Some combination of OSX and Google (Chrome) has decided to make it impossible for me to read this piece on my ancient laptop here in drafty San Francisco, CB, where we will later this morning board the floating hotel in which we will cruise to Alaska and back, but I look forward to reading it when modern technology permits. It seems to me that we often work similar veins. Oh, and thanks very much for recommending my work. And if you want me to do a little promotional video for your 'Stack, you need only ask.
Your trip sounds fun! Earlier this year I looked into seasonal work in Ketchikan where I’d be giving tours to the tour boat people! I’m looking for a lifestyle change of summers in Alaska and winters in Thailand. I wish I’d gone for it, going broke trying to be a realtor in Mendo these days.
Thanks, John, much appreciated. I do know the piece was too long for email and is best seen on the Ruminato site, but other than that I don't know what the issue might be.
I hope you enjoy the cruise. That sounds fantastic.
“The Colonial Rebellion”. It reminds me that the winners write the history books. What we learned as being called the French and Indian Wars, English speaking Canada and Europeans know as the Seven Years War fought on both the European continent and rival colonies in North America. Last year while in Quebec City, I asked a native French Canadian speaking employee of Parks Canada what the decedents of France North America called the war (which they came out the losers). Looking around not to be overheard by any fellow employees or supervisors, he responded “The War of Conquest”.
So true. That's exactly the type of phrase that would have been used.
When I wrote Restive Souls, which is the genesis for all this, I did a lot of research. The Colonials were truly on the ropes when Washington took Trenton (made famous by the Delaware crossing).
Service time for many American troops was expiring. They had few provisions. Washington had recently been routed from New York. Things looked grim. He needed a victory, any victory, to keep hope alive. In Restive Souls, he doesn't get it. He's captured instead.
Would the Brits really have emancipated the slaves? Doubtful, but they did promise, through Lord Dunmore's Proclamation, manumission to any slave who fought for the Brits. Some historians insist that the proclamation angered Colonials who were not particularly interested in the war, which had about a 50/50 approval rating or something like that (the precise number eludes me). The proclamation turned sentiment solidly in favor of revolution. It could be argued that the Revolutionary War was America's first civil war over slavery.
I find your alternate universe very much fascinating. Justice, love and grace, and I assume peace and might I add, I could use a better tan that doesn’t fade quickly. Beam me up, Scotty.
This reminds me of the Star Trek episode “Mirror, Mirror”, except as a way of helping white people see a bit into what it’s like to be surrounded by majority non-whites where in many places we are the majority. Before I get flamed, I don’t mean to suggest the Barbadian alternate Star Trek universe is how a non-white universe would operate, just that it’s an analogy that occurred to me when I read this. Personally, I want to be transported to Wakanda.
Thanks. It is very possible I was influenced by that since I saw all the Star Trek episodes as a kid. I don't remember it specifically, but stuff rubs off on us through time. I'm curious enough to check it out and add it to my streaming queue. I probably saw it way back in the 1960s!
The novella I speak of is a very Wakanda-like world in many ways, except that it's set in North America, and doesn't have royalty. Thanks again!
Alternate world Spock had a van dyke beard if that helps refresh your memory and they wore embroidered sashes and scimitar type swords. People rose through the ranks through treachery. Think Medici’s with Star Trek but no church. Let me know what you think after you watch it.
I remember it now, but not well enough to comment on it. I checked it out on Wikipedia after I replied. I remember it being one of my favorites, but again, I was a kid. They did something similar on Star Trek Discovery. Michelle Yeoh was really good in that series of episodes. I love that kind of stuff (alternative universes).
Some combination of OSX and Google (Chrome) has decided to make it impossible for me to read this piece on my ancient laptop here in drafty San Francisco, CB, where we will later this morning board the floating hotel in which we will cruise to Alaska and back, but I look forward to reading it when modern technology permits. It seems to me that we often work similar veins. Oh, and thanks very much for recommending my work. And if you want me to do a little promotional video for your 'Stack, you need only ask.
Your trip sounds fun! Earlier this year I looked into seasonal work in Ketchikan where I’d be giving tours to the tour boat people! I’m looking for a lifestyle change of summers in Alaska and winters in Thailand. I wish I’d gone for it, going broke trying to be a realtor in Mendo these days.
Thanks, John, much appreciated. I do know the piece was too long for email and is best seen on the Ruminato site, but other than that I don't know what the issue might be.
I hope you enjoy the cruise. That sounds fantastic.
That was a fun read! I love alternative histories. I especially like them when there’s no cops!! Nicely done🙂
" I especially like them when there’s no cops!!"
Lol! Thanks!
“The Colonial Rebellion”. It reminds me that the winners write the history books. What we learned as being called the French and Indian Wars, English speaking Canada and Europeans know as the Seven Years War fought on both the European continent and rival colonies in North America. Last year while in Quebec City, I asked a native French Canadian speaking employee of Parks Canada what the decedents of France North America called the war (which they came out the losers). Looking around not to be overheard by any fellow employees or supervisors, he responded “The War of Conquest”.
So true. That's exactly the type of phrase that would have been used.
When I wrote Restive Souls, which is the genesis for all this, I did a lot of research. The Colonials were truly on the ropes when Washington took Trenton (made famous by the Delaware crossing).
Service time for many American troops was expiring. They had few provisions. Washington had recently been routed from New York. Things looked grim. He needed a victory, any victory, to keep hope alive. In Restive Souls, he doesn't get it. He's captured instead.
Would the Brits really have emancipated the slaves? Doubtful, but they did promise, through Lord Dunmore's Proclamation, manumission to any slave who fought for the Brits. Some historians insist that the proclamation angered Colonials who were not particularly interested in the war, which had about a 50/50 approval rating or something like that (the precise number eludes me). The proclamation turned sentiment solidly in favor of revolution. It could be argued that the Revolutionary War was America's first civil war over slavery.
I find your alternate universe very much fascinating. Justice, love and grace, and I assume peace and might I add, I could use a better tan that doesn’t fade quickly. Beam me up, Scotty.
Yeah, I don't get the whole "white" superiority thing. My mottled skin is not superior. Not in the least, lol.
Brilliant story Charles! Definitely leaves me wanting more, a real page turner!
Thank you so much! I appreciate you taking the time to read the long read.
This reminds me of the Star Trek episode “Mirror, Mirror”, except as a way of helping white people see a bit into what it’s like to be surrounded by majority non-whites where in many places we are the majority. Before I get flamed, I don’t mean to suggest the Barbadian alternate Star Trek universe is how a non-white universe would operate, just that it’s an analogy that occurred to me when I read this. Personally, I want to be transported to Wakanda.
Thanks. It is very possible I was influenced by that since I saw all the Star Trek episodes as a kid. I don't remember it specifically, but stuff rubs off on us through time. I'm curious enough to check it out and add it to my streaming queue. I probably saw it way back in the 1960s!
The novella I speak of is a very Wakanda-like world in many ways, except that it's set in North America, and doesn't have royalty. Thanks again!
Alternate world Spock had a van dyke beard if that helps refresh your memory and they wore embroidered sashes and scimitar type swords. People rose through the ranks through treachery. Think Medici’s with Star Trek but no church. Let me know what you think after you watch it.
I remember it now, but not well enough to comment on it. I checked it out on Wikipedia after I replied. I remember it being one of my favorites, but again, I was a kid. They did something similar on Star Trek Discovery. Michelle Yeoh was really good in that series of episodes. I love that kind of stuff (alternative universes).