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Compare And Contrast African Americans And Black Abolitionists

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Nov 2 at 3:30 PM
Steven Spellman
The American Colonization Society (ACS), also known as the American Society for Colonizing the Free People of Color in the United States, was a national organization dedicated to promoting the the act of a slave owner freeing his or her slaves. The ACS was created to gradually abolish slavery in the United States, and send emancipated or free slaves to Africa. The US established colonies on the West African coasts to send African Americans to. White abolitionists believed that this program would help African Americans become free. However, African Americans responded with concerns that they would not be able to enjoy the same freedom and rights as in the US. It was an unfair advance for African Americans …show more content…

White abolitionists focused on slavery, the freedom of African American slaves, and gaining economic profit or to spread religion. Black abolitionists pushed anti-slavery activities which included pushing for racial equality and justice. Black abolitionists focused on what happened to African American’s after slavery and help established networks for former slaves to help lift them up. According to an interview found on pbs.org; David Blight, a Professor of the History and Black Studies at Amherst College states: “Many white abolitionists had certain expectations of what black abolitionists were to provide or to perform within this movement. Very often, black abolitionists had different, very different, perceptions of what their role ought to be. So, there was a struggle among white and black abolitionists about just what the proper role of a black abolitionist was in this movement.” The tone of this quote is questionable. Was Blight implying that black abolitionists had to refrain from deviating out of their roles? It is very clear that although the abolitionists were fighting to end slavery, the tone of racism was still present and causing a rift between the black and white

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