The introduction of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the United States Constitution have presented new opportunities for freed slaves. However, these laws do not immediately transform our lives. Their main role is to separate us from our past, the future is still to unravel. The best chance to start a new life is to move to the north where there are more opportunities and where we can avoid the strained social conditions of the South. Many other former slaves in the South are also making this journey to seek out better life opportunities.
One of the major changes that has occurred has been that more people are moving into urban areas for the first time. This is my current situation. I have no prior experience living in a major city. Most of my life has been spent in rural Southern farms away from any city experience. It is a major step that will likely have more impacts over time. For example, we will have to start new lives that are almost entirely different from those we know.
Our future is now in our hands. We have managed to gain more recognition in this country. Our future will be better than the past we have known.