Shirley Chisholm, Equal Rights for Women (May 21, 1969)
Shirley Chisholm was the first African American woman to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. She represented her New York City district in Congress from 1969 until her retirement in 1982. She gained national fame in 1972 as the first African American to run for president when she campaigned for the Democratic nomination. In the speech reproduced below Chisholm calls for a constitutional amendment to guarantee equal rights for women.
HON. SHIRLEY CHISHOLM of New York
In the House of Representatives, May 21, 1969
Mr. Speaker, when a young woman graduates from college and starts looking for a job, she is likely to have a frustrating and even demeaning experience ahead of her. If she walks into an office for an interview, the first question she will be asked is,
"Do you type?''
There is a calculated system of prejudice that lies unspoken behind that question. Why is it acceptable for women to be secretaries, librarians, and teachers, but totally unacceptable for them to be managers, administrators, doctors, lawyers, and Members of Congress.
The unspoken assumption is that women are different. They do not have executive ability orderly minds, stability, leadership skills, and they are too emotional.
It has been observed before, that society for a long time, discriminated against another minority, the blacks, on the same basis - that they were different and inferior. The happy little homemaker and the contented "old darkey" on the plantation were both produced by prejudice.
As a black person, I am no stranger to race prejudice. But the truth is that in the political world I have been far oftener discriminated against because I am a woman than because I am black.
Prejudice against blacks is becoming unacceptable although it will take years to eliminate it. But it is doomed because, slowly, white America is beginning to admit that it exists. Prejudice against women is still acceptable. There is very little understanding yet of the immorality involved in double pay scales and the classification of most of the better jobs as "for men only."
More than half of the population of the United States is female. But women occupy only 2 percent of the managerial positions. They have not even reached the level of tokenism yet No women sit on the AFL-CIO council or Supreme Court There have been only two women who have held Cabinet rank, and at present there are none. Only two women now hold ambassadorial rank in the diplomatic corps. In Congress, we are down to one Senator and 10 Representatives.
Considering that there are about 3 1/2 million more women in the United States than men, this situation is outrageous.
It is true that part of the problem has been that women have not been aggressive in demanding their rights. This was also true of the black population for many years. They submitted to oppression and even cooperated with it. Women have done the same thing. But now there is an awareness of this situation particularly among the younger segment of the population.
As in the field of equal rights for blacks, Spanish-Americans, the Indians, and other groups, laws will not change such deep-seated problems overnight But they can be used to provide protection for those who are most abused, and to begin the process of evolutionary change by compelling the insensitive majority to reexamine it's unconscious attitudes.
It is for this reason that I wish to introduce today a proposal that has been before every Congress for the last 40 years and that sooner or later must become part of the basic law of the land -- the equal rights amendment.
Let me note and try to refute two of the commonest arguments that are offered against this amendment. One is that women are already protected under the law and do not need legislation. Existing laws are not adequate to secure equal rights for women. Sufficient proof of this is the concentration of women in lower paying, menial, unrewarding jobs and their incredible scarcity in the upper level jobs. If women are already equal, why is it such an event whenever one happens to be elected to Congress?
It is obvious that discrimination exists. Women do not have the opportunities that men do. And women that do not conform to the system, who try to break with the accepted patterns, are stigmatized as ''odd'' and "unfeminine." The fact is that a woman who aspires to be chairman of the board, or a Member of the House, does so for exactly the same reasons as any man. Basically, these are that she thinks she can do the job and she wants to try.
A second argument often heard against the equal rights amendment is that is would eliminate legislation that many States and the Federal Government have enacted giving special protection to women and that it would throw the marriage and divorce laws into chaos.
As for the marriage laws, they are due for a sweeping reform, and an excellent beginning would be to wipe the existing ones off the books. Regarding special protection for working women, I cannot understand why it should be needed. Women need no protection that men do not need. What we need are laws to protect working people, to guarantee them fair pay, safe working conditions, protection against sickness and layoffs, and provision for dignified, comfortable retirement. Men and women need these things equally. That one sex needs protection more than the other is a male supremacist myth as ridiculous and unworthy of respect as the white supremacist myths that society is trying to cure itself of at this time.
Document Analysis
What persuasive tools does Rep. Chisholm use to convey her message? Is the message effective to you as a reader? Why or why not?
Given the racial and gender situations in America in 1969, can Chisholm be considered a trailblazer for African Americans and women? Why or why not?
How does Chisholm compare the situation of women in the United States with that of other minority groups?
1. Chisholm, throughout her speech, related her plight with that of the blacks, or the Spanish Americans, or any other race seeking equal rights within the United States. With this she can reach audiences that may have turned away from her message otherwise, listeners who couldnt grasp the womans fight for equality. Chisholm is also effective in generating a feeling of reproach towards the conformist, patriarchal views of the time. The discriminatory white man is demonized, and we, the idealists, are fighters for liberty. I think this tactic is incredibly effective and takes advantage of the air of unrest that settled over the US about that time. 2. Chisholm is definitely a trailblazer. As an African American and a woman, what she was doing at the time was unprecedented. For this she should be considered a trailblazer. 3. In the speech, the social situation of women is compared to that of minorities, who were discriminated against on the same basis that they were different and inferior. Like the activists for civil rights, Chisholm says women must be aggressive; she feels part of the problem is that women have not been aggressive in demanding their rights.
What persuasive tools does Rep. Chisholm use to convey her message? Is the message effective to you as a reader? Why or why not?
First she identifies herself with women and blacks who, like other minorities or those without much power, have been fighting for equal rights for a long time.Second she states facts instead of solely focusing on her opinion and views so as to show what is really going on, whats really happening, and what she is basing her whole speech on, solid facts. Lastly she destroys, like an H-bomb, or counters two opposing arguments to her stance immediately, discrediting them and rendering them useless for further discussion against her main point.I believe the message is effective because it caught my attention and held it till the end for it was well written and did not stray or wander off into useless points or topics.
Given the racial and gender situations in America in 1969, can Chisholm be considered a trailblazer for African Americans and women? Why or why not?
Yes she can for she was the first African American woman to be elected to the U.S. House of Reps and many programs that fought for womans rights were just begun in the 1960s and did not take off until the 1970s.However I do not think she could be considered so much a trailblazer for African Americans as they have been going at it long before the women and already have people like Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
How does Chisholm compare the situation of women in the United States with that of other minority groups?
She relates them by stating that they are all being discriminated against by the male-dominated society of America and that laws protecting either are not adequate for proper social justice and equality,but they are a start.
What persuasive tools does Rep. Chisholm use to convey her message? Is the message effective to you as a reader? Why or why not? Rep. Chisholm brings up the struggles of the black civil rights movement as a direct parallel of the situation that women are faced. She says But the truth is that in the political world I have been far oftener discriminated against because I am a woman than because I am black. and also Prejudice against blacks is becoming unacceptable [however] Prejudice against women is still acceptable. There is very little understanding yet of the immorality involved demonstrating that segregation and racism, two social injustices have been overcome and after hundreds of years have been recognized as evil and immoral. However, women in almost the same position are still being held back by social and political injustices and that those injustices should also be recognized also as immoral. This really hits me as a reader because from her perspective you can really get a sense of the social condition that women faced from looking at another similar event in history that is known so well.
Given the racial and gender situations in America in 1969, can Chisholm be considered a trailblazer for African Americans and women? Why or why not? From what I have seen in this document I can not say that she is a huge pioneer for African- Americans as she states Prejudice against blacks is becoming unacceptable although it will take years to eliminate it. But it is doomed because, slowly, white America is beginning to admit that it exists. and But the truth is that in the political world I have been far oftener discriminated against because I am a woman than because I am black. which doesnt seem to be advocating for the African-American civil rights movement, but only seems to reference it to show an example of an injustice that has been addressed, recognized, and is now increasingly seeing progress in its endeavors much like the equal rights of women should be seeing. For this I must say that she advocates for women far more for women than African- Americans, and really doesnt advocate for the black civil rights movement at all.
How does Chisholm compare the situation of women in the United States with that of other minority groups?
Like I mentioned above she describes the situation of women in America as a sort of parallel with that of the African- Americans, during the 1960s Civil Rights movement especially. She calls for social and political reform in addressing these problems but recognizes that it will not all be done at once as she says As in the field of equal rights for blacks, Spanish-Americans, the Indians, and other groups, laws will not change such deep-seated problems overnight But they can be used to provide protection for those who are most abused, which is almost exactly what she is calling for women during this time as well.
1. What persuasive tools does Rep. Chisholm use to convey her message? Is the message effective to you as a reader? Why or why not?
Chisholm starts off with an example of what women face when trying to get a job. She notes the setbacks that women have to face including lower wages then men and less of a job choice then men. She continues to say that she faces more prejudice as a woman than she does for being black. She points out that at the time there are over 3 1/2 million more women living in America than men but only 2% hold managerial positions. There has yet to be a woman to sit on the AFL and CIO councils or the Supreme Court. Only 2 women have held Cabinet positions, only two women have held ambassadorial ranks, and in Congress there are only 10 female representatives and one Senator.
2. Given the racial and gender situations in America in 1969, can Chisholm be considered a trailblazer for African Americans and women? Why or why not?
Chisholm was indeed a trailblazer for both African Americans and women during this time period. She defended both minorities and made their issues of utmost importance be dealt with. Chisholm was the first African American to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and the first African American to run for president. Many people were inspired by her actions and looked up to her.
3. How does Chisholm compare the situation of women in the United States with that of other minority groups?
She says that like the backs, Spanish Americans, and the Indians, the laws wont be changed overnight if they are passed. But in the case that a minority is discriminated against, the laws can be used to back them up and slowly, these laws will change the ways of society.
What persuasive tools does Rep. Chisholm use to convey her message? Is the message effective to you as a reader? Why or why not?
Rep. Chisholm says that she is an African American and also a woman. She also writes as if she can relate to the reader. Also using statistics supports her message such as Considering that there are about 3 1/2 million more women in the United States than men, this situation is outrageous. Also But women occupy only 2 percent of the managerial positions. She opened my eyes to things I didnt know existed, I had no idea. I feel as if I have been living in a shell that she broke, to expose me to the truth. The way she writes is affective to the reader because it makes you understand, its simple to the point, and truthful.
Given the racial and gender situations in America in 1969, can Chisholm be considered a trailblazer for African Americans and women? Why or why not?
Yes, I think that Chisholm can be considered a trailblazer for African Americans and women. She speaks out and educated many people on things that were wrong with corporate America. She is also a remodel because she ran for president that was a gutsy move. I think she saw a problem with America and is trying to change it one step at a time.
How does Chisholm compare the situation of women in the United States with that of other minority groups?
Chisholm states that both groups are discriminated against. Although the oppressors are noticing the inequalities and restrictions set on African Americans are not proper. Women are still being oppressed both black and white, and it is not changing and it is not ethical or morally correct.
She uses a comparison to the racism against black Americans and how women are being discriminated against as once they were, but it is still acceptable to discriminate against women.Also she quotes facts and figures to support her argument that women occupy less high-ranking jobs than men do.These are arguments that I would support as a reader, she seems educated and seems to know what she is talking about in intimate detail.
Yes she can be considered a trailblazer for both African Americans and women.She is a member of the House of Representatives for New York at a time that racism is just being abolished and discrimination against women is completely rampant in the country.
She compares the state of women in society to that of African Americans of generations earlier and of now.She talks of how they were discriminated against and how now because it is becoming unacceptable they are being less discriminated against.However, women are still being discriminated against acceptably because there is yet no legislation against it.
What persuasive tools does Rep. Chisholm use to convey her message?Is the message effective to you as a reader?Why or why not?
Chisholm uses her first hand experience as a persuasive tool.She discusses the prejudice that she has faced both as a black person and as a woman and informs the audience that she has faced greater discrimination as a woman than as a black person.As another persuasive tool she uses numbers to show that women outnumber men in the United States but only a 2 percent are in managerial positions, here she is showing a great disparity.A third tool that she uses is a general comparison of women to blacks, Spanish Americans and Indians to emphasize the discrimination that women face and the need for laws to protect them from the discrimination just as the other groups where laws were needed to at least cause the insensitive majority to reexamine its unconscious attitudes. As a reader, I thought that the message was very effective she urged change by pointing out what was wrong and by relaying her personal experience, she was more convincing.
Given the racial and gender situations in America in 1969, can Chisholm be considered a trailblazer for African American and women?Why or why not?
I believe that she could be considered a trailblazer for both African Americans and women but I believe that she was more of a trailblazer for women.As the first African American woman to be elected to Congress, this made her an inspiration and a role model for many African Americans and for many women.During her first year in Congress, she hired a full female staff demonstrating her belief in equality for women in the workplace.Another major factor that demonstrates her as a leader for Womans rights is that she was one of the founders of the first chapter of the National Organization for Women a group formed to promote equal opportunity for women.
How does Chisholm compare the situation of women in the United States with that of other minority groups?
She compares the situation of women to other minorities groups that have been discriminated against and who men see as inferior and different.She makes her comparisons mainly between women and black people.She draws similarities between the prejudice faced by blacks and women but although the prejudice against blacks still exist it is changing because it is no longer acceptable.She states that the prejudice against women is still acceptable and there is little understanding on the issue.
What persuasive tools does Rep. Chisholm use to convey her message? Is the message effective to you as a reader? Why or why not?
The persuasive tools that she uses to convey her message are the real life examples she has faced, while being an African American woman. She gives the example of the question of typing as her opening. She also uses facts such as how women outnumber men in the country. Yes, this was effective to me as a reader, because it allowed me to put myself in her position, and imagine the injustices that were probably committed against her.
Given the racial and gender situations in America in 1969, can Chisholm be considered a trailblazer for African Americans and women? Why or why not? Yes, she can be considered a trailblazer for African Americans and women. She stands up not only for the rights of African Americans but also wants to make ut known that she suffers more prejudice for being a woman, rather than being African Americans. She founded the National Organization for women, which was a totally new organization to everyone. This made her seen as someone who wanted to break down boundaries and start new ones.
How does Chisholm compare the situation of women in the United States with that of other minority groups? She compares the situation of women in the US with that of other minority groups because they are all being discriminated against by men of a certain race. The country is basically dominated by men at the time who feel that they are inferior to all groups of people.
1. What persuasive tools does Rep. Chisholm use to convey her message? Is the message effective to you as a reader? Why or why not?
- Representative Chisholm made a direct comparison between the struggles both women and African Americans have faced trying to receive equal treatment and civil liberties. In order to convey this message she uses her personal life experience being both a woman and being African American. To support her life experiences and their relevance she uses facts and figures. Her message was effective and the way that she was able to explain it made it especially persuasive.
2. Given the racial and gender situations in America in 1969, can Chisholm be considered a trailblazer for African Americans and women? Why or why not?
- I think she was a trailblazer. She was the first African American woman elected into Congress, and she paved the way for many other women and African Americans to be elected into Congress.
3. How does Chisholm compare the situation of women in the United States with that of other minority groups?
-Representative Chisholm draws direct connections between the struggles women have faced to achieve equality, and the struggles minorities in the United States in general have faced. She especially mentions that eventually there are laws put in place to encourage equality but that there arent any laws explicitly against discrimination.
