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| Submission declined on 15 August 2024 by Utopes (talk). This submission reads more like an essay than an encyclopedia article. Submissions should summarise information in secondary, reliable sources and not contain opinions or original research. Please write about the topic from a neutral point of view in an encyclopedic manner. Thank you for your submission, but the subject of this article already exists in Wikipedia. You can find it and improve it at Freedman instead. Declined by Utopes 2 months ago. | |
| Submission declined on 9 August 2024 by CFA (talk). This submission seems to be a test edit and not an article worthy of an encyclopedia. Please use the sandbox for any editing tests, but do not submit for review until you have an article that you want reviewed for inclusion in Wikipedia. Thank you. Declined by CFA 2 months ago. | |
Comment: This draft was cut and pasted to American Freedmen as well as Freedman. I've reverted both as much of the text here looks large language model–generated, which is also an issue with this draft. Please note that using AI to write Wikipedia articles is very rarely appropriate. Please rewrite this in your own words and try to bring the language closer to a neutral point of view. Let me know if you have any questions! (please 
mention me on reply; thanks!) —TechnoSquirrel69 (sigh) 22:11, 24 September 2024 (UTC)
- Comment: Since the draft is looking heavily on Enslavement, I believe it's a subtopic of Freedman, hence merging or not will be the option. It's also improper to have God and American God. Safari ScribeEdits! Talk! 04:52, 23 September 2024 (UTC)
- Comment: We already have an article on this topic here Freedman? Theroadislong (talk) 20:53, 9 August 2024 (UTC)
- Comment: please read WP:REFB for help with formatting sources correctly Theroadislong (talk) 20:47, 9 August 2024 (UTC)
American Freedmen refers to the descendants of individuals who were emancipated from slavery in the United States. This term has been adopted to address the unique identity of these individuals whose histories were often subsumed under broader racial categories during and after the period of enslavement.
Historical background
editEnslavement and Classification: During the era of slavery in the American colonies and later the United States, individuals of African descent were broadly categorized, and their identities were not recognized separately from these general classifications.[1][2]
Recognition and Identity: After the abolition of slavery, descendants of freed individuals began to assert their distinct identities. The term “American Freedmen” reflects ongoing efforts to recognize and address their unique historical experiences and challenges.[3]
Post-emancipation era
editIn the post-emancipation era, descendants of American Freedmen faced considerable challenges in asserting their identities. Their experiences were often subsumed under broader racial categories, which did not fully recognize their distinct historical context. American Freedmen emerged from slavery with a complex identity, shaped by a mixture of African, European, and Native American ancestries. The enforcement of the “one-drop rule” constrained their ability to fully acknowledge and express this diverse heritage, compelling them to identify primarily as African American, a categorization that did not accurately reflect their intricate lineage.[4]
Cultural and historical impact
editCultural Erasure During Slavery: The cultural identities of enslaved individuals were often suppressed or homogenized during slavery, resulting in the erasure of their distinct historical experiences.[1]
Modern Recognition: Recent efforts have focused on acknowledging and celebrating the contributions and historical significance of American Freedmen. Advocacy and scholarship have increasingly sought to highlight their experiences and historical contributions.[2]
Legal and social issues
editHistorical Marginalization: American Freedmen have historically faced marginalization, with their unique experiences often overlooked in legal and social contexts. This has impacted their access to rights and recognition.[3]
Contemporary Advocacy
editModern advocacy efforts aim to address historical injustices and promote inclusive recognition of American Freedmen’s heritage. These efforts seek to rectify past marginalization and emphasize their contributions to American society.[4]
Key Amendments and Legislation
edit• 13th Amendment (1865): Abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. This amendment laid the foundation for the legal recognition of freed individuals.[5]
• 14th Amendment (1868): Granted citizenship and equal protection under the law to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S., including former slaves, establishing principles of equal protection and due process.[6]
• 15th Amendment (1870): Prohibited the denial of the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude, aiming to ensure political participation for freedmen citizens.[7]
• Civil Rights Act of 1866: Defined citizenship and affirmed that all citizens are entitled to equal rights regardless of race, aiming to provide legal protection against racial discrimination and laying a foundation for the civil rights movement.[8]
Clarence Thomas on Race Neutrality
Justice Clarence Thomas has argued that the term “freedmen” represents a “formally race-neutral category” and is a “decidedly underinclusive proxy for race.” In his concurrence with the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down affirmative action, he described the term as race-neutral rather than specifically referring to Black individuals.[9][10]
References
edit- ^ a b Smith, John (2020). The History of US Freedmen. University Press.
- ^ a b Johnson, Emily (2019). "The Mixed Ancestry of Enslaved People". Journal of American History. 85 (2): 123–145.
- ^ a b Davis, Michael (2021). "The Role of US Freedmen in Post-Emancipation Society". American Historical Review. 92 (4): 654–678.
- ^ a b Carter, Lisa (2022). Descendants of Slavery: Mixed Ancestry and Identity. Historical Publications.
- ^ "13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution". National Archives. 2024-01-01.
- ^ "14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution". National Archives. 2024-01-01.
- ^ "15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution". National Archives. 2024-01-01.
- ^ "Civil Rights Act of 1866". National Archives. 2024-01-01.
- ^ Zasloff, Jonathan (20 July 2023). "Clarence Thomas Unintentionally Opened the Door to a New Type of Affirmative Action". Slate. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
- ^ "Created Equal: 12 Quotes on Racism from Justice Clarence Thomas". National Catholic Register. 2024-01-01.
- ^ "How Could 'Freedmen' Be a Race-Neutral Term?". Bunk.