A Fiction Novel's Harrowing Look at Relationships Between White Slave-Owners and their Black Concubines

Besides American Oral Histories and a few documented stories on the American legacy of Slavery, mystery surrounds the actual nature of relationships between some White Masters and the Black Women they owned. We know there was a sizable "mulatto" population from children of white slave owners and slave women. Author Dolen Perkins-Valdez explores such relationships in her compelling debut novel Wench.

Wench tells the story of 4 slave women in 1951 who form a friendship while staying with their slave masters at a Ohio Resort name Tawana. Tawana was a real resort in history where many wealthy plantation owners would take their black slave concubines to get away from plantation life. Perkins-Valdez examines the dynamics of such relationships, which are depicted as abusive to varying degrees. As an avid history fan myself, the novel left me analyzing if genuinely caring relationships could have existed.

Wench does not give a clear answer. I certainly believe there must have been loving relationships that weren't depicted in this novel. Despite the power imbalance such relationships carried and the race/class politics of the times, many slave owners manumitted the slave women and children they fathered. Some even lived as a husband and wife after granting freedom. It would only be part of human nature to develop such emotional bonds under certain circumstances.

Wench is a brave and well researched effort with complex characters and realistic scenarios. It's a controversial and important topic in which many people don't like to delve into. This gap in history will never be filled. Regardless, this novel is one beautifully written, engaging and heartbreaking tale about conflicting human emotions and friendship under bondage.

Non-Profit Job Center Aids Immigrants Despite Town Protesters

I bought a condo in Jupiter, Fl 3 years ago. Every saturday while running local errands, I would notice the sight of local picketers holding up signs protesting just outside the town's El Sol Neighborhood Resource Center. The center primarily assists Hispanic immigrants in getting work; most of them are from Guatemala and undocumented. Clients regularly come to the center looking for workers to do jobs in their homes and small businesses. The jobs are usually in landscaping, painting and other handyman work.

Located in the high profile intersection of Military Trail and Indiantown Rd, El Sol is the only non-profit center in Palm Beach County to provide such services. Currently, there are around 100 volunteers and around 125 workers. The center stands next to the Police Department and Jupiter's Town Hall Center. The facility offers English education, sewing, computers, some legal counseling and recreational activities. Workers are also provided a small breakfast and lunch daily. Although a health clinic was recently closed, the center is currently working with local hospitals and local charities on a healthcare plan. Its funding comes from local businesses, churches and other charitable agencies.



El Sol was established in 2008. It was a solution for the increase in Jupiter migrants who went around town soliciting for work.

It is also a source of anger and indignation among some local citizens who have long argued the center hurts the chances of actual American citizens finding low-skill work. Others are concerned with paying taxes to support these immigrants; many who rely on bicycles for transportation. Many families are seen walking along Indiantown Rd for miles.


According to Attorney Jill Hanson, former president of El Sol, the center provides work to approximately 25-30% of workers on a daily basis. "We haven't seen the protesters since the recent election, there hasn't been any significant problems", says Hanson "maybe a few issues in regards to local police racial profiling". One of El-Sol's workers, Roberto, 39, came from Guatemala 8 years ago, leaving behind his immediate family. He has been finding work consistently at El Sol for the past 2 years, "It depends, sometimes I work 3 times a week and maybe even every day of the week, so it's working out for me thankfully" he says, "I don't see the protesters anymore, they never really bothered me. I think they got tired of standing out there."

DiPaolo, Bill (June 6, 2010). Documentary to Feature Jupiter's El Sol Center, Guatemalan Town. Retrieved from http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/documentary-to-feature-jupiters-el-sol-center-guatemalan-163032.html

(June 5, 2008). Sun Sentinel image "Marion Bonsignore holds her sign and the American flag in protest against illegal immigrants in front of the El Sol Center in Jupiter". http://doctorbulldog.wordpress.com/2008/01/12/protesters-in-jupiter-target-center-that-helps-immigrant-laborers/

Hiring Hall online. Image retrieved on 3-20-2011.  http://i.ytimg.com/vi/7GmYcrdcHJM/0.jpg  

Cancer Cases

This graph illustrates that chances of developing Cancer directly correlates with age in most instances. There is a slight increase of cancer cases from year 1999 until 2005 in the age range of 45-54. However, the most significant increase from Cancer cases in this time period is age bracket 55-64.



From the Google Chart Data sets I was able to also look at Cancer cases per type or site. The most prominent cases are Lung and Bronchus with a significant increase of 9.5% from year 1999 to 2005. Despite the spike of Prostate cancer cases in the early 2000s, cases have remained consistent in this time period. Colon Cancer remains a steady threat. Based on the data of both charts, the leaders in Cancer are Lung/Bronchus, Prostate, Breast and Colon. According to the American Cancer Society (cancer.org), the following is recommended:

Cervical Cancer - No later than 21
Mammograms - Age 40
Prostate Cancer - Age 45
Colorectal Cancer/Polyps and other tests that primarily find Cancer - Age 50

If you don't know it Google it!

I find it jarring that at this day and age many people don't know how useful the Google tool is. I've been under the impression that this was common knowledge. The "Google IS your best friend!" cliche proves to be true. This search engine has become my go-to most trusted source when it comes to ANYTHING inquisitive minds of an "urbane nature" would like to know. As ridiculous and pathetically unfortunate as it may sound, Google is more reliable than any living being on the planet. 

I saw a Facebook post from a Novel author stating there was article about the novel in the Washington Post. She urged her followers to get the paper without taking to consideration that the same article could be electronically found online through my best friend. I typed the key words of her name in quotation marks on the search bar of Google, clicked on news, sorted by date and VOILA! I was able to share the article on her FB page. 

When I come to think of it, I don't remember the last time I got the paper. The effectiveness of this miracle engine is so satisfying that it will lead you to believe you're succeeding at everything in life. Ok, I'm exaggerating but just try it and click here. :-)