St. Martin

Sa Ca Fe! Loosely translated means what's good?!

One of my favorite parts of writing is research, especially research that takes me to foreign countries. Since one of the main characters in Midnight Beacon is French Afro Caribbean, I spent the last week on the beautiful island of St. Martin. Not to be confused with St. Martin de Porres who is now known as the patron saint of racial harmony.

This mountainous island is rich with Afro-French-Caribbean, culture, cuisine, history, and linguistic nuance. So, while there I soaked it all up, along with a healthy dose of sun. I also got to see the Black Statue of Liberty, discovered that St. Martin's home to the delectable guavaberry, and learned the legend of One Tete Lohkay, a female freedom fighter.

A brave woman who refused to remain enslaved, Lohkay escaped. She was recaptured, brutally tortured, and her breast was cut off as a message to other would-be rebels. But this depravity did not break Lohkay. As soon as she was healed she ran again. This time achieving freedom, and like our own Black Moses, she returned several times to lead other enslaved people to their freedom.

It was an informative visit, and I think one of my biggest realizations had nothing to do with the book. It had to do with the impact that Covid is having on other

countries who don't offer their citizens the same safety nets that we, as Americans, presently enjoy.

If you have occasion to book a trip, please

consider the islands. They'll be grateful to have you.