Before the first shots were fired in Concord by rebel colonists and British troops, Lord Dunmore dangled a carrot to the enslaved of Virginia offering them freedom from slavery in exchange for loyalty to the King of England. Dunmore explicitly declared all enslaved people owned by Patriot masters “free” if they joined British forces. This was the first official governmental offer of emancipation in the colonies. What may seem like an obvious choice did not strike most enslave

Black enslaved people had a completely different attitude to the word freedom than their white masters. Since 1619, the number of Africans who were kidnapped and brought to the American colonies had swelled to over half a million men, women, and children. For the enslaved, the lack of freedom was all they knew. Some free Blacks lived in larger cities, but they were the rarity. Enslaved Blacks could hardly understand the difference that separated these free walking individuals

Communication between those being enslaved on one plantation to the next was remarkedly fast and accurate. Enslaved people developed a trusty and vigorous regional communication network that surprised many of their masters. Using different methods depending on the local environment, the enslaved discovered local news and events as fast as white settlers not on plantations. Overheard conversations in the big house were the number one source of new information. House servants a

When Thomas Jefferson took pen to paper and wrote those fateful words, “all men are created equal”, he clearly did not include universal freedom for 500,000 souls who were treated as chattel property. Jefferson and other founding fathers did not see the paradox that these competing interests that the enslaved understood clearly. The racial hierarchies in existence were a given for these founders, and none of them seriously believed that emancipation would occur any time soon.

The Black valets of the Southern colonies heard in Philadelphia when the Declaration of Independence was adopted, but they did not think that the rousing words of “all men are created equally” applied to them. However, many in bondage heard those same words and reacted joyously by demanding that they were free. From New York to South Carolina, runaways offered their explanation for their action by arguing that the Declaration of Independence applied to their circumstances. Ad

Hardly any student in high school or college questions the validity of history written in their textbooks, taught in their classrooms. Teachers are instructed to adhere to the curriculum they are given. But who writes the history books that are treated as unquestionable? Four publishing companies, Pearson, McGraw Hill, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and Bedford/St. Martin’s, manage the flow of history to most of the American school boards who have ultimate control over the texts.

Historical fiction has a unique ability to transport readers to different times and places, allowing them to experience the past in a way that is both engaging and educational. This genre blends factual history with imaginative storytelling, creating narratives that not only entertain but also inform. In this blog post, we will explore the significance of historical fiction, its impact on readers, and how it serves as a powerful tool for understanding history. The Essence of

Historical fiction has the unique ability to transport readers to different times and places, allowing them to experience the world through the eyes of characters shaped by their historical contexts. As a writer, exploring themes of social justice within this genre not only enriches the narrative but also engages readers in critical conversations about equity, rights, and humanity. This post delves into the importance of social justice in historical fiction, providing insight

Historical storytelling is not just about recounting events; it is about capturing the complexity of human experiences. The past is filled with intricate narratives that deserve to be told with nuance. This blog post explores the significance of nuance in historical storytelling, illustrating how it enriches our understanding of history and fosters empathy among readers. Understanding Nuance in Historical Context Nuance refers to the subtle differences and complexities that e