what does this quote mean?
"When I look at human beings as moral beings, all distinction in sex sinks to insig- nificance and nothingness; for I believe it regulates rights and responsibilities no more than the color of the skin or the eyes. My doctrine, then is, that whatever it is morally right for man to do, it is morally right for woman to do. . . . This regulation of duty by the mere circumstance of sex . . . has led to all that [numerous] train of evils flowing out of the anti-christian doctrine of masculine and feminine virtues. "
From Angelina Grimké, Letter in The Liberator (August 2, 1837)
Here's the central idea for the whole paragraph:
My doctrine, then is, that whatever it is morally right for man to do, it is morally right for woman to do.
Laws, practices, duties -- all should be based on that idea, the equality of the sexes.
This quote by Angelina Grimké expresses her belief that when considering human beings as moral beings, gender distinctions become insignificant and irrelevant. She argues that gender should not determine one's rights and responsibilities any more than physical characteristics such as skin color or eye color. Grimké's doctrine or belief is that whatever actions are morally right for men to do, they should also be considered morally right for women to do.
She criticizes the prevailing notion that individuals have different virtues or qualities based on their gender, which she considers to be an anti-Christian doctrine. According to Grimké, this belief in masculine and feminine virtues has led to a multitude of negative consequences and societal problems. Thus, her quote serves as a critique of the social and moral inequality imposed by the gender-based expectations and limitations of her time.