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BlackPR.com Press Release Email This Article To A Friend Dred Scott, A Black Heroic Being A Public Domain Review by Evelyn Eaker Bookcover Many historians portray Dred Scott as a victim. But in his historical-fiction novella, Randy Clyde Hoyle portrays Dred Scott as more than a victim, but also a Black hero whose personal struggle for freedom caused a chain reaction that allowed Lincoln to become president and thus end slavery in the rebelling slave states (Lincoln did not do it alone). Hoyle also argues that Lincoln may have not become president without the Dred Scott decision. Little is known about Dred Scott's childhood, so the author creates a childhood for him. Portraying Dred Scott as a curious child, Scott questions the unnatural state of slavery at an early age, asking questions others are afraid to answer in fear of the lash. Randy Clyde Hoyle treats Dred Scott as a hero in the classical Greek sense. In Greek mythology the hero is usually bigger than life and is sponsored by some god or goddess. In Hoyle's novella, Dred Scott is sponsored by the universe itself. The universe, in the guise of the great creator, uses Dred as a champion to bring about an end to the unnatural state of slavery. Before Africans were exposed to the Christian belief (many by force), they had their own system of religious beliefs. They believed in spirits and goddesses of the jungle. They also believed in the old one and the great creator. Basically, they were pagans whose belief system was connected to nature. In this novella, Dred is re-introduced to those beliefs by Jed, an old slave who still believes in the old ways, and is believed to be crazy by the masters. Through Jed, Dred learns that he has a mission in life, as perhaps all of us do. Jed prepares Dred to fulfill that mission. THE BALLAD OF DRED SCOTT reminds us of the unjustness of slavery. It also reveals an endearing relationship between Dred Scott and Henry Blow as a child. Henry Blow would later in life support Dred in his battle for freedom (a historical fact). Randy uses historical fact to support his point of view of Dred Scott as a worthy hero, and fiction to weave his story. He tells us of little known historical facts, such as Abe Lincoln being struck on the head by a mare as a young boy, which some believe caused Lincoln to have seizures later in life. This is a story of how out of defeat, victory can still be obtained, reminiscent of the myth of the phoenix. THE BALLAD OF DRED SCOTT argues that we as individuals can change society, if we don't give up our dreams. I believe this could be an important work. After reading this book, a woman by the name of Pat Maben started a petition for a national day of recognition for Dred Scott. This book was recently accepted into Harvard University. Side notes: THE BALLAD OF DRED SCOTT, Dorrance Publishing, imprint RED LEAD PRESS. ISBN # 0-8059-8026-1 Contact Randy Hoyle by email at charliegorilla@yahoo.com. Ninty-two year old Evelyn Eaker has over sixty years writing experience. She currently works as a freelance editor. CONTACT: Randy Hoyle charliegorilla@yahoo.com

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