Although both Marcus Garvey and Olympe de Gouges lived in two different time periods, they were both

strong advocates in the fight for the rights of both men and women (respectively). Marcus Garvey lived in in the United States during a time when racial segregation existed in the country, and had a negative impact on African Americans. Olympe de Gouges had lived during a time of Revolution in France, and fought for the equality of women in French society. Through their efforts, both the Declaration of Rights of the Negro Peoples of the World and the Declaration of the Rights of Woman were established, and both share many similar points stressing the importance of human rights. One point on which these two documents were similar is the idea that people are born both free and in equal rights. The Declaration of the Rights of Woman suggests that women are born equal to men in status and that segregation may only be based in economic status (Article 1) Similarly, the Declaration of Rights of the Negro Peoples of the World mentions an idea not unlike that which is expressed in the Declaration of Independence, that all men are created equal, and are entitled to the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness(Article 12-1). Another point of similarity between the two documents is that people must be treated equally and under just laws. In the Declaration of the Rights of Woman, de Gouges mentions that women must follow the law as males do, but emphasizes that the punishment for any crime commited by a woman is one that fits the crime committed (Articles 7-8). Also, in the Declaration of Rights of the Negro Peoples of the World, it is complained about that some African Americans do not get the right a fair and public trial, but suffer from the vigilante justice of lynchings and mobs (Article 2). A final point in which these two documents are alike is in the push towards job equality. Olympe de Gouges mentions that women should have equal job positions and employment as men (Article 13), while the Declaration of Rights of the Negro Peoples of the World complains about the lack of job opportunities and payment when compared to their white counterparts (Article 7). http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/garvey/filmmore/ps_rights.html http://www.library.csi.cuny.edu/dept/americanstudies/lavender/decwom2.html http://www.answers.com/topic/olympe-de-gouges http://www.answers.com/topic/french-revolution Mary Lawler - Marcus Garvey