Is African-American assimilation into American culture the main theme of these black codes - Assignment Example

Is African-American Assimilation Into American Culture The Main Theme Of These Black s? The main theme of the Ohio Black Codes 1804 and Snippet on Ohio and Slavery document is the prohibition of African-American assimilation into American culture. As provided for by the punitive code 1804 section one prohibiting blacks from residing in Ohio without certificate from court. The issue of cerficate restricts right to be assimilated as section two provides for the inclusion of blacks’ names and children only after obtaining a court certificate.

New immigrants had to obtain the court papers to be assimilated as outlined in section four. Section six also supports elimination of blacks based on harboring restrictions. Section seven restricts removal of blacks from American slowing assimilation pegged at judge satisfaction. The punitive codes discouraged assimilations of the blacks. Despite earlier abolition of slavery, it was never implemented as provided for in constitution, 1802. Assimilation of Blacks entailed restrictive payment of $500 and other payment to the clerk to obtain court papers guaranteeing blacks’ freedom (Shadd 76).

The restrictive bond escalated by alarmed Negroes influx who were later subjected to similar punitive codes hence forced to vacate within 30 days. Attempts to delay such order were futile hence blacks had to leave for Canada where people were not segregated on the basis of race and colors. The punitive codes were meant to push out non-America away from Ohio and not to assimilate them as pretentiously enacted. Proponent of punitive codes would later regret by losing productive blacks to Canada.

Work CitedShadd, Adrienne L. The Journey from Tollgate to Parkway: African Canadians in Hamilton. Toronto: Natural Heritage Book, 2009. Print.