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
The photo this week is from Yours Truly. I snapped it in beautiful downtown Wilmington NC where I am this point in time. This is the Riverwalk by the Cape Fear River. The sidewalk is wooden. To the left are railings by the river. On the right is a fence. We see older buildings in the distance. On the left, further down the walkway is a street light. There are green trees to the right. A sunny hot day in North Carolina.
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Genre: Truthful Fiction
Word Count: 100
As it turns out, I’m in Wilmington NC this week, 😀 A recent story on CBS Sunday Morning caused me to dig deeper into this shameful piece of American history.
DISINFORMATION CAMPAIGN
In high school we weren’t taught about the Wilmington coupe, reported as a “race riot,” when white supremacists drove elected black city officials from their offices at gunpoint. Fine upstanding citizens were forced to flee and take refuge in a swamp.
My beautiful friend Shaliza and I were shocked when this history came to light.
I’m ashamed at the realization that my great-great-grandfather was one of the red shirts who very well could’ve gunned down Shaliza’s great-great-grandfather.
She and I embraced at a recent ceremony at Memorial Park
Could someone explain to me what makes white skin superior to brown?
*************
There’s so much to this story. CLICK for a longer video. Or do your own history dive.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
A very poignant story with a crucial question at the end. Thank you Rochelle for this byte of history.
Such atrocities have happened through ages without any rationale.
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Dear Geeta,
I suppose we’ll never get away from baseless hatred as long as humans populate the planet. Thank you for your sweet comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another ignominious chapter in your country’s history, m’lady.
I admire how you tell it so honestly.
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Dear C.E.
Thank you so much. I keep hoping for a better world. Sigh.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Medically, perhaps, we could describe white skin as “melanin deficient”
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Dear Neil,
“Melanin deficient.” I like it. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
It seems we both went down history lane this week.
A sad tale.
In general why does one think they are better than another?
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Dear Chioma,
This history breaks my heart. One can only imagine how things might’ve turned out if good people were left alone. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I remember being shocked to learn about the 1921 Tulsa attacks. Why doesn’t it surprise me that similar attacks have happened. White-skinned people aren’t called “white devils” for nothing. The shame the shame the shame we bear for what our ancestors visited upon the innocent 😦
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Dear Lisa,
I wonder how history might’ve played out if good people had been left alone? Thank you for stopping by and leaving your comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, I wonder also. You are very welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Dear Rochelle,
You never fail to offer us a learning moment in an enjoyable way – history must be remembered to stop it from repeating.
Shalom and lotsa truthful love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
There was so much more to be said had I had more than 100 words. I’m glad my ‘history lessons’ are appreciated. 😀 Thank you for reading and leaving a lovely comment.
Shalom and lotsa hugs,
Rochelle
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thank you for bringing this shameful piece of history to my attention Rochelle- I fear this type of incident happened in many countries and still goes on. I cannot fathom why anyone should consider themselves to be superior to anyone else and the lengths they will go to try to ‘prove’ it ❤️🩹
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Dear Ange,
I don’t understand baseless hatred. I feel for those descendents who feel the shame. As we watch the news we see that some things have goten better and some things seemingly never will.
Thank you so much for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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💖
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some folks around the world tend to discriminate. if it isn’t about the color of someone’s skin, they’ll find something else to judge, simply to assert a false sense of superiority.
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Dear Plaridel,
It’s been said here over and over…if only we could learn from our differences. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That was most interesting and dreadful too. So much shame in many countries… and almost just because skin colour is the problem, or at least had been. It must not be forgotten.
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Dear Chris,
It is a dreadful piece of history. It shouldn’t be forgotten. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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There is a lot of history behind your post this week. I enjoyed the research.
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Dear James,
The more you dig, the more you’ll learn. History can set one’s teeth on edge, can’t it? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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These sad times in history are so hard to comprehend. There is absolutely no rationale.
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Dear Fleur,
Putting it in perspective, these white bigots still saw the black people as their slaves. It’s tragic that their narrow minds could not expand to see them as humans. No, there’s no excuse. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I agree completely. Thank you ❤️
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Hola 😄
After I read your story, my heat ache a bit. I have experience some of the terrible things people can have with color. But, I think if we show our hearts and people see a person there can be more kindness.
You always make us aaware of so many historical issues from the past. I’m always learning from your posts. Thaks for hosting while vacationing. Hope you’re having great beach weather.
Abrazos y carino,
Izzy 😎
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Serves me right … I didn’t proofread my comment. UGH … should be – heart ached –
Oh … Annonymous is me Izzy LOLOL Ya’ just gotta love WordPress 😁
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Querida Anonymous Izzy 😉
I don’t know what’s up with WP but I”m glad you identified yourself.
I’m sorry for any discrimination you’ve experienced in your own life. Makes my heart ache as well.
Gracias for the read and comment.
Shalom, abrazos y carino,
Rochelle
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You ended on an unanswerable question – one that shouldn’t even be necessary.
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Dear Keith,
Sadly my question cannot be answered. You’re right. It shouldn’t be necessary. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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There’s no explanation because it’s not true. Yet another example of “Man’s inhumanity to man.” Thank you for bringing another awful truth to our attention, Rochelle.
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Dear Brenda,
This is actually the second time I’ve written about this horrible piece of history. It might not be the last. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You always get us thinking about the difficult and often uncomfortable situations, Rochelle. This time there is no answer to your question. Another exceptional piece.
Shalom
🕊️
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Dear Nancy,
No answer indeed. Thank you so much for your comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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An important story to share. We are all the same, humans are humans all. We forget that at our peril. A heartbreaking snapshot of history
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Dear Laurie,
I believe there’s really only one race…the human race. I can’t help wonder what our country would be like had white bigots not been given their way. Sigh. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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As a scifi writer I totally agree! As a person, I totally agree!
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I had not learned of this bit of history either, until your post. White skin is not superior to any other, it is just a shameful, cruel history that we do not want to reckon with. We used skin color to dehumanize a people to use them as a commodity and create an economy; it is about power. I recommend the book Caste, by Isabel Wilkerson if you have not read it yet. In it she compares the caste system of India with USA and Nazi Germany and questions the ideas of otherness and superiority.
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Dear Michele,
Ms. Wilkerson’s book sounds like one to read.
It does make me sad to see history being repeated. I believe there’s one race. The human race.
Thank you for your comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I think the grandfather gets too much credit here. It seems to me that he wasn’t so great, much less doubly so. As long as we perpetuate otherness based on whatever guidelines we choose to divide ourselves, we will be an uncivilized, divided people.
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