This segment of the reading stuck out to me. Former Slaves, following the Emancipation Proclamation, changed their names to ones that represented their newfound freedom, such as "Hope" and "Chance". The action itself has another meaning, as stated by Foner, to state their new autonomy. That they will behold themselves to no fate but the one they choose. They will not stand down and allow themselves to be pushed into a role by society any longer. And renaming themselves is that assertion.