimpse of its horrors.
I totally agree with you! The fight against oppression seems to never end. The fact that there are still people against the inclusion of African American history says a lot about our current society. It is shocking that still today people are trying to hide the real history and take away its importance.
In addition to the erasing of education, currently black men are still not safe walking outside. They are deemed as suspicious but that stems from deep racism that has been imbedded into America. It comes from the hatred of having to share/ be equal.
I agree with everything in your blog post. How the Jim crow laws are nothing but just a name and a way to control colored people. A great comparison today is about black men right now. They aren’t always safe walking around, either they’ll be pulled over and if they ask why they were pulled over, then the police would instantly get mad and arrest or hurt that man. Compared to white people, where they are just left off with a warning.
Your blog post comprehends the connections between the ongoing struggle for racial equality and the efforts Black women faced. We can better understand the experiences depicted by studying and acknowledging these narratives. The essay by Terrell emphasizes the significance of learning and dealing with issues that profoundly impact the black community. As an educated Black woman, Betsy is challenging the “norm” established for Black women, so when she stands up for herself, she also represents other Black women.
Great job on your post! I enjoy your perspective on the “Betsy’s Borrowed Baby” scene. Another perspective could be that she’s intense. Women were supposed to be dainty well-mannered, and like damsels in distress sometimes, so I took it as a “why are you acting so irrationally?’ kind of thing. I enjoyed that you connected Terrell’s ideas to what’s going on today. It’s unfathomable that this occurred and that it makes sense to people. Learning about black history is not political in the same way that learning about white history (the only history we’re taught) isn’t political.
I agree that the conductor’s response to Betsy being assaulted was not adequate and was removing her agency as a black woman. I’m glad you citied the issues occurring Florida and similar ones happening across the United States, our education system has a history of hiding historical events and enabling by misinformation, like not willing to teach what caused systemic racism and discrimination. Great post!
I agree with your blog post and your analysis of the story “Betsy’s Borrowed Baby” that delves into the comparison made by you between Betsy and Jack Johnson was intriguing. Pointing out the twofold implications of this comparison: Betsy’s act of fending off her assaulter is likened to Johnson’s boxing prowess, highlighting her strength and resilience. But you also highlighted how this comparison can undermine Betsy’s agency by placing her in the shadow of a man and reducing her actions to imitating a male figure.