"The Yellow Face: Repercussions" (60 words, rated G)

[gardnerhill.livejournal.com]

Title: The Yellow Face: Repercussions
Author: gardnerhill
Word Count: 60
Rating: G
Warning: None.
Summary: Watson faces a backlash.

***

“Another missive from your agent about the difficulties of selling your latest collection in America?”

Watson nodded. “He says my books are being burned in Georgia and Mississippi, and I’ve been declared a race-mixing radical.”

“All for you merely relating the story of Miss Lucy Munro’s parentage.” Holmes pursed his lips, eyes steely. “No wonder her mother fled the States.”

Comments

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

Thanks for sharing this with us.

[gardnerhill.livejournal.com]

You're welcome.

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

A very unreceptive audience there.

[gardnerhill.livejournal.com]

The Klan was at the height of their powers and influence at the time Doyle wrote this, and they were absolutely hysterical on the subject of racial mixing - especially involving white women with black men.

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

Yes, I suppose for the former Mrs. Hebron, it would be one thing having her husband alongside her for emotional support - and also to protect her - but it would be a far more difficult situation as a young widow facing aggressive disapproval. As well as simply wanting to get away and go home, she may have felt her daughter would be safer being cared for by someone else.

[gardnerhill.livejournal.com]

At the time these stories were written, the Klan was thriving in a dozen Southern states, and influencing legislature. And the Klan's obsessive ranting against racial mixing - especially a white woman with a black man - would have made their family life miserable if they didn't leave.

[debriswoman]

A brilliant angle on the case:-)
Thought provoking...

[gardnerhill.livejournal.com]

"Cardboard Box" was censored in the States because it dealt with marital infidelity. I can only imagine how well a story about a white woman and a black man having a child together would have gone down in Klan country.

[debriswoman]

Indeed...

[tardisjournal.livejournal.com]

Watson a race-mixing radical! Ironic considering how many charges of racism are leveled against his works today.

Nice take on the story!

[gardnerhill.livejournal.com]

Thanks. The stories were written about the time the Klan was at the height of their power and political influence all over the States, not just the South - and a story about a white woman and a black man having a child could easily have thrown them into a rage.

[tardisjournal.livejournal.com]

That makes a lot of sense!