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 worshiping the christians 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 nations 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 nations history

Explanation:

The text lists various activities (ploughing, planting, reaping, using tools, working in metals, having professionals like lawyers etc., engaging in enterprises, living as families, confessing and worshipping God) that Black people were doing. But it ends with the statement that they were "called upon to prove that we are men" which implies that despite doing the same duties as others (as shown by the activities listed), they did not have the same rights (as having to prove their humanity suggests a lack of recognition of basic rights that others had).

Answer:

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