Reflections on Black History Month: Compelling Stories That Must Be Told

February is Black History Month—a time to reflect, learn, and honor the profound contributions Black Americans have made to our nation’s history. For me, it’s also a time to look critically at the complex and often painful chapters of our past, particularly those I have explored in my historical fiction novels. Two of my books, Veil of Doubt and The Grays of Truth, are set in the years following the Civil War during the South’s turbulent Reconstruction era. One of my current projects, Storms of Rage, takes place decades later during Jim Crow, this novel grapples with many of the same unresolved issues of race, justice, and humanity. 
  
Writing about these periods is both a privilege and a profound responsibility. As an author of historical fiction, my goal is to craft narratives that are honest and deeply human. When I delve into the history of race in America, I confront a stark reality: these stories are complex and difficult to tell. They are rife with injustice, suffering, and heartbreak. For me, it is less about the history, and more about the experience. Not only do I want to educate my readers but I want them to feel the same emotions of those living at the time. And therein lies the real challenge.
  
Storms of Rage centers on a lynching in the South and the subsequent prosecution of the men responsible for the crime. It’s a harrowing tale, rooted in real events in Loudoun County, Virginia and reflective of a legal system that too often failed to deliver justice for Black Americans.

As I immerse myself in research and writing, I find that I am constantly grappling with questions of balance. How do I convey the gravity of these events without sensationalizing them? How do I honor the victim’s humanity while addressing the systemic failures that allowed such atrocities to occur? How do I approach these truths in a way that resonates with today’s readers while respecting the historical context? And perhaps most challenging, how could I possibly understand the emotions surrounding such a horrendous event and put those emotions into words?
  
I am incredibly fortunate to have a team of experts, editors, and historians guiding me through this journey. Their insights have been invaluable, helping me to navigate the nuances of language, culture, and historical accuracy. But ultimately, the weight of the story rests on my shoulders. It’s a heavy responsibility, and one I do not take lightly. 
  
Black History Month reminds us that history is not just a collection of dates and events—it’s a tapestry woven with the lives, struggles, and triumphs of real people. In writing Storms of Rage, I hope to contribute a thread to that tapestry, one that prompts reflection and dialogue about the legacy of racism in our country.
  
As readers, I encourage you to take this month as an opportunity to explore the rich and multifaceted history of Black Americans. Seek out stories that challenge you, inspire you, and expand your understanding of our shared past. And as always, thank you for joining me on this journey of uncovering the truths—both beautiful and brutal—that have shaped our nation.