“The world was a different place when I was turned. For all I knew, it was never going to change. I would have rather died than spend the rest of existence as someone’s property.” ~ Jacob, Family Matters

“Did you know they all cheered with every single lash? My punishment was very entertaining, apparently. I guess it’s a good thing they didn’t hang me. The show would’ve been over much quicker.” ~ Jacob, Scars from the Past (a Family Matters bonus story)

Today I was thinking about my fictional character, who was partially inspired by a very real person.

While his past as a slave isn’t a primary focus of the series, it is something that I wanted to acknowledge. And while he is, perhaps oddly enough, one of the most well-adjusted characters overall, he is still occasionally affected by his past trauma, as evidenced by the fact that after two centuries, he still cringes whenever his partner touches his scarred back.

I was thinking about this because there are those who would say that slaves didn’t have it all that bad. There are also those who would rather erase that time in our history altogether. And that, friends, is all the bullshit.

Anyway, I have to be up in six hours. Have a great day, and a fantastic Black History Month. And always remember what they want you to forget.