Summary Of A Voice From The South By Anna Julia Cooper

Black feminist, Anna Julia Cooper advocated civil rights, education and equality between man and woman. She believed that with self determination and education anything is possible. Cooper also believed that blacks have the ability to reach their goals. Cooper was born through enslavement but educated society on the harsh reality of a black woman’s struggle. With her book, “A voice from the South by a Black Woman of the South”, Cooper gives insight of her beliefs. Many of which I believe in. With an unpromising beginning Cooper became a scholar and developed as one of the most notable black scholars in history.
Anna Julia Cooper was born August 10, 1858 in Raleigh, North Carolina. When Cooper’s mother, Hannah Haywood, gave birth to her it was

believed that her master, George Washington Haywood, was the father. Although she was born into slavery, Cooper doesn’t recall the experience of slavery but does remember the earlier stages of the feminist movement. At a young age, Cooper had a passion for learning which earned her a scholarship to attend St. Augustine’s Normal School for former slaves in 1867. While at St. Augustine’s, Cooper acquired the equivalent of a High School education then taught at the school for a couple years. While teaching, she married her colleague, George A.G. Cooper in 1877. As a result of marrying her colleague, Cooper was forced to leave her position. Two years later her husband died unexpectedly and she then never remarried. After the death of her husband, Cooper was determined to get a college degree. In 1887, Cooper attended Oberlin College in Ohio and earned a BA and three years later earned a Masters in mathematics. Following her graduation, she resumed to her teaching career and taught math and science at the Prepatory High School for Colored Youth in Washington D.C. Cooper then became principle of the school but later resigned because the school board didn’t approve her curriculum. Afterwards, Cooper worked at Frelinghuysen University and eventually became president from 1930-40. In Washington D.C., Cooper helped form organizations for women, the poor and the young. Cooper also created a division to support young blacks moving from the South into Washington D.C., addressing controversy pertaining to education, housing, and unemployment. Unexpectedly, Cooper died February 27, 1964 in Washington D.C. by a heart attack.
Anna Julia Cooper’s philosophy was established on the ideas of education, civil rights, and the equivalent treatment between both sexes. During her time, women were being degraded and when she turned to feminism, the white women judged her racial struggle, so Cooper developed into Black feminism. Black feminism argues that sexism, social oppression and racism relate to one another through intersectionality.
In her writings, translation to her philosophy can be read in Coopers first and most notable book, A Voice from the South by a Black Woman of the South.

Which was written to demand equal education for women and to emphasize the sexualizing race. The central theme of this book was that women were a crucial element to uplift the black community. I strongly agree with this theme because women make the black community. Women have the power to create a new generation, and with a new generation comes new change. Thus, with an equal education, women can pass on their knowledge to their children which can influence a positive effect on the black community. Cooper also acknowledges how black women are inferior victims to racism and sexism. She argues that black women are unacknowledged by other races, including blacks. In addition, she argues that black women are the one’s that have a true perspective on what oppression really is. As a Latina minority, I also agree with her statement because as women we are always overlooked. Our struggles being a women are never recognized, even within our own community. The men of our community oppress us while they are being oppressed themselves. As minorities we are struggling to survive because we’re at the bottom of society’s hierarchy, but as a woman, we are even more degraded. Cooper also notes the importance of contribution that a black woman can make to correct the oppressive system. I believe in this statement because since women have the true experience of what oppression really is, they know what needs to be done in order to eliminate it. Another important central theme in this book incorporates the emphasis of respect within the contributions of each race. With this theme, I feel that respect among one another is an important factor to civilization because without it, there will always be conflict. I feel that the majority of the population should respect the hard labor that minorities face trying to survive. I believe we

deserve the same amount of respect for those that we work for, and I find it irrational how we are overlooked because of our race. So instead of disgracing one another, we should respect the hustle that we each have and thrive together.
The writings and philosophy of Anna Julia cooper have an immense significance to not only the black community, but mostly the women that make up the community. Not only does Cooper support black women in society, but she can inspire them. Cooper’s passion for education can prove that a woman can achieve anything through literacy. However, not only does Cooper encourage education among women but she acknowledges their struggle. She conveys how many black women are overshadowed by the men of their community and she defends their struggle. Cooper expresses that our society thinks more of black men then they do women and in a social system composed of oppressors, no one is allowed to express themselves. Especially women. However, instead of accepting this, Cooper motivates women to break down those oppressive barriers and to carry a voice.
In conclusion, Anna Julia Cooper was an educator, author and activist that rose from a harsh beginning to educate herself. With her education, she shared her knowledge of sexism, civil rights and literacy to those in her community. Cooper acknowledged the struggles of black women and demanded respect. In addition, Cooper also emphasized the importance of respect among each race. Cooper’s life depicts a passion for social change through hardships such as sexism or racism. While reading A Voice from the South, I found myself not only agreeing with every statement but being influenced by it. Her words opened my eyes on how hard it is to be not only black in society, but also how hard it is to be a black woman. Cooper’s life can not only influence the black community to respect their women, but most importantly she can give every black woman the voice they deserve.