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“I Sell the Shadow to Support the Substance”: A Visual and Historical Analysis

“I Sell the Shadow to Support the Substance”: A Visual and Historical Analysis

by Amaal Elsammak | Nov 29, 2025

The photo of Sojourner Truth titled, I Sell the Shadow to Support the Substance, was her way of taking control of society’s view of her as a black woman. This photo is a carte de visite, or calling card, which is a small card that people used to carry around during...

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