Thanksgiving in the Face of Opposition

New Orleans: Thanksgiving Amidst Struggles for Freedom

In New Orleans, the historical significance of Thanksgiving for enslaved individuals was a nuanced reflection of their existence amid societal constraints. While the festivity bore semblances to the traditional holiday, it was fraught with limitations and hardships. Families, torn apart by the cruel institution of slavery, often faced ordinances restricting gatherings and imposing fragmented celebrations. Ownership of property or the ability to celebrate freely was a luxury few could afford.

However, amidst these adversities, the resilience of enslaved communities prevailed. Defying restrictions, they clandestinely congregated, cherishing brief moments of unity and spiritual solace. The struggle to reclaim familial bonds and preserve cultural traditions persisted despite the oppressive environment.

The defeat of such policies and restrictions wasn’t immediate, but gradual emancipation and the eventual abolishment of slavery marked pivotal victories. Though challenges persisted for newly freed blacks, the resilience and fortitude exhibited during these Thanksgiving gatherings echoed the enduring spirit of perseverance.

Natchez, Mississippi: A Tapestry of Thanksgiving and Resilience

In Natchez, Thanksgiving for enslaved individuals was interwoven with the fabric of their daily lives under bondage. Ordinances and restrictions often curtailed the expression of familial ties, limiting the joyousness of the occasion. Despite these constraints, slaves sought solace in communal gatherings, sharing meager yet heartfelt meals as an act of solidarity and defiance against their circumstances.

The defeat of oppressive ordinances didn’t happen overnight. It was a culmination of persistent advocacy, resistance, and the tireless pursuit of justice. The gradual shift towards freedom and the acknowledgment of the rights of newly freed blacks marked a turning point, albeit amidst ongoing challenges and struggles.

Memphis, Tennessee: Thanksgiving in the Shadow of Inequality

Memphis, with its history as a major slave market, bore witness to Thanksgiving celebrations fraught with inequality and systemic injustices. Enslaved individuals faced severe limitations in expressing gratitude and gathering with loved ones. The ownership of property or the freedom to celebrate was marred by the specter of oppression.

The defeat of these inequalities was a protracted battle. The Civil War and subsequent Reconstruction era brought transformative changes, yet the fight against discrimination persisted. The slow march toward equality and justice paved the way for significant reforms, underscoring the progress made while acknowledging the ongoing work needed to achieve a more equitable society.

Fugitivism
Escaping Slavery in the Lower Mississippi Valley, 1820-1860 By: S. Charles Bolton Narrated by: Andrew L. Barnes Length: 11 hrs and 36 mins Unabridged Audiobook

Louisiana’s Plantations: Thanksgiving as a Tool for Reflection and Education

Louisiana’s plantations, now transformed into educational museums, serve as poignant reminders of the harsh realities faced by enslaved individuals during Thanksgiving and beyond. These sites facilitate crucial conversations about the legacy of slavery, offering a platform for reflection and education on racial injustice and historical accountability.

The defeat of ignorance and silence came through the acknowledgment of historical truths and the pursuit of comprehensive education. These museums, while not perfect, represent strides toward fostering understanding and dialogue critical for societal progress.

In today’s world, as we gather for Thanksgiving, it’s crucial to reflect on the complex history embedded in these regions. While the state of the union today isn’t without flaws, acknowledging and understanding the struggles faced by those in the past fosters gratitude for the progress made while inspiring continued efforts toward a more equitable and inclusive future.

This exploration aims to connect the historical traditions of Thanksgiving for slaves in each region to contemporary issues, emphasizing the resilience and struggles faced by enslaved individuals and highlighting the ongoing pursuit of justice and equity.

Fugitivism by S. Charles Bolton

by Andrew Barnes

Fugitivism: Escaping Slavery in the Lower Mississippi Valley, 1820-1860 By S. Charles Bolton

_{Estimated Length: 10.5 hours}
_{Project Budget: Royalty Share}
_{Word Count: 98000}
_{Language: English}
_{Distribution: Exclusive}
_{Territories: World}

Winner, 2020 Booker Worthen Literary Prize

During the antebellum years, over 750,000 enslaved people were taken to the Lower Mississippi Valley, where two-thirds of them were sold in the slave markets of New Orleans, Natchez, and Memphis. Those who ended up in Louisiana found themselves in an environment of swamplands, sugar plantations, French-speaking creoles, and the exotic metropolis of New Orleans. Those sold to planters in the newly-opened Mississippi Delta cleared land and cultivated cotton for owners who had moved west to get rich as quickly as possible, driving this labor force to harsh extremes.

Like enslaved people all over the South, those in the Lower Mississippi Valley left home at night for clandestine parties or religious meetings, sometimes “laying out” nearby for a few days or weeks. Some of them fled to New Orleans and other southern cities where they could find refuge in the subculture of slaves and free blacks living there, and a few attempted to live permanently free in the swamps and forests of the surrounding area. Fugitives also tried to return to eastern slave states to rejoin families from whom they had been separated. Some sought freedom on the northern side of the Ohio River; others fled to Mexico for the same purpose.

Fugitivism provides a wealth of new information taken from advertisements, newspaper accounts, and court records. It explains how escapees made use of steamboat transportation, how urban runaways differed from their rural counterparts, how enslaved people were victimized by slave stealers, how conflicts between black fugitives and the white people who tried to capture them encouraged a culture of violence in the South, and how runaway slaves from the Lower Mississippi Valley influenced the abolitionist movement in the North.

Readers will discover that along with an end to oppression, freedom-seeking slaves wanted the same opportunities afforded to most Americans.

New audiobook release coming November 2021!

The Book Break!

by Andrew Barnes

What is this series all about?

Gavin Stoutheart’s father the baron is missing, along with Gavin’s brother the heir. He must step up to lead his people as they flee before an invading army.

His only hope is that a combination of prohibited animal magic and his knack for strategy will keep them safe as they make their way through a fractured kingdom with an army on their tail.

Melissa interviews John M. Olsen, an editor for the publisher Immortal Works, and a fantasy author, in this week’s episode of The Book Break.

John has written countless short stories, and a three-book fantasy series, “Riland Throne.” The three books are “Crystal King,” “Crystal Queen,” and “Crystal Empire.” John is also a member of The League of Utah Writers and regularly teaches at conferences.

*This interview was pre-recorded before the COVID-19 outbreak.

John M. Olsen | The Book Break | Season 3 Episode 22

THE FANTASY TRILOGY IS HERE!

AVAILABLE NOW!

RAVE REVIEWS: Crystal Empire!

by Andrew Barnes

The Crystal Kingdom, now Empire

John M. Olsen maintains his world as he moves the characters forward. Through the other two books and Crystal Empire they all continue to grow and learn and change. He shows that through ingenuity, adverse circumstances can be faced and overcome with results that are helpful to all involved.

Crystal Empire brings more depth to the characters surrounding the king and queen. There are many more viewpoints as this part of the story unfolds. Many characters from the earlier volumes return to continue sharing from their perspectives. This brings more depth to them. New characters are introduced to add to the complexity of the story, as it should be during a time of war. The richness of this book comes from the variety of voices that tell their parts to bring the story to its climactic conclusion.

There is still more story of the Crystal Kingdoms, now Empire. Mr. Olsen has left us enough threads to see that the fabric of the story has not yet been completely unraveled. I do not know if he plans on continuing to tell stories in this setting. If he does they will be welcomed additions. If not, there is room for our personal imaginations to grab ahold of one of those threads and see where it leads us.

This is a wonderful conclusion that started with Crystal King when we are introduced to Garvin before he is even a baron, and his unpredictable rise (link to review). The story continued fluidly into Crystal Queen. In this book, we learn more about Lilia and what she had gone through in her life to be trained to be the heir apparent of the Graven kingdom (link to review).

The books are written for young adult readers. They are appropriate for any readers who may have concerns about the content of the story. There is enough intrigue to keep more experienced readers engaged and still be light enough to provide a relaxing read at the end of the day.
If you have enjoyed John M. Olsen’s other works or similar material from Immortal Works publishing you will enjoy this one.
Crystal Empire is published by Immortal Works.

About the Author (from the book)

Motivated by his lifelong love of reading, John M. Olsen writes about ordinary people doing extraordinary things and hopes to entertain and inspire others. His father’s library started him on this journey as a teenager, and he now owns and expands that library to pass his passion on to the next generation of avid readers.

He loves to create things, whether writing novels or short stories or working in his secret lab equipped with dangerous power tools. In all cases, he applies engineering principles and processes to the task at hand, often in unpredictable ways. He usually prefers “Renaissance Man” to “Mad Scientist” as a goal and aesthetic.

He lives in Utah with his lovely wife and a variable number of mostly grown children and a constantly changing subset of extended family.
You can join John’s musings at his blog: johnmolsen.blogspot.com.

LISTEN

Rave Reviews: The Christian Moral Life!

by Andrew Barnes

A Great Study For Seekers of the Truth in Morality

Let’s start off with a bit of information. This book, and therefore I assume John Rziha, is based on Catholicism. For the average “non-denominational” Christian this might be perceived to be a problem. It should not be. I found very little to object about and nothing in the realm of the moral philosophy this book is presenting to its readers. To say it another way, The Christian Moral Life is for everyone looking to improve themselves, their relationships, and all aspects of life.

This book is not a “story” to listen to. Some authors use stories to get there message across. This is not one of those. This is a study and should be treated as such. This would be great companion audio to the written textbook. It is very well-spoken and presented in a format to keep your interest and to help you understand the topic. But you should be prepared to put some thought into the words you are hearing. On that basis, this is not a background to listen while you are doing other work. Pay attention. You just might learn something.

Mr. Barnes does an excellent job presenting the material for your ears. Pauses in all the right places let you feel like you can see the text and the breaks in the subject that are built into the written word. Many narrators could learn something from the presentation of this book.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

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