Free blacks in the North had almost no political freedom. In states such as Connecticut and Minnesota, free blacks could not vote or participate in jury duty. Other states like Ohio and Indiana had restrictions but Massachusetts was the only state to …show more content…
Although free blacks could obtain a job and money, they were still believed to be inferior by whites. One of the main factors for free blacks was employment segregation. No one will employ me; white boys won’t work with me. No one will have me in his office; white clerks won’t associate with me (Doc C). The free blacks also could pay taxes and perform duties (Doc B). From money to employment, the free blacks in the north endured more economic struggles than freedoms.
Even though whites claimed that he shall be free to live, and to thrive (Doc B), free blacks had more social restrictions than freedoms. Some restrictions for free blacks were he shall not be free to dine and drink at our table - to mingle with us in the concert-room, the lecture-room, the theatre, or the church (Doc B). On the other hand, church held majority of the freedoms. The church became a source of involvement and a place where they could speak their minds. The African Congregational Church in New Haven offered a literary club, ran a Sunday school, hosted abolitionist meetings, and provided a refuge for refugees (Doc D). Even though slavery was abolished, blacks and whites were far from being socially equal.
As a whole, free blacks in the north encountered many political, economic, and social restrictions. Blacks in the North may have been free, but whites did not treat them that