Ciara+P.+-+Historical+Fiction+Character

toc

Colonial Life
Brima Kinte My name is Brima Kinte. My life was destroyed. There is nothing I can do about that now but put one foot in front of the other and keep planting those tobacco seeds. Each day I wonder how I could have made this better, how I could have stopped it, but in the end, it was inevitable. I’ll start at the beginning.

One early spring morning at the end of April my small family of four – my brother Kadi, my mother Binta, and my father Omoro and I – walked out of our small west African home where we lived in Morocco into the refreshing air. It was a gorgeous day. The juxtaposition of the laurel trees and the brilliant blue sky was breathtaking. The birds sang from their spots on the trees. Then there was a strange scuffling sound and the next thing I knew, they were upon us like bees to honey. There was nothing we could do but let those sorry excuses for human beings force us onto their ship.

It was months before we saw land again and those months were excruciating. At times I wished that the sea would take me away so I wouldn’t have to deal with it anymore. Bodies pressed all around me and the ship stank of urine. The dying and sick cried out in agony and if they were lucky, they died quickly. My father got very sick, so sick that we thought his life would be taken by malaria, yet he survived against the towering odds.

When we finally got off that wretched boat we were faced with a dilemma worse than the last. My family was to be taken to an auction in Jamestown, Virginia where we would be bought by a farm or plantation owner and most likely be split apart, never seeing each other again. The auction is muddled in my mind, but I do know that it was very loud and that when I left the building, it was only with my brother and no one else I knew. We had been bought by one of the smaller plantations that couldn’t afford my parents. I would most likely never see them again. I hadn’t even been allowed to say goodbye.

After two hours, we arrived at the plantation where we had been directed to begin farming straight away. It was a simple task for our owners to explain, but back breaking work to perform. I curse tobacco to this day. My dark skin became even darker, and my muscles were always sore. We ate tasteless mashed corn and if we were lucky, an apple. I tried to stay strong for my brother; he needed me to be his older sister. He was the last important thing I had to cling to. I could no longer depend on my parents to keep me safe or make sure I was fed, I had to take care of myself and life was only going to get harder. TO BE CONTINUED.

Revolution
**Source:** · Wash, Lorena S.. "New Findings About the Virgina Slave Trade." //Colonial Williamsburg//. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Nov. 2010. . **Topic: African Americans and the War** · Slaves were still imported to Virginia during the War. o Exposition **Source:** · Hart, Diane, and Bert Bower. //History Alive!//: //the United States through Industrialism.// Palo Alto, Calif.: Teachers’ Curriculum Institute, 2011. **Topic: African Americans and the War** · “For African Americans… the Declaration of Independence raised both hopes and questions. Would independence bring an end to slavery? Should they join the Revolution?” (Hart 90) o Rising Action · “Washington did not want the army to become a haven for runaway slaves.” o Rising Action · “… The British promised freedom to all slaves who took arms for the king. As a result, thousands of runaways became Loyalists and fought for Britain” (Hart 90). o Climax · “… Whites began to question their own beliefs. How could they accept slavery if they truly believed that all people are created equal…” (Hart 90). o Falling Action · “A shortage of volunteers soon forced Washington to change his mind” (Hart 90). o Dénouement

Outline (Social) I. Exposition – Diary Entry 1 (June 28th 1776) a. Edit other HFE slightly so that it can be this entry II. Rising Action – Diary Entry 2 (July 4th 1776) a. Declaration of Independence is passed b. Brima wonders if this means that she has the same rights as everyone else… c. Nothing changes at the plantation III. Climax – Diary Entry 3 (September 9th 1776) a. After being promised freedom by the British, Brima and her brother escape to fight for the British i. In the past b. She has been taking care of the soldiers when they get hurt with the help of her brother. IV. Falling Action – Diary Entry 4 (January 8th 1779) a. The people in the colonies are questioning slavery. b. George Washington decides to allow runaway slaves to fight in his army V. Dénouement – Diary Entry 5 (April 15th 1779) a. Brima and her brother switch sides


 * Story Theme: I want the reader to know how the American Revolution affected slaves and that many decided to join the war to gain their own freedom, so my entries have to do with social impacts.**