Slave-Like Conditions Among African-Americans
The black people experienced different slave-like conditions, which denied them social and economic justice. For instance, African-Americans were prohibited from using public facilities belonging to the white race in the 1880s (Oshinsky, 1997). The former were punished severely by the authorities when found in the slightest violation of a rule. Authoritative acts of public embarrassment among accused individuals caused intimidation and serious lifetime body scars. Using railroad services also depicted a significant element of segregation against the black community. Essentially, discriminative social policies were intended to safeguard racial generational interests by keeping white people away from black culture in places like Mississippi.
Moreover, African-Americans experienced slave-like conditions, serving as plantation workers for white farmers. Black slaves were assigned manual roles in large farms operated in deplorable working conditions. For instance, they completed heavy duties for more than eight hours in a day for poor pay of $1.25 (Zinn & Arnove, 2004). Tough disciplinary measures were adopted against African-Americans who defied their masters at work. Severe cases would lead to death as victims were caned brutally using corporal punishment practices. Wage increase protests were an indication that the black farmers working in the plantations still experienced economic injustice.
Reconstruction Amendments
Reconstruction of national politics in the U.S. after the end of slavery in 1865 included the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth amendments. They were intended to enhance inclusivity in the diverse representation of African-Americans in federal-level politics. The thirteenth amendment ensured the abolition of the slave trade across all American states. The fourteenth modification granted all persons born or naturalized in the U.S. citizenship for exclusive public participation on social, political, and economic issues. Finally, the fifteenth reconstruction amendment of 1870 prohibited the disenfranchising of voters during elections. Most importantly, the modifications of state or federal laws were objective in resolving social, economic, and political grievances among former African-American slaves.
References
Oshinsky, D. M. (1997). Worse than slavery: Parchman farm and the ordeal of Jim Crow Justice. History is a Weapon.
Zinn, H., & Arnove, A. (2004). Red-handed murder: Negroes wantonly killed at Thibodaux, La. History is a Weapon.