“Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” The 13th amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified on December 6, 1865. Honstain reflects her times by portraying a former slave stating “Master I am Free” to a white man.  However, her stereotyped depiction of the Black man, with exaggerated facial features, also mirrors the racism deeply embedded in American society.