Question

Read the excerpt from "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”

Is it not astonishing that, while we are ploughing, planting, and reaping, using all kinds of mechanical tools, erecting houses, constructing bridges, building ships, working in metals of brass, iron, copper, silver and gold; that, while we are reading, writing and ciphering, acting as clerks, merchants and secretaries, having among us lawyers, doctors, ministers, poets, authors, editors, orators and teachers; that, while we are engaged in all manner of enterprises common to other men, digging gold in California, capturing the whale in the Pacific, feeding sheep and cattle on the hill-side, living, moving, acting, thinking, planning, living in families as husbands, wives and children, and, above all, confessing and worshipping the Christian’s God, and looking hopefully for life and immortality beyond the grave, we are called upon to prove that we are men!

Based on the excerpt above, what was most likely true about this time in the nation’s history?
Whaling was the most profitable industry for Black people.
Ships were the primary means of transporting goods for Black people.
Black people were performing the same duties as others without the same rights.
More industries were created by Black people during this period than any other time in our nation’s history.

Answer 1

Black people were performing the same duties as others without the same rights.

Explanation: The passage lists many common occupations and activities Black people engaged in, then contrasts that with being “called upon to prove that we are men,” implying they did the same work as others but were denied equal rights and recognition.