Gilbert Paul Carrasco, a legal history expert, Kate Masur, a historian of the Reconstruction era, and Kidada Williams, an African American history scholar, dive into the tumultuous legal landscape of Reconstruction. They discuss how laws both upheld racial hierarchies and fueled the Black freedom struggle. The trio explores landmark cases like Dred Scott, the promises and challenges of Reconstruction Amendments, and the ongoing fight for voting rights. This insightful conversation sheds light on the complex relationship between legislation and civil rights during a pivotal time in American history.

During the Civil War, Black people in America took the opportunity to free themselves and to serve the Union cause. At great personal risk, tens of thousands of refugees -- men, women and children -- fled Southern slave owners for Union lines. They enlisted in the Union Army and served as cooks, laundresses, nurses and even spies. On today’s show, Wayne State University history professor Kidada Williams joins host Lindsay Graham for a conversation about the Black experience during the Civil War. Professor Williams is host of the podcast Seizing Freedom, which tells stories of Black Americans’ quest for liberty, equality and joy.Listen ad free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App. https://wondery.app.link/historytellersSupport us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.