February 23, 2017
“The most violent element in society is ignorance.”
Emma Goldman could not escape the title people gave her as being just another “Jewish woman.” Criticism came to her because of this and she even stated, “life was linked with that of the race.”11 On the contrary, Emma Goldman kept her head up. Candace Falk says Emma envisioned herself as “a woman who could transcend the boundaries imposed by the stereotypical social constructions of religion.”12 Emma would express herself through written word as time progressed. Nearing the last few years of her life, in 1937, Emma showed her concern even more for the striking rise of Nazism. Emma took to writing about this now because of her shock in learning about Adolf Hitler and all that he proposed. She wanted to exclaim how she had fought so hard for the right of a good life for the Jewish community, and she wanted to emphasize how Jewish culture was not to be annihilated, but appreciated for its contributions. She dreaded the future that was to come, and she urged the need for countries to take in Jewish refugees. Only three years later, in 1940, Emma Goldman unfortunately died from a stroke in Toronto, Canada where she lived in hopes that she would be allowed to visit the United States.13 Emma Goldman stood up for many things throughout her life, and did not hide her voice from the crowd. She persevered, she never gave up on her ideas and beliefs. She stood up for those who needed to be heard and she did not apologize for it. She was feared, and she was adored. She, in herself, is a symbol of free expression and through this she wanted people to follow in her footsteps. She wished for a better world for those who were oppressed. She wanted a world where women were looked at as being more than their physical bodies. She fought for equality and she fought for fair treatment. Emma Goldman was a woman who was not afraid to speak when so many tried to silence her.Anarchism
Anarchist
Emma Goldman
Andrick Ferrer
I want to wish Gabriela Serrato, the author, a big congratulations on winning Best Article in the Category of “Gender History” in the Spring 2017 StMU History Media Awards. It is no surprise that an article like this would win such an award. Very descriptive and well written in every aspect, an article that was very much worth reading.
11/05/2022
3:34 pm
Alexa Casares
The pictures were definitely a great way to intrigued the reader! Loved it!
15/05/2022
3:34 pm
Tabitha Babcock
It was so cool to learn about Emma. I feel so inspired by her, she was standing up and speaking about issues we still have today over 100 years ago! In a time when she could have easily been killed for it! Her determination is showcased perfectly in this article, great job!
12/01/2023
3:34 pm
Andrea Tapia
Before even reading the article my first instinct from the title was that she was a dangerous women for a crime she did. In reality it was the opposite she used her voice to inspire so many people and others who wanted to silence her. She risked her life for the people who couldn’t stand up for themselves and almost got herself killed. All she wanted was to speak her voice and for people to listen to the topics she was discussing. Even till today we still face these same type of issues and we need more women like her to be our voice and make a change. I loved reading this article because it brought me courage to be a better women and know I can be more than just a physical body. The author did such an amazing job and the way it was told was perfection to where I understood every paragraph. Even today she is still making a meaningful impact to humans and she is so strong for everything she had to face during her childhood. She is not just a role model, but a true hero for showing her parents she can do so much more than to just be a women in life.
06/02/2023
3:34 pm
D’vaughn Duran
I didn’t know anything about who Emma Goldman was, so this was a great passage to read. Emma Goldman and the early age of her childhood was so brutal with what she endured. At the young ages with moving and being denied an education by her parents. Later, when she grew up she fled to New York with her sister but her abusive parents followed them. I can’t imagine how she felt hearing this news with more information. Also, her being an activist on the working conditions at that time and sexual reproduction freedom for women. She did all the speaking about these topics in Yiddish and German.
07/02/2023
3:34 pm
Olivia Gray
Wow! Really great article. When I read the title I thought maybe Emma Goldman was going to be some big time criminal who did dangerous things, but turns out to be the complete opposite. It was sad to read that her dad did not think women served a purpose in the world of education. I think that is really unfair to her that she was unable to attend school after some time, considering she dreamed of one day being a doctor. I really enjoyed reading about Emma Goldman and her accomplishments .
07/02/2023
3:34 pm
Danielle Sanchez
Congratulations on your award! Emma Goldman who became an anarchist and women’s rights activist was an introduction that drew my attention. Emma Goldman’s life changed in 1881 when her family decided to move to St. Petersburg, Russia. She suffered financially and stopped attending school. After her dreams were shattered of becoming a doctor she was introduced to the ideas of radicalism. Which turned her into a strong believer in rejecting arranged marriages. In the duration of her life she stood up for many things. Emma Goldman always stood up for the less privileged.
07/02/2023
3:34 pm
Alexandra Ballard
This was such an interesting read! Congratulations on your award, well deserved. I had never heard of this woman or her anarchist counterparts. I found it funny that she concluded an anarchist society is both promising and based on reason when we today define it as a state of disorder. It’s sad to see that we have historically divided ourselves based on race and religion. I can’t imagine the feeling she had after fighting her whole life for a cause that was only to be destroyed a few years later.
07/02/2023
3:34 pm
Abbey Stiffler
While Emma Goldman was an anarchist she stood up for a lot of women’s rights that were merely discussed during her lifetime. I think her tough childhood led her to look at other places which opened up her eyes to what society was like. I cannot imagine moving between three different countries in her life. She inspired her generation to stand up for what they believed in.
08/02/2023
3:34 pm
Veronica Lopez
Amazing article! I recently did a presentation on women empowerment. I learned a lot of history regarding women, women suffrage and the importance of women in society. Your article gave me the idea of adding a slide to my presentation called “Important Advocates.” In the slide I added historical figures such as Emma Goldman. Thank you for the idea! And also I love the pictures you used.
01/05/2022
3:34 pm