The Metamorphosis of African-American Slaves after the Civil War Essay Example

its foundation, which in turn must be rooted in ideology. There is no physical evidence or natural law that provides a convincing argument for the superiority of one group of people over another.

The concept of a racial hierarchy, suggesting the superiority of specific races, has been put forth by well-known universities. This hierarchy places Northern Europeans at the top, followed by central Europeans, Southern Europeans, Asians, American Indians, and Africans (Hudelson ; Ross, p.95).

Following its rapid transition from academia to mainstream society, the theory clarified the reasons behind the South's resistance to emancipating their slaves. Nevertheless, in the aftermath of the Civil War, Southerners were compelled to relinquish their valuable assets.

Ron Eyerman (2001, p. 23) states that by the end of the civil war, approximately 3,953,696 slaves were freed. This accounted for roughly 12.6% of the entire American population and 32% of the Southern population in 1860. The significant number of liberated slaves undoubtedly had a considerable influence on the economic landscape.

Education

Former African-American slaves took a significant stride in education, as they endured centuries of living in appalling conditions. Not only were they deprived of basic necessities, but they were also prohibited from acquiring literacy skills.

An uneducated slave without intellectual abilities but skilled in physical labor, such as hauling cotton and corn, is deemed more valuable as a worker compared to an intellectual who can engage in intellectual discussions but lacks usefulness for physical tasks.

African-Americans find motivation from influential figures such as Booker T. Washington, Frederick Douglas, and Harriet Jacobs in their pursuit of personal growth through education. One individual who holds

great importance is Booker T. Washington, who overcame significant obstacles and developed impressive writing skills despite initially having a limited grasp of the English language.

In his book Up from Slavery, Washington remembered his bittersweet experience and his strong desire to read. As a young child, he made a resolution to attain enough education to read everyday books and newspapers. This determination paved the way for black children to be granted opportunities that were previously withheld from their ancestors.

Social Networking

The transformation of African-American slaves into free individuals did not solely rely on acquiring literacy skills. Their identity was also influenced by the social connections they developed while still enslaved. These familial and friendship networks persisted even after their emancipation from the plantations.

According to McMurry, the slave community on plantations and farms served as an extended family. After gaining freedom, these informal support networks transformed into structured church groups and benevolent organizations that provided assistance to families in times of crisis (as cited in Eyerman, 2001, p. 24).

The church plays a vital role in providing spiritual and physical healing, as well as assisting individuals in reconnecting with their African-American identity through Bible study. This knowledge was later utilized by influential figures like Martin Luther King, Jr. to advocate for freedom.