Despite the elevation of Guerrero and Morelos as symbolic heroes, participation in the liberation movement did not accrue many benefits to blacks. Their socio-economic status remained the same as they were unable to find employment, lacked the means to support themselves and could not protect themselves from continuing discrimination. They soon discovered that the caste laws previously established to keep them subjected were still being used to continue to subjugate them. Many returned to the sure prospect of a meal on the plantations and others resorted to 'vagrancy' and itinerant lifestyles.