Family or Freedom

Set in the antebellum South, the narrative explores the complex dynamics surrounding free people of color, who posed a threat to pro-slavery ideologies. Their existence challenged the justifications for slavery, leading to legal measures in nine Southern states allowing for the "voluntary" enslavement of free blacks. Intriguingly, some individuals sought to relinquish their freedom, raising questions about their motivations and the societal pressures they faced. This exploration sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of the era's social and legal landscape.