What argument(s) does the author make in the introduction about the role of Black women in the American struggle for voting rights? How does the book “retell” and “correct the record” of American history and the history of women? What does the author mean when she uses the term “vanguard” to describe Black? Women? Also, describe how the author’s own family history inspired and informed her work on this book

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What argument(s) does the author make in the introduction about the role of Black women in the American struggle for voting rights? How does the book “retell” and “correct the record” of American history and the history of women? What does the author mean when she uses the term “vanguard” to describe Black? Women? Also, describe how the author’s own family history inspired and informed her work on this book.

In Vanguard, Martha S. Jones presents a new history of African American women's political lives in the United States, which she has authored. When it came to voting, they rejected both racism and sexism, and they used their political power to ensure that all people were treated with respect and decency. In a chapter titled "Amendment," historian Martha S. Jones discusses the 19th Amendment. The title is simple and straightforward. This was a turning point for African American women in terms of their democratic rights. They could now enjoy the right to participate in voting. Even though the 19th Amendment was never ratified. Jim Crow rendered voting in the South as difficult, dangerous, and impossible for Black women. Voting had been assumed to be a thing for Black males for a long time. The events of 1920 were not a spectacular conclusion, but rather a turning point; the task was far from done. When it came to voting rights in America, "Black women were the new keepers," as Jones puts it. Black women were now part of the democratic nation.

In the early women’s movement of the 1800s, in what ways did Black women and white middle-class women chart different paths to gaining political rights? What were the differences between white women’s activism and Black women’s activism, and why did those differences exist? How did these differences manifest during the fight for the 19th Amendment in the early 1900s?

Slavery was abolished in the Northern states after American independence. The transition from slavery was not an immediate action as it paced up gradually across the states. In 1783, the meaning of freedom and the position of free African Americans were not established. African American could still be seen struggling to attain the privilege the white Americas enjoyed as citizens. African American men and women fought against colonization, voting restrictions, and a lack of political participation. Ideally, the men were first to enjoy these rights before their fellow African American women. Black American women channeled their voices through organizations as they sought one channel of voicing out their plight. The "colored" convention movement, churches, and journals like Freedom's Journal were used by black activists to fight back. Most organizations would later neglect the approaches from the African Americans due to the nature of their colors. African American women went ahead and formed clubs and organizations that specifically focused on the issues facing them.

3.Describe the role of Black women in the post-WWII Civil Rights Movement and movement for voting rights. In what ways does the author argue that Black women were the “vanguard” during this period?

Martha S. Jones' new novel, Vanguard, is a sweeping narrative for our times and details the journey of black women to democracy. Founded in the multi-generational battle of black women for a freedom and equality in the democratic world. The battles and civic fights would not only fulfill their rights but also spark a bigger, redemptive movement for human rights everywhere across the globe. Through the experiences of renowned and obscure African American women, Jones demonstrates how this foundation of our society. Not only is it crucial to winning elections today but also gave us 'the nation's founding feminists and antiracists.' Over the generation since the uprise of women fighting for their rights, jones states that it has continued to be rooted and women now than ever are standing up for their rights. Women of all races can contribute and play part in deciding the leaders they want. There has been emergence of African American women who have rose against all odds to challenge for further roles of women in leadership positions. After much battle with suffrage of black women, Jones stated that they finally were able to hold political positions although some states made laws that biased the freedom of black women. Regardless, renowned African women have put great hope in the next generation of women as Jones demonstrates.

4. How have Black women claimed their places in American politics after the passage of the Voting Rights Act, up to the present day? Describe how the story of the “Vanguard” is still relevant in our politics today.

Some states had passed some laws that limited the freedom of back women after they were first allowed to vote. The 15th Amendment prohibits states from limiting voting rights on the basis of race or ethnicity, as the 19th Amendment does today. Despite this, many American women do not have the unrestricted right to cast their ballots yet. Voting access for females is governed by where they reside. Most black Americans settled unruly residences hence could be limited to democratic activities by the government. That typically coincides with their race and ethnicity making the, a target. This is because of the United States' long history of housing discrimination. Further, resurgent voter ID laws, polling place closures, and purges of voter rolls in some states. In 2013 the supreme court made a ruling on the voting rights act to enable equality to African Americans. The ruling overturned sections of the 1965 Voting Rights Act that are depriving both men and women of color of the right to vote or hold political positions.

 

5 Describe your own reaction to this book. What have you learned about history (the history of women, African American history, broader American history, etc.) that you didn’t know before? Would you recommend that I incorporate this book into future history courses? Why or why not?

Martha S. Jones' new novel, Vanguard, is a sweeping narrative for our times, founded in the multi-generational battle of black women for a freedom and equality that would not only fulfill their rights but also spark a bigger, redemptive movement for human rights everywhere. Through the experiences of renowned and obscure African American women, Jones demonstrates how this foundation of our society is so crucial to winning elections today. It also gave us 'the nation's founding feminists and antiracists’ as well as women leaders. Women of color have been portrayed as activist who went beyond expectations to fight for equal voting rights with men in American history. American voting policies have been evolving since the inception of black women movements to gain more rights on democratic poles. America has seen the emergence of enthusiastic women leaders who have conquered the men’s world. In 1965 women were fully allowed to enjoy all the voting rights they have today in America despite some states making more laws to limit the black woman’s activity in voting. This book is a perfect foundation to understanding the American history in event of allowing women right to voting. I would recommend this book for future history lessons as it hold more knowledge and information about the American history that not all sources’ documents.