Description
Book SynopsisErnestine L. Rose: To Change a Nation relates the life of Ernestine L. Rose (1810−1892), a fearless human rights activist who fought for racial equality, women’s rights and religious freedom. As America continues to struggle to live up to its democratic principles, Ernestine Rose’s words are more relevant than ever.
Trade ReviewJoyce Lazarus’ intellectual biography of Ernestine Rose stands out with its clarity and brevity in explaining Rose’s beliefs, all of which are relevant to American challenges today. Now, when we celebrate the idea of oppressed people “finding their voices,” Rose is a model of forging a career with her voice, even speaking in public as a woman! Nowadays, when “intersectionality” has become a buzzword, Rose can inspire us with her advocacy for multiple intersecting ideas simultaneously, including the fight against antisemitism. In a day when we explore systemic sources of racism, sexism, class and religious prejudice, Rose who, although an emigrant from a Jewish religious household in Poland, lectured Americans forcefully about the way religion is an impediment to free and rational thought. Rose claimed the right to be “an infidel,” a non-believer who blamed the church for our ignorance. We should express gratitude to Lazarus for bringing Rose back into focus at a time when America is so divided that we seriously question the viability of democratic institutions. Who can step forward and be the Ernestine Rose we need today?
-- Shulamit Reinharz, PhD, Jacob Potofsky Professor of Sociology; Founding Director Brandeis University Women’s Studies Research Center
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments
List of Illustrations
Introduction
Chapter 1: A Polish-Jewish Upbringing
Chapter 2: Breaking up the Time-Hardened Soil
Chapter 3: Confronting Slavery and Racism
Chapter 4: Sowing Seeds and Harvesting Fruit: Women’s Rights
Chapter 5: The World is my Country
Chapter 6: Climbing a Mountain: Freethought and Religious Freedom
Chapter 7: Late Autumn Harvest
Epilogue : “I Have Lived”
Bibliography
Index
About the Author
