ShmoopTube

00:10

Hey there… you got some work for me?

00:12

I’ll do anything – shovel manure, clean toilets… even become a politician.

00:16

I’m desperate.

00:19

Yeah, this freedom thing is great and all, but… it sure doesn’t solve all our problems…

00:24

Maybe I should back up a bit.

00:26

There… that’s better.

00:28

Ever since we slaves were emancipated following the Civil War…

00:32

…we’ve been treated a little differently.

00:35

Southern whites aren’t exactly showering

00:37

us with apologies and inviting us to their poker games…

00:40

…but at least we’re being treated like people now.

00:45

For the most part.

00:49

Before the war, it was like we were teenagers without any of the rights and privileges of adults.

00:54

Except… it was sorta like we were always grounded.

00:57

Now, we’re recognized by the U.S. government as actual citizens.

01:00

We may still not be considered equals, but at least the government has elevated us above

01:05

the level of livestock. Legally, anyway.

01:08

Baby steps, I guess.

01:14

However, freedom has brought with it a slew

01:17

of brand new problems.

01:18

Slavery was dehumanizing and awful, but it did provide for our basic needs.

01:23

After all, our masters needed us to stay alive and healthy… so they could exploit us.

01:28

Some slave masters even allowed their slaves to be educated.

01:35

Of course, now they can’t afford to support so many paid workers, so most have been let go.

01:40

Which means no job, no house, and no guaranteed way to score a steady meal.

01:45

Emancipation? More like “emaciation.”

01:49

We’re free, which is great, but we now find ourselves in abject poverty…

01:55

…and there is very little employment opportunity being offered by white men.

02:00

If I didn’t know any better, I’d think they were holding just a little bit of a grudge.

02:07

I’ve still got my fingers crossed that things will turn around and times will get better…

02:10

…but in the meantime, I could really go for a heaping plate of corn pone.

02:14

Or just about anything...

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