Saskatchewan Author Honours Black Loyalist Roots With New Novel

MOOSE JAW, Saskatchewan - Sept. 28, 2024 - PRLog -- "Black history is history. Canadian. American.  My history."  Those were Saskatchewan author, Misty Rae's words when asked about her inspiration for her debut novel, I Ran So You Could Fly (The Paris O'Ree Story).

A mixed-race woman, Rae is the product of a Black father and a white mother.  She's been able to trace her family tree directly to the Santee, South Carolina rice plantation upon which they were enslaved, and in particular, one ancestor of note, Paris O'Ree, her 6th great grandfather.

Paris and his family were owned by Col. Elias Horry known as Elias the Younger) during the American colonial period. He ran away at 15, taking the British Army up on their promise of freedom and changing the course of history, particularly for his descendants.

"I became fascinated by his bravery," Rae explained, "15.  Imagine being 15 and making that kind of choice, the bravery it must have taken, how scared he had to have been."

The novel, some two years in the making, is her homage to Paris, who is listed in the Carleton Papers as, "Paris, 19, stout lad."

"Without him, I wouldn't be here," she said. "You never would have had Willie O'Ree, the first Black NHL player."  O'Ree is a distant cousin to Rae, although she has never met him.

Her novel is a work of historical fiction.

"It's his life as I imagine it.  The basic facts, the plantation, the owners, the dates and the destinations are all real, but the situations aren't.  Neither are some of the people Paris meets on the way. There just aren't enough records to write a factual biography."

The story follows the main character,  who tells his story by his own hand, from his birth in 1764 to 1812 and gives the reader an emotionally charged glimpse into not only the brutal realities of chattel slavery but also the strength, determination and fortitude found in the enslaved people.  It demonstrates the prejudices and challenges Black Loyalists faced, even after being granted freedom. Yet somehow, these harsh realities are balanced with faith, joy and even humour.

When asked what her goal was in writing Paris' story, Rae smiled, "I wanted to pay respect to the very literal reason I'm here today. It's a fascinating story.  I'd also like to go to Santee, South Carolina and buy the plantation that my family broke their backs to build.  I figure it should go back to its rightful owners."

Rae is a popular Medium and Vocal Media writer who has won several awards for her work. I Ran So You Could Fly (The Paris O'Ree Story) is published by Paint & Pen Media Group and is available on Amazon and the Chapters/Indigo website.