Answer:
If George Proctor were an African-American man living in the southern United States during the pre-Civil War era, he would have had to face a series of social and governmental discriminations regarding his racial status.
Thus, since in the south the black population was mostly slaves, their status as a free man would be constantly questioned and would need to be proven through reliable documentation.
On the other hand, socially he would be relegated to a background condition, although he could enjoy his freedom, since the racist society of the time would relegate him in matters related to his social and political rights.