Black people understand that they were never slaves, but many of the issues that relate to race today have stemmed from slavery. Stereotypes from slavery have perpetuated through time and have been embedded into both American culture and American institutions. Which affects how many black people are treated in the United States.

When slavery was abolished it didn't mean that black people were instantly integrated into society. Black people still faced extreme oppression and were prevented from working due to their race which in combination of an unsupportive and hostile community didn't allow for upward mobility of economic class. Jim Crow laws existed to prevent black people from being a part of society and ultimately delaying the ability to become functioning members in the postbellum south.

Edit: forgot a word or two