“We’re free, now what?” By the turn of the 20th century every nation in the Western Hemisphere had abolished descent-based slavery. But while liberation in one form was happening across the Americas, Africa was being carved up like a cake by European powers. This vociferous period is a kaleidoscope of dramatic highs and lows. Over the next two classes, we will explore this volatility. On one hand, a new, black, upper class of inventors, creatives, entrepreneurs, and public intellectuals was blazing new trails across the globe. On the other hand violence, discrimination, and anti-black policies threatened their very existence.