The Trials of Reconstruction

Ever since the Jeffersonian Era, the ideology of "All men are created equal" has been widely advocated by Thomas Jefferson himself, as well as many other philosophers. History repeats itself.  Now, we face ourselves with the burning question: Since the period of Reconstruction have people of color gained equal rights? Even today, people of color are still fighting for equality although many can argue that equality has been granted and guaranteed to all. The ideology of "equality" is still today, simply an illusion for Americans, and in many countries is far from being an accomplished task.

The Freedom's Bureau exemplifies one of the greatest injustices ever aimed at African Americans. In June 1865, some 40,000 freed people had been settled on "Sherman Land" in South Carolina and Georgia, in accordance with Special Field Order 15.  All land in federal had to be returned to its original owners. This meant, that African Americans who were stated to been "free" were no longer free. They were taken the opportunity to own land. Although the African Americans were told that were officially "free", many may ask themselves what was the point of having freedom if they weren't allowed impacting decisions. when THEY were still owned, they roof and shelter covered, but it all came with a couple of perks.. Those perks meant working long hours regardless of the weather conditions, and some may even require working in hazardous conditions.

Today, there is the constant reminder that there is an existent barrier between gender and color. In a recent article on the Huffington Post, it showed how people of color and women got paid 58-68 cents as compared to men and people that are not of color. In 2002 and 2010, there were acts that were proposed in order to change all of this. Unfortunately, out of both of the times that they were proposed, not once did it pass. Later on 2013,  once again, there will be an attempt to change the barrier of the paid amount towards people of color.  That barrier between people of color clearly still exists well after the Trials of Reconstruction.