Bila Haki za Wanawake Hakuna Kampeni Kisiasa Kingine
Angela Y. Davis: Without women's rights, there are no other political campaigns
[Scroll down for the English]
KISWAHILI
[Hapo 1830s kwenye Marekani]
“Kati ya wanawake waanzilishi wa vuguvugu la ukomeshaji [dhidi biashara ya watumwa], ni dada wa Grimke kutoka South Carolina—Sarah na Angelina—ambao walihusisha kwa uthabiti suala la utumwa na ukandamizaji wa wanawake. Tangu mwanzo wa kazi yao ya kutoa hotuba yenye misukosuko, walilazimika kutetea haki zao kama wanawake kuwa watetezi wa kampeni ya ukomeshaji….
"Wala Sarah wala Angelina hawakuwa na wasiwasi awalini—angalau wazi—kuhusu kuhoji usawa wa kijamii wa wanawake. Kipaumbele chao kikuu kilikuwa kufichua asili ya kinyama na ya haramu ya mfumo wa utumwa na wajibu maalum ambao wanawake walibeba kwa ajili ya kuendelea kwake. Lakini mara mashambulio ya itikadi kali ya kiume dhidi yao ilipoanzishiliwa, walitambua kwamba isipokuwa wajitetee wenyewe kama wanawake—na haki za wanawake kwa ujumla—wangezuiliwa milele kutoka kwenye kampeni ya kuwakomboa watumwa.”
- Angela Y. Davis, mwanaharakati wa kisiasa, profesa, na mwandishi
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
[In 1830s America]
“Of all the pioneering women abolitionists, it was the Grimke sisters from South Carolina —Sarah and Angelina—who most consistently linked the issue of slavery to the oppression of women. From the beginning of their tumultuous lecturing career, they were compelled to defend their rights as women to be public advocates of abolition….
“Neither Sarah nor Angelina had originally been concerned—at least not expressly—about questioning the social inequality of women. Their main priority had been to expose the inhuman and immoral essence of the slave system and the special responsibility women bore for its perpetuation. But once the male supremacist attacks against them were unleashed, they realized that unless they defended themselves as women—and the rights of women in general—they would be forever barred from the campaign to free the slaves.”
- Angela Y. Davis is a political activist, professor, and author
KISWAHILI: Asante na tutaonana tena,
Mmerikani
ENGLISH TRANSLATION: Thank you and may we see each other again,
Mmerikani
Chanzo (source): Davis, Angela Y. Women, Race & Class. New York: Vintage Books, 1981, page 28-29.
But of course! It is all related. And we have to ensure that all people have the opportunity to rise along with everyone else. Women must understand that they are not powerless in making the changes they want to see in their communities and in their countries. I'm thinking Japan, here, but it's true in any location. Women have an enormous impact on the following generations. Women with rights also have a responsibility to use them to empower others.