Journal entry# 16 Sarah Winnemucca

Siu Faat Jimmy Wong
English 48b
February 1, 2008
Professor Lankford

Quote:

The council-tent is our Congress, and anybody can speak who has anything to say, women and all. They are always interested in what their husbands are doing and thinking about. And they take some part even in the wars.

Summary:

It is a quote about the council-tent. The most interesting part is that the woman could also participate in the meeting.

Response:

In many countries, like China, children and woman are not allowed to go into the council meeting. I think it is probably due to their lower statuses. However, this quote shows me that the Piutes tribe was quite civilized. Women and children were welcome to the council meeting. They could even provide ideas during the meeting. When I was reading this part, I thought about the word “savages” which Sarah Winnemucca used to describe her tribe. From my point of view, her tribe is very enlightened. They should not be described as “savages”. She actually used such an ironic word to express her anger for being suppressed by the whites. Personally, I think that nowadays, there should not be inequality between women and men. (I have to be fair though I am a man). Women and men should possess the same amount of right and responsibility. For example, in my family, both of my parents need to work and take care of my little sister. Long time ago, men had to go to work and gain money for the family and women had to take care of the housework. However, the roles of women and men are getting more similar in this century. Women can work while men can wash dishes. I think this change can definitely benefit the relationship between couples. There will be less argues about who will be in charge of this and who will be in charge of that because both of them have to be responsible of the family.