What was true about African Americans during the civil war is true?

During the Civil War, African Americans played a crucial role in both the Union and Confederate armies, with approximately 180,000 serving in the Union forces by the war's end. Many escaped enslaved individuals sought refuge with Union troops, and the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 officially allowed African Americans to enlist in the military. Their participation not only contributed significantly to the Union's victory but also highlighted their fight for freedom and civil rights, laying the groundwork for future social and political advancements. However, African Americans faced discrimination and unequal treatment within the military and society at large during this period.