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The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
CLICK to JOIN!Before continuing I have to share my happy news. My novel “Last Dance with Annie” is now under contract with literary agent Diane Nine! www.ninespeakers.com
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
COUP D’ETAT 1898
Easter and me’s both six years old. Her daddy owns a shoe shop in Wilmington. He made my Sunday shoes. He’s really nice.
Easter’s funny and she draws real good. Her skin is pretty. It’s as brown as chocolate so she don’t get sunburns like me.
Day before yesterday, Easter’s daddy went to vote in the ‘lection. Someone said white men in red shirts shot him in the street. Easter cried and cried. I cried, too.
Easter, her mama and lotsa other black folks moved away sudden like. I don’t understand why people are so mean. I miss my friend.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Hard to ‘Like’ a story like that but, as usual, well told. 🙂
Why can’t we all just get along?? ‘Cause some people are very insecure. For them to believe that they are “on top” they have force others beneath them. 👿
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Dear Arcon,
I’ve often quoted Mr. King. Why can’t we appreciate each other’s differences and be like children? Thank you for your comments re my story. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
First off – woot!!
As for your story, I love the voice. Children are way ahead of the game, aren’t they? Heartbreaking story.
Shalom and Lotsa non-racist love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
What are you doing up? No worries. Yeah…I’m over the moon right now…although groggy as I write.
Children have a unique love language which changes when they’re taught to hate. Thank you for reading and leaving sweet comments.
Shalom and lotsa accepting hugs,
Rochelle
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Let me assure you it was quite involuntary…
Was a sort of good thing as I realised I had forgotten WW!
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😀
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Oddly enough for a non-American, I did know about this massacre. It’s all the more chilling seen through the eyes of a chlld. That’s wonderful news about the signing, Rochelle
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Dear Neil,
You were ahead of me on this one. I just learned of it on my recent trip to Wilmington. Children see things simply, don’t they? We could learn from them. As for the signing…I’m over the moon. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another tragic tale, beautifully told.
It’s the same old song, sadly, and not an isolated incident.
I just read Grisham’s Sycamore Row, the sequel to A Time to Kill, and I despair.
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PS Congratulations on your latest triumph, m’lady
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Dear CE,
I hear the line to the song…”When will they ever learn? When will they ever learn?” And when will we? Thank you re my story and re my book. I have high hopes since a publisher has already voiced an interest. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sadly the world is scarred with such evil events. Evil needs outing, and writing about it, is a great start. Well done.
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Dear Michael,
They say the pen is mightier than the sword. What a pity more people don’t adhere to that principle. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such an awful story (what really happened, not your take on it). It is also interesting (in a very sick way) that those responsible for the violence are also the same ones who created Jim Crow and deepened the racism that still reverberates to this day. There have been some evil people in our country’s history, but few as evil as the “secret nine” and their followers. Great take on it, and again, it’s great that you use your stories to raise awareness.
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Dear Trent,
It is an awful story. Thank you for a high compliment with your comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A lovely child’s eye view of a terrible situation, so a fitting remembrance, Rochelle. Well done. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
Children see things so clearly, don’ they? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful telling of an unfortunate story Rochelle. And congratulations on the signing. How exciting 🙂
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Dear Joy,
Thank you on both counts. I’m pretty excited. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a story. Well done through the innocent eyes of a child. The links were really educational. Particularly concerning the Democrats vs Republican views. I knew nothing of this particular history. Good job.
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Dear Jan,
It seems the world has changed yet remained the same. Thank you m’luv. ❤
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First, many congrats on your book! You must be doing the happy dance all over the place 🙂
You story is so powerful, told from the viewpoint of children who had not yet learned to hate.
Sometimes I can only shake my head at the ongoing saga of man’s inhumanity to man. Tit for tat has never been a very good alternative.
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Dear Linda,
Happy dance indeed. 😀 Thank you.
What a pity we can’t maintain that childlike innocence. Shaking my head next to yours.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautifully crafted story, Rochelle. If only people can see others the way a child does. I love the MC’s description of her friend, Easter. If only people would see the person and not the color/race. Thanks for sharing a tragic chapter in History. Shalom.
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Dear Adele,
What a pity children are taught who to hate. Thank you for your lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes, it is a pity when adults teach children to hate. Adults can learn so much from them. You’re welcome 🙂
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Very convincing voice. And a moving story. So happy for your good news too.
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Dear Sandra,
Sometimes a child’s voice is the one we need to hear. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle,
I loved your choice of point of view, the simple diction, the unadulterated diction. Seeing evil through the innocent eyes of children is all the more sickening and revealing. Racism and countless other evils committed daily will never leave the human heart. But that’s no excuse for fighting against it, individually and corporately, if only for our children’s future.
Congratulations on your contract 🎉 and best wishes for your novel’s success!
Shalom,
Dora
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Dear Dora,
What a wonderful comment/compliment. It warms me on a chilly wet morning. Thank you re my story and my contract. I’m blessed to have one of the best agents in the business.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I don’t understand why people ever were and are STILL so mean. Good story.
Shalom,
Ronda
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Dear Ronda,
I don’t understand mean people either. I certainly don’t understand killing for the color of a person’s skin. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Super news about the agent. Great story, too. Thanks for all you do!
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Dear Josh,
Yeah, still doing cartwheels and sporting a cheesy grin. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well done on your book front – I’m only a teensy bit jealous!
And another story that leads me to read a slice of history.
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Dear Liz,
It’s a step in the right direction. A publisher did voice an interest in the book after watching my interview, so Diane and I are in hopes she’ll still be interested in it when she reads the manuscript.
Always happy to share history. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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And children should be the leaders, at least in humanity.
How sad. And this is a history many wish to not know about.
Thank you for telling it.
Left my (much less serious) bit on the linky.
Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah,
I didn’t know about this history until recently when I was in Wilmington. Seems the details were altered and the rest swept under the historical rug. Agreed on children. 🙂 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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history was often altered and the rest swept under the rug … Alas, we see it in action these very days, though fortunately there are many who are rising to protect against it. Children and adults, alike.
So important to speak truth to power!
Na’ama
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Congratulations on your book! My current project is prepping a synopsis and query letter for one of my books. Selling myself is really hard for me.
Human beings have a natural disdain and fear of anything different. The fact that children don’t fear or disdain people of varying skin colors should be enough to tell us we’re not that different. Instead, prejudices and fear are taught, passed down through generations. It’s obviously challenging to break free of those learned prejudices. It’s a reflection of humanity’s weaknesses and failings. It’s heartbreaking. Well told from the perfect POV.
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Dear Nobbin,
It is very difficult to break free of prejudices. They are sometimes automatic thoughts that come from nowhere.
The toughest part of publishing for the author (at least the way I see it) is self-promotion. Synopses are a challenge and I admit I had some help with mine. My advice is keep it present tense and avoid the passives. All the best.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A tragic event and even more moving when seen through the eyes of a child.
May I join with the others in congratulating you on the contract!
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Dear Keith,
It’s hard for children to understand such violence. Too bad it’s not as difficult for some adults.
And you may certainly join the congrats. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A very sad story, and in some ways I wonder if this still happens today. xxx
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Dear Claire,
Sadly, hatred marches merrily on. 😦 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story, Rochelle. I clicked on to read about the Wilmington Insurrection. Apparently the only incident where people overthrew the local government. Considering the people now, who are marching into local capital buildings while armed, and now others shooting protestors in the streets, well, I wonder if we’re not looking at a repeat. Way to keep us all informed about history catching up to us.
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Dear Eric,
This is a history I shudder to see repeat itself. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s a beautiful rendering of a horrific incident, through the eyes of an innocent child. 💟 A pleasure to read.
If only we (humans) could show our superiority in living together in harmony, instead of discriminating & oppressing others.
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Dear Priya,
I quite agree with you. There are so many things to learn and appreciate about people of different colors and nationalities. When will we learn? We need children to lead us. 😉 Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes, we do. ☺️ They have such an unbiased world view, that it often makes us take a look at our unintentional bias and judgements.
And I hope all of us start to take the effort to live harmony, before it’s too late.
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Congratulations on the novel news Rochelle, well deserved I’m sure. Another sad chapter in history, and the looming election in America seems it will inevitably become just as divisive. Can only hope it won’t end in violence, but I would not be surprised.
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Dear Iain,
I fear this election has a no win outcome. 😦 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is chilling… with stories like this, it’s hard for me to see the confederate flag as anything but racist… Congratulations…
I love the sweet voice of the child.
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Dear Björn,
I know what you mean. Thank you on both counts. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, Your story distills the reality of Wilmington, NC historical event perfectly. I followed the link and read quite a bit of the info. I shake my head in disbelief, rage, and sorrow at the depraved and malicious actions of humans upon each other. I went out for a bike ride on a road I don’t usually take last week and was appalled by some of the political decorations in support of the orange one. I even saw a sign for him in brown, which triggered the memory of brownshirts. We need to nip this madness in the bud and soon.
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Dear Lisa,
A lot of thins in this day and age make me shake my head in disbelief. 😦 Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, you are welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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p.s. Congratulations on the book!!!!!
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Thank you, LIsa. 😀 (turning cartwheels)
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Congratulations on the good news about your book.
You picked an important topic as your story, and you did it justice. You gave it great power by using the children’s reactions to the shooting.
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Dear Penny,
Thank you for your affirming comments on my story. Sometimes a child is the best person to tell it. 😉
As for the book, I’m grinning all over. Thank you. Hoping for the right publisher soon.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Congratulations on the novel!
This story was powerful.
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Thank you on both counts, Joshua.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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a delicate story told using the voice of a child. well done. congrats on the book. 🙂
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Thank you twice, Plaridel.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you again, Rochelle.
Another lesson in history for me. There are so many on that subject, it can be overwhelmingly disheartening.
The POV telling was excellent and the context spot-on.
And congrats to you on the good news. Well done, all around.
Peace,
Bill
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Dear Bill,
Thank you all around. 😀 I’m smiling all over.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow! properly tragic, I’ve never heard of the Red Shirts once again Rochelle I have come to you for my weekly dose of Historical facts, really well written as usual.
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Dear Shrawley,
Thank you for such high praise.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Your story sent chills through my heart, Rochelle. I grew up in South Carolina in the ’60’s and know all to well how hard the hearts of men can be. I was scolded by my grandmother for inviting my black girlfriend over to play. I was eight years old. It wasn’t proper, I was told. Deep sigh. If we could all just see each other through the eyes of children. ♥♥♥
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Dear Sue,
How sad for you. I can’t think of anything more proper. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a heartbreaking and timely story. Voter suppression is such an important issue. How easy it is to forget how hard we have fought and need to continue to fight for this.
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Dear Anne,
Thank you for such affirming comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Of course the child, in her innocence, doesn’t understand. To be honest, neither do I. Such fear leading to such hate. Nicely told.
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Dear Ali,
I don’t understand either. And I don’t want to. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sad whenever we come across such stories. Sadly, they are real…
Skin colour gets us killed. What sort of a world do we live in? 😦
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Dear Anita,
We live in a crazy world, don’t we?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Congratulations Rochelle! Fabulous news. 🥰
As to this tale.. Oh it makes my heart hurt that times just haven’t seen to have changed that much. Beautifully written as always!
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Dear Laurie,
I hate it that people can’t accept and appreciate people for who they are.
Thank you re my story and my book. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Mind-numbingly sad and shameful piece of history. I love the way the story’s told from a child’s point of view. Children are not fussed by color of skin or ethnicity or anything else. They are taught to care about those things. An important lesson to learn. This was brilliantly written, Rochelle.
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Dear Brenda,
Children see things so clearly. Too bad the waters muddy as they grow up. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Gads! I read this days ago and didn’t comment. Bad on me. So sad that children get caught up in the hatred of adults. I don’t think children see skin color. They must be taught. Well done.
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Dear Lish,
From generation to generation. Values and prejudices are taught. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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We are born innocent and free of hatred. liked how the innocent views of a child were framed in the backdrop of racism and bigotry and not that far back in the past when you think about it. Nicely done.
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Dear Subroto,
It doesn’t seem we’ve learned much in a little over 100 years, does it? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Powerful images: well done.
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Thank you, Rob.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such innocence … love the POV. You sure know how to pull on the heartstrings, Rochelle.
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Dear Mags,
Sometimes we need a child to set us straight, don’t we? Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Indeed we do!
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