# American Freedmen

American Freedmen refers to a class of people that are descendants of individuals who were emancipated from slavery in the United States. This term has been adopted to address the unique modern identity of these individuals whose histories were often subsumed under broader racial categories during and after the period of enslavement.

## Historical background

Enslavement 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.
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.

## Post-emancipation era

In 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.

## Cultural and historical impact

Cultural 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.
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.

## Legal and social issues

Historical 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.

## Contemporary Advocacy

Modern 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.

## Key Amendments and Legislation

* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
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.