Freedom at Risk

The book explores the pervasive fear of kidnapping among free blacks in pre-Civil War America, detailing how societal racism and state laws facilitated these abductions. Victims faced severe challenges in reclaiming their freedom due to a biased legal system that presumed all blacks were enslaved. The narrative highlights the motivations behind kidnappings, including greed and the internal slave trade, while showcasing the resilience of the black community in organizing for protection, often with support from abolitionists. Through various historical documents, the author enriches the understanding of free black life during this tumultuous period.