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A Voice from the South / By a Black Woman of the South

Chapter 9: TUTTI AD LIBITUM.
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About This Book

The collection of essays and speeches argues that educated women are essential to the moral and social regeneration of their community, insisting on expanded educational opportunities and civic recognition. It examines the status of women in American life, contrasts cultural influences that shape gender roles, and connects gender justice to racial progress. The second section turns to race, assessing America’s racial problems, literary portrayals of Black people, questions of social and economic value, and the sustaining power of belief. Across rhetorical, philosophical, and pragmatic passages, the author advocates for the Black woman’s voice to be heard in national reform.

TUTTI AD LIBITUM.

A People is but the attempt of many
To rise to the completer life of one.

The common Problem, yours, mine, every one’s
Is—not to fancy what were fair in life
Provided it could be,—but, finding first
What may be, then find how to make it fair
Up to our means; a very different thing!
Robert Browning.

The greatest question in the world is how to give every man a man’s share in what goes on in life—we want a freeman’s share, and that is to think and speak and act about what concerns us all, and see whether these fine gentlemen who undertake to govern us are doing the best they can for us.—Felix Holt.