Compassion (Page 2)

Welcome to the Louisiana Territory in 1793, where Bertram and Jonelle Tassin have newly arrived from France. People of strong personal values, the Tassins are also especially fair people. They don’t wish to be considered squatters by their new neighbors. Thus, they purchase a portion of the valley settled long ago by the then-named Loos Loos Indians. Their intention is to share all future commercial profits with the Indians. In a few brief years Tassin Valley grows to 3,000 acres that includes Bertram and Jonelle’s mansion and a general store.

Twenty years later, slaves arrive in the Tassin Valley through the transatlantic slave trade. A decade later, 130 French settlers, 35 African slaves, and 15 mixed-race Free People of Color live there.

The French uphold a Code Noir standard of treatment for slaves and free people of color. Slaves marry and children cannot be separated from parents. Further, owners re required to teach slaves the concepts of the Catholic Church. This offered a premise that slaves were human beings with souls. However, as time moved on, individual interpretations by white owners diluted the Code’s original intention.

The Code turns murkier when the arrival of the next generation of slave and mixed-race children. This generation of children possess increased mixed heritage and systemic racism ensues.

The story opens in Paris in 1853.Spoiled and irresponsible, twenty-three-year-old Emile Bourdon is the only son of a popular woodworker and carpenter. He is uninterested in work and irresponsible in his love of romance. Bounties on his head are increasing.

Emile’s parents decide to send him to America, to survive and hopefully become more responsible. But his father must provide a recommendation to approve his son’s passage. He seeks a letter from his friend, Napoleon III, Emile’s godfather. Napoleon observes that his friend has raised “quite the disgusting character” and notes that Emile must marry. With no work background, Emile must present himself as a family man and potentially useful citizen.

Napoleon searches for Emile’s future wife and eventually finds Clotilde. She’s a beautiful daughter of parents desperate to end Clotilde’s “disgraceful” relationship with Francisco. In time, Clotilde, with resignation and no other choice, marries Emile. During their long voyage to America, Clotilde gives birth to a daughter. Easily, though, she gives the child over to the care of others. When the ship finally comes in view of Louisiana, she quietly slips into the water, presumably to swim to freedom.

Betrayal on the Bayou‘s cover shows a gorgeous scene of water, grasses, and sunshine reflections on leafy trees. It is all so real you can almost hear the heat bugs buzzing. Yet, looking closer, we see silent, dark shadows. Inside, Sheryl J. Bize-Boutte has crafted chapters with the same rich depth and detail that tell a trifecta story. First, of three generations of Tassin Valley inhabitants. Next, the opening and growth of trade and commerce in the valley. Plus, the intersection of Emile Bourdon’s rivalry with Marie Tassin, the founding couple’s daughter and Valley overseer. Within these stories, we see how the first tender roots of systemic racism take hold.

This is a book to read, re-read, take into your heart, and always remember. If we hope to effectively become part of the healing process, it is importantt we understand this history of systemic racism.

I treasure Bize-Boutte’s debut novel and highly recommend it to all readers seeking to educate themselves. And to help heal the multi-century horrendous abuse of our fellow brothers and sisters of color.

Pushcart Prize nominee Sheryl J. Bize-Boutte is an Oakland writer. Her autobiographical, fictional short stories, and lyrical poetry artfully convey deeper meanings of politics of race and economics. Her work is “rich in vivid imagery, incredible, and great contributions to literature.” Bize-Boutte published her first novel, “Betrayal on the Bayou,” in June 2020. She and her daughter published their book, “No Poetry No Peace,” in August 2020. Also, she is a popular literary reader, presenter, curator and emcee for local events.

This revised review was first published on the award-winning storycircle.org Book Review site for women authors on 09.07.2020.