INSPIRING INDIVIDUAL
Weston Author Releases Book About Historic Fireburn BY STACEY BOMSER
A
ngela Golden Bryan has lived in Weston for the past 20 years but remains deeply connected to her roots in St. Croix. Although one of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Croix’s rich history is unknown by most Americans. That may be changing with the release of Bryan’s book, Fireburn The Screenplay: A story of passion ignited, based on the history of St. Croix. It tells the story of the brave islanders who fought against unfair labor conditions in a revolt known as Fireburn. After slavery on the island was abolished in 1848, Bryan says the freed men and women were given jobs on plantations. “These laborers were subjected to inhumane living and working conditions and on October 1, 1878, a labor revolt occurred. During the revolt, a large portion of the island of St. Croix was burned, hence the name Fireburn. The Fireburn forever changed the economy of the Virgin Islands and is commemorated each year on the anniversary of the event.” Having grown up in St. Croix, Bryan was familiar with Fireburn, but didn’t become passionate about the subject until she discovered
Islands, wrote: “The desperate cry of Fireburn resoher paternal great-great grandmother had been nates with any person or people whose freedom, an eyewitness to the revolt. That inspired her to creativity, authenticity, or passion was squelched write a short story about Fireburn, which she perby others. The theme of this story formed in speaking clubs throughout empathizes with our brothers and South Florida. sisters who perished in locations such “After winning awards for my short as Auschwitz, Tiananmen Square or story and performances, I realized South Africa, as well as others also Fireburn was a topic that many related persecuted for their religious beliefs, to and found interesting,” ethnicity, disabilities and gender.” explains Bryan, who Portions of the proceeds from book decided to write a screensales benefit The Fireburn Foundation, play that she and her a non-profit Bryan founded to raise friends could act in and could possibly be funds for those in need, particularly in filmed on the island to the U.S. Virgin Islands. As part of the help the economy. book launch, Bryan presented a check for $2,000 to the Queen Louise Home That screenplay has for Children, a foster care home and been re-released as a book, the only orphanage in the USVI. available on Amazon. Fireburn The Fireburn The Screenplay is not Bryan’s only literScreenplay was #1 on Amazon’s Best ary project. This month she is releasing James and Seller List for screenplays in July. the Fireburn: An Anti-bullying and Human Rights Story Bryan believes one of the reasons the book is so successful Inspired by Caribbean History, a children’s book that is because it is a highly relat- focuses on anti-bullying and human rights. able story. In the foreword, For more information or to purchase a copy of Fireburn The Senator Myron Jackson, 32nd Screenplay go to www.fireburnthescreenplay.com. Legislature of the Virgin
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