Sandra Jones
African-American history is replete with
examples of strong women who spoke truth
to power and shattered glass ceilings and
busted through racial walls. Few are as famous as
Sojourner Truth, who absconded from her master
with her infant daughter in tow and later won a court
case that led to her son being freed from slavery. It
was the first time in U.S. history that a black woman
had won a legal challenge against a white man. Truth
would go on to fight the establishment, spending the
remainder of her life batding for the abolishment of
slavery and the establishment of women's rights. In
fact, her most famous speech, "Ain't I a Woman?,"
delivered in 1851 at the Ohio Women's Rights
Convention, is still today one of the most famous
feminist mantras.
Longtime Greensboro, N.C., resident Sandra Jones
has been fascinated by Truth, whom she lovingly
calls "Mother Truth," ever since she first learned
about her nearly three decades ago. Moved by
Truth's sheroism, Jones began piecing together a
music-infused play about her life. Long a work in
progress, "Sojourner Truth, A Legacy," made its
N.C. Black Repertory Company debut last year with
Black Rep Artistic Director Mabel Robinson in the
director's chair.
On stage, Jones, well known in the Triad for her
powerful church-honed pipes, becomes Mother
Truth, effectively relaying Truth's struggles, hopes
and passion for the movement.
The several songs that Jones - and the two musicians who provide accompaniment - performs
provide exclamation points to the powerful, moving dialogue. (Some of the songs were written by
Truth herself.)
One highlight is Jones' deliverance of the entire "Ain't I a Woman?" address, in which Truth cleverly
denounces racism and sexism:
"That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches,
and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud
puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't 1 a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have
ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a
woman?"
Jones is a native of Winterville, N.C. Although she earned a BFA in theater from East Carolina
University, she proudly points out that her theater training began at N.C. A&T State University. Her
many acting credits include starring roles in the Black Rep's "Crowns" and a 1994 co-starring role
alongside the late Dr. Maya Angelou in Langston Hughes' "Tambourines To Glory"
She says Truth's story is still very much relevant
"Mother Truth reminds us of the power that's greater than any man that 'pervades the universe!'
She reminds us 'there is no place where God is not1' Her story is a true inspiration," Jones states on
her website. ?
Double
Billed!
rSojourner Truth,
A Legacy
& WEB Du Bois:
A Man for All Times
Mountcastle
Forum Black
Box at the Milton
Rhodes Center
for the Arts
Fri, Aug. 7 3 p.m.
Fri, Aug. 7 8 p.m.
Sat. Aug. 8 3 p.m.
Sat. Aug. 8 8 p.m.
$41
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