A Rewrite of “A Declaration of Sentiments”

A Modern Declaration of Sentiments: An edited version of the Seneca Falls Convention document

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one portion of the family of man to assume among the people of the earth a position different from that which they have hitherto occupied, but one to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes that impel them to such a course.

We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all genders are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights governments are instituted, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Whenever any form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of those who suffer from it to refuse allegiance to it, and to insist upon the institution of a new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly, all experience has shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves, by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their duty to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of the women under this patriarchy, and such is now the necessity which constrains them to demand the equal station to which they are entitled.

The history of humankind is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations on the part of man and toxic masculinity toward humankind, having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over her. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.

The patriarchy has never permitted us to exercise our inalienable right to speak without repercussions.

The patriarchy has compelled us to submit to laws, in the formation of which we had little voice.

The patriarchy has withheld from our rights the ability to choose what we do with our bodies.

Having deprived us of this first right of a citizen, pure, unadulterated freedom, thereby leaving us without bodily autonomy and security in the law and our personal lives, he has oppressed us on all sides.

The patriarchy has made us conform to their unfair beauty standards.

The patriarchy has taken from us all self esteem with failure to comply with their standards of weight, height, skin color, body type, and appearance in all ways.

The patriarchy has made us, legally, the cause and not the victim, as he can commit many crimes upon our bodies, with impunity, provided our clothing “was asking for it”, provided we may have been drunk, provided we were there. In the crime of rape, we are compelled to lose all semblance of self-respect when he calls into question our personality, our history of drinking, our partying habits, how much we resisted - the law gives him power to deprive us of our liberty, and to make us feel as if we is to blame.

The patriarchy has so framed the laws of social status, as to what shall be the proper causes of man’s demise; in case of sexism or harassment, to whom the complaints of the women shall be swept under the rug, as to be wholly regarded as - the law, in all cases, going upon the false supposition of the supremacy of man, and giving all power into his hands.

After depriving us of all dignity in the case of assault, the patriarchy places barriers in the way of healthcare and access to feminine products and contraception .

The patriarchy has criticized us for our intimate relations and habits, while priding themselves on high body counts.

The patriarchy declares us “bitch”, “slut”, and “whore” to stigmatize our confidence, our self-assertion, our ability to love and feel affection.

The patriarchy has denied us chances at opportunities we are qualified for because of our gender.

The patriarchy allows us in Church as well as State, but a subordinate position, claiming Apostolic authority for us in the name of religious beliefs.

The patriarchy has created a false public sentiment, by giving to the world a different code of morals for men and women, by which moral delinquencies which exclude women from society, are not only tolerated but deemed of little account in man.

The patriarchy has usurped the prerogative of ourselves, claiming it as his right to assign for us a sphere of domestic life and inferiority.

The patriarchy has endeavored, in every way that he could to destroy our confidence in her own powers, to lessen our self-respect, and to make us willing to lead a dependent and abject life.

Now, in view of this entire disrespect of one-half the people of this country, their social and religious degradation, - in view of the unjust laws above mentioned, and because women do feel themselves aggrieved, oppressed, and fraudulently judged for how we live, we insist that they have immediate end to the association of femininity with weakness and evil, and that women are allowed freedom from fear of male harassment and criticism.

In entering upon the great work before us, we anticipate no small amount of misconception, misrepresentation, and ridicule; but we shall use every instrumentality within our power to affect our object. We shall employ agents, circulate tracts, petition the State and national Legislatures, and endeavor to enlist social media and the press on our behalf. We hope these sentiments will be followed by a series of actions, embracing every part of the country.

Firmly relying upon the final triumph of the Right and the True, we do this day affix our signatures to this declaration.