Slavery Ends, New Struggles Begin

Slavery Ends, New Struggles Begin

The Reconstruction Era was a time in America after the Civil War. During the Reconstruction Era, America had to find a way to rebuild itself physically and socially after the military campaigns had ended. The problem of how to treat and interact with former slaves became a big issue because not all Americans were ready to view former slaves as equals. During the Reconstruction Era, blacks were free, but their struggle for survival was greater than when they were slaves because of a lack of resources and being seen as inferior in a racist nation that was still ruled by whites.

Blacks realized the freedom they longed for came with new trials and tribulations because of a lack of resources. Alleviated and joyful, the African Americans celebrated their freedom, danced and shouted phrases like “Thank God, I’s free as a jay bird” (McKinney 5); however, their celebrations ended quickly because the lives blacks dreamed of and saw that the white folk lived day in and day out was far beyond a freedman’s grasp. Without resources, blacks’ dreams dissolved and reality set because freedom doesn’t buy food, shelter or happiness. Freedom is simply having the choice to go and work as hard or easy as one sees fit to obtain what they want and need, but without the proper resources the drive to succeed is pointless. African Americans’ focus’ changed from wanting and finally obtaining their freedom, to how I will eat or where I will sleep tonight, which forced many to make the decision to either return to their prior owners in hopes to gain their jobs back as a chance for survival, or to try to endure their new freedom without the basic necessities like food and shelter. Having to depend on someone for the basics like food and shelter cannot be considered freedom.

Bound by segregation and biased laws, African Americans were restricted from many opportunities to live the “American Dream” as they were far from being seen as equal. Not being...