28. Black Americans’ Relationship With the Land of Liberty Was Fraught From the Start
Even during its birth pangs, the newly emerging United States had a fraught relationship with its black population. They were not citizens, for the rights of citizenship were denied them, along with freedom. Instead, they were severely circumscribed subjects. Despite that, many wanted to help their land of birth gain its independence but were denied by many, including the Continental Army’s commander in chief, George Washington.
Today, the struggle between Britain and the American colonists is usually presented as a fight for freedom between tyranny and a people yearning for liberty. However, from the perspective of many black colonists, it was not so straightforward, and the side that offered them liberty and freedom from tyranny was that of the British, not the Patriots.