Life in the south for the freedmen was not necessarily free and equal. Often, white southerners still controlled them by using violence or intimidation. However, the blacks sought religion as a means of establishing some control over their lives. The black preachers quickly became political and social leaders of the black community. They established schools so that they could acquire an education which they felt would give them their freedom and liberty. Soon, African Americans could be found in politics. Pinckney Pinchbeck, a freed slave served as Louisiana’s lieutenant governor. Hiram Revels and Blanche K. Bruce became senators in Congress. The black community was slowly being able to incorporate themselves in the south. However, it was not
