In early 1828, Sojourner Truth approached the Grand Jury of Kingston, New York. She had no experience with the legal system, no money, and no power in the eyes of the court. Ignoring the jury’s scorn, Truth said she was there to fight for custody of her five-year-old son Peter, who’d been illegally sold to an enslaver in Alabama. As the trial played out over the next several months, Truth raised funds, strategized with lawyers, and held her faith. Finally in the spring of 1828, Peter was returned to her care— but Truth’s work was far from over. She would dedicate the rest of her life to pursuing justice and spiritual understanding.
Pada awal 1828, Sojourner Truth menemui Hakim Agung di Kingston, New York. Ia tidak punya pengalaman tentang sistem hukum, tidak punya uang, dan kekuatan di depan hukum. Mengabaikan cemoohan hakim, Truth datang untuk membebaskan putranya Peter yang berusia 5 tahun, yang secara ilegal dijual kepada penjual budak di Alabama. Karena proses pengadilan berjalan hingga beberapa bulan, Truth menggalang dana, menyusun strategi dengan pengacara, dan memegang teguh keyakinannya. Akhirnya pada musim semi 1828, Peter kembali ke pelukannya -- namun tugas Truth belum selesai. Ia akan mendedikasikan sisa hidupnya untuk meraih keadilan dan pemahaman spiritual.
Truth was born into slavery as Isabella Baumfree in the late 18th century in Ulster County, New York. Although New York state had announced the abolition of slavery in 1799, the emancipation act was gradual. Those who were currently enslaved were forced to serve a period of indentured servitude until their mid-20s.
Truth dilahirkan sebagai budak bernama Isabella Baumfree pada akhir abad 18 di Ulster County, New York. Meskipun New York telah menghapus perbudakan pada 1799, gerakan emansipasi masih perlahan. Bagi mereka yang masih menjadi budak dipaksa bekerja selama periode perbudakan kontrak hingga usia 20-an.
Throughout this period, enslavers repeatedly sold Baumfree, tearing her from her loved ones. Often, she was explicitly prevented from pursuing new relationships. Eventually, she married an enslaved man named Thomas, with whom she had three children. She was desperate to keep her new family together— but the slow progress of abolition threatened this hope. Baumfree’s enslaver, John Dumont, had promised to free her by 1826. When he failed to keep his word, Baumfree fled for her safety. During the escape, she was only able to rescue her youngest daughter Sophia, while her other children remained in bondage. It would be two years before she regained custody of Peter. After that, she would wait another two years before she saw any of her other children.
Selama periode ini, penjual budak menjual Baumfree berulang kali, memisahkannya dengan orang tersayang. Sering kali, ia secara terang-terangan dilarang untuk menjalin hubungan baru. Sampai akhirnya, Ia menikah dengan budak bernama Thomas. Mereka memiliki tiga anak. Ia berusaha keras untuk menjaga keluarga barunya tetap bersama -- namun proses abolisi yang lambat mengancam harapannya. Majikan Baumfree, John Dumont, berjanji akan membebaskannya pada 1826. Saat majikannya ingkar janji, Baumfree melarikan diri. Dalam masa pelarian, ia hanya bisa menyelamatkan putri bungsunya Sophia, sedangkan dua anaknya yang lain masih dalam perbudakan.. Hampir dua tahun kemudian ia bisa membebaskan Peter. Setelah itu, ia harus menunggu dua tahun hingga bertemu anaknya yang lain.
During this time, Baumfree found solace in her faith and became increasingly dedicated to religious reflection. After settling in Kingston, New York, she joined a Methodist community that shared her political views. She continued her practice of speaking aloud to God in private, and one night, her evening prayers took on even more sacred significance. Baumfree claimed to hear the voice of God, telling her to leave Kingston, and share her holy message with others. Though she never learned to read or write, Baumfree became known as an electrifying orator, whose speeches drew on Biblical references, spiritual ideals, and her experience of slavery. Her sermons denounced the oppression of African Americans and women in general, and became prominent in campaigns for both abolition and women’s rights. In 1843, she renamed herself Sojourner Truth and embarked on a legendary speaking tour.
Pada masa itu, Baumfree menemukan kedamaian dalam keyakinannya dan semakin religius. Setelah menetap di Kingston, New York, ia bergabung dengan komunitas Metodis yang sepaham dengan pandangan politiknya. Ia terus berdoa secara pribadi, dan satu malam, doa-doa malamnya mulai semakin khusyuk. Baumfree yakin mendengar suara Tuhan, menyuruhnya meninggalkan Kingston, dan menyebar pesan suci kepada yang lain. Walaupun ia tidak pernah belajar membaca atau menulis, Baumfree menjadi terkenal sebagai orator penuh semangat, yang khotbahnya berdasar pada Injil, teladan spiritual, dan pengalamannya sebagai budak. Khotbahnya mencela penindasan terhadap orang Afrika Amerika dan perempuan, dan menonjol dalam kampanye abolisi dan hak perempuan. Pada 1843, ia mengganti namanya menjadi Sojourner Truth dan memulai perjalanan khotbahnya yang legendaris.
Truth saw her journey as a mission from God. Her faith often led her to the nation’s most hostile regions, where she spoke to bigoted audiences as the only Black woman in the crowd. Truth was confident God would protect her, but some crowds responded to her bravery with violence. During one of her sermons, a mob of white men threatened to set fire to the tent where she was speaking. In her memoir, Truth recalled steeling herself to confront them: “Have I not faith enough to go out and quell that mob… I felt as if I had three hearts! And that they were so large, my body could hardly hold them!” She placated the men with song and prayer, until they had no desire to harm her.
Truth memandang perjalanannya sebagai misi dari Tuhan. Keyakinannya sering membawanya ke daerah paling berbahaya, ia berbicara kepada penonton fanatik sebagai satu-satunya wanita kulit hitam. Truth yakin Tuhan akan menjaganya, namun beberapa orang membalas keberaniannya dengan kekerasan. Dalam salah satu khotbahnya, sekelompok warga kulit putih mengancam membakar tenda tempatnya berkhotbah. Dalam memoarnya, Truth ingat bersiap untuk menghadapi mereka: "Tidakkah aku cukup beriman untuk keluar dan menenangkan mereka... aku merasa seakan memiliki tiga hati! Mereka begitu besar, tubuhku tidak bisa menahan mereka!" Ia melerai mereka dengan lagu dan doa, hingga hilang hasrat untuk menyakitinya.
Truth’s speeches impacted thousands of people in communities across the nation, but her activism went far beyond public speaking. During the Civil War, she became involved with the Union Army, recruiting soldiers and organizing supplies for Black troops. Her work was so well regarded that she was invited to meet President Lincoln. She took the occasion to argue that all formerly enslaved people should be granted land by the government.
Khotbah Truth menjangkau ribuan orang dari berbagai komunitas di penjuru negeri, namun kampanyenya tidak berhenti di situ. Selama Perang Sipil, ia begabung dengan Union Army, merekrut tentara dan mengatur bantuan untuk pasukan kulit hitam. Kinerjanya luar biasa hingga diundang untuk bertemu Presiden Lincoln. Ia memanfaatkannya untuk memperjuangkan para mantan budak agar diberi lahan oleh pemerintah.
Truth continued to travel and speak well into her 80s. Until her death in 1883, she remained an outspoken critic who fought for her right to be heard in a hostile world. As Truth once said, “I feel safe even in the midst of my enemies; for the truth is powerful and will prevail."
Truth terus melakukan perjalanan dan berkotbah hingga usia 80-an. Hingga akhir hayatnya pada 1883, ia tetap menjadi kritikus pedas yang berjuang demi haknya agar terdengar di dunia yang keras ini. Truth pernah berseru "Aku merasa aman bahkan di antara musuh-musuhku; karena kebenaran adalah kekuatan dan akan menang."