Overview

In the twenty-first century fictional community of Georgetown, SC, a story unfolds revealing family secrets and conflicts that challenge cultural beliefs. With bighearted intention, newlyweds Florence and Chadwick Wineglass attempt to promote economic legacy, but their unconscious motives often ensnare those they assist. The Wineglasses become raptor-like in their generosity at a moment when other community members' intentions also prove to be menacing. Conveyed in four acts and with chapter names that follow the production stages of Carolina Gold Rice, Raptors in the Ricelands spans the future, the present, and the past, and fosters a message of connection with African diasporic communities around the globe. Historical accounts include the Orangeburg Massacre; Black church life, particularly in Oconee County, SC as begun during slavery; the launch of White supremacy in Fort Mill, SC; the Reconstruction Era; and the Universal Negro Improvement Association.

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9781958754818

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Reviews

"""A winding, non-linear story that offers glimpses of history intertwined in a rich and abundant lens of human strengths and frailties."" -Dr. Sally Z. Hare, Coastal Carolina University Distinguished Professor Emerita; author of The ElderGarten, A Field Guide to the Journey of a Lifetime ""Ron Daise is an American griot. In this novel, Daise welcomes us into his village and, with his words, feeds our imagination and spirit. His voice connects our past with the present and helps us to get a glimpse of what our future might look like. This modern-day Gullah tale reflects the experiences of many Americas; in fact, it creates a bridge from the Lowcountry of South Carolina to the world. -Alison Mc Letchie, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Sciences, South Carolina State University ""Ron Daise is a superb storyteller. When he speaks about ""the hag"" and when you see the Gullah language written out, know that he writes of his heritage and was a member of the team that translated the language for the Gullah Bible. Raptors in the Ricelands affords readers an unforgettable journey with the customs and lifestyles of the Gullah community, which are shared with communities of the African Diaspora around the globe."" -Vanessa D. Thaxton-Ward, Ph. D., Director, Hampton University Museum ""Ron Daise offers a much-needed reminder of the voices of the Gullah Geechee ancestors that propel modern intimacy and pride of the Gullah Geechee in their land, culture, heritage, and language."" -Jessica R. Berry, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Gullah Geechee Educational Consultant & Author ""Raptors in the Ricelands captures the music of the Gullah Geechee language and the dance of human interactions. Daise offers wisdom both grand and small, from secrets that cross oceans and centuries to the Edisto Islander cure for hiccups. Whether you are a beenyah, comeyah, or something in between, this book will leave you a richer and wiser person. -Adam Knight Gilbert, Professor of Musicology [and comeyah], University of Southern California ""Ron Daise's exceptional storytelling skillfully immerses readers in the vibrant world of the Gullah Geechee community, unveiling its rich tapestry of culture, language, faith, spirituality, and the essence of Lowcountry living. As a Gullah Girl, my heart and soul resonated deeply with the narratives, and each story vividly transported me to its setting. Daise's work left me eagerly thirsting for more."" -Rev. DeMett Eva Jenkins, Director of Education and Engagement for Faith Based Communities, International African American Museum ""The many characters in this fictional story seem familiar and fully realized as Daise expertly shows the reader the connectivity between their lives, their Gullah culture, and the valuable ""Carolina Gold"" rice. Equally important in this book are the teachings of Marcus Garvey Jr., and the reminder that all that humanity can only move forward when we unselfishly commit to helping those most in need."" -Eric Crawford, author of Gullah Spirituals: The Sound of Freedom and Protest in the South Carolina Sea Islands"

Author Information

"Ron Daise, a son of St. Helena Island, SC, is an author, performer, educator, and cultural interpreter. His books, productions, and recordings have documented and shaped Gullah Geechee heritage since 1986. Co-star of ""Gullah Gullah Island,"" Nick Jr. TV's award-winning children's program of the 1990s, Ron also is a former chairman of the federal Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission, and is featured in exhibits at the International African American Museum, Charleston, SC; the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Washington, DC; and Brookgreen Gardens, Murrells Inlet, SC. When not writing and performing, Ron is a baker and owner of Mr. Ron's Gullahlicious Pound Cakes. A graduate of Hampton Institute (now Hampton University), Ron and his wife Natalie reside in Georgetown, SC, and are parents of two adult children. He can be found online at www.rondaise.com, on Instagram @gullahron, and on Meta @rondaise."

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