InHopeofLiberty Edited (1)

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Houston Community College *

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1301

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Arts Humanities

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Dec 6, 2023

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docx

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3

Uploaded by paquettekate02

In Hope of Liberty Summary In Hope of Liberty , written by James Oliver Horton and Lois E. Horton, presents the historical development of the African American culture and the pursuit for equality in America between 1700-1860. After the American Revolution, African Americans in the North gained their freedom due to the abolishment of slavery, but their freedoms were limited. Unfortunately, during this time slavery in the South was still enforced. Authors James Oliver Horton and Lois E. Horton both worked together as a married couple to produce “many important works of collaborative scholarship.” (Raymond Arsenault). James Horton got his PhD in American Civilization History and MA in American Studies. James and Lois Horton wanted to educate society about the struggles, that African Americans have faced and continue to face. The authors state in the introduction of the book, In Hope of Liberty, “In this book we seek to explore these issues that illustrate the complexity of African-American society and illuminate the aspirations of generations of a people struggling for liberty.” (xii). In Hope of Liberty supplies readers about the lack of rights that African Americans had even after they gained their so called “freedom.” African American people volunteered their service when Lincoln stressed the need for volunteers in April 1861, just three months before the beginning of the Civil War. However, their offered services were rejected by the chief of police
who answered them saying, “It was white men's fight, with which ------ had nothing to do." (269). Within the next year officials were left with no logical choice but to let African Americans serve as soldiers in the war due to the abundance of deaths amongst soldiers. Even through the unfair treatment and the endless journey for equal rights, African Americans were able to establish their own culture which was something that no higher-powered official could take from them. A large part of their culture was built upon music, which had a positive effect on the white community as well! As they would work outside, they would sing songs and create their own beats with what materials they could find. African American cultured music also bled into the white population as the book reads: “In the South, where African influences were strongest, common white people played the African banjo, which they regarded as an American instrument, used the African word "tote" to mean carry, and sang Polly- Wolly-Doodle All Day without the slightest thought or recognition that in doing so they were confirming the multicultural-multiracial character of their folk traditions.” (156). Throughout the struggle for liberty, the African American community brought together a multiracial community even in the separated circumstances. They began gaining more rights over time and were able to not only establish their own unique culture, but also established a shared connection between the black and white communities.
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