THE SCOURGE
Congratulations to the winners of the Mark of the Thief series of books: Kami, Kory, and Jaylen.
Now for today’s book. This contest will run until Monday morning.
Throughout all of human history, by far the most feared human disease is Leprosy. People were so afraid of it that in most parts of the world, if you got the disease, it was legal to forcibly remove you from your home and send you to a leper colony where you would expect to live out the rest of your life.
One such place was Molokai Island in Hawaii. It opened in 1866 and for the next century, more than 8000 people with Leprosy lived and died there. Those who came had been transported to the island by boat, often in a cattle pen to keep them isolated from others. There was no escape from the colony unless someone wished to try building a boat or scaling the 1700’ cliffs. Supplies would be delivered to the island only once a year.
By the early 1940’s, we knew what the Leprosy, now called Hansen’s Disease, was, and it wasn’t hard to cure, just antibiotics. Yet it was still legal to take people from their homes – for a disease we could cure!
That’s when I realized that the colonies were never about the disease itself, it was about the fear of the disease. That was where the idea began for THE SCOURGE, about how fear is used to control people.
This is a girl from around that era who was being forced into a colony. You see the odd way she is holding her hands – that is a protest, refusing to hold the sign for her picture. That’s why someone else is holding it. I loved this picture, because this was her only way to fight back against the system.
This book does seem to have some common elements with Covid; however, THE SCOURGE is not about our current pandemic situation, or a commentary on it. If you are not vaccinated yet, please get vaccinated.
P.S. The Kalaupapa settlement ended in 1969; however, those who lived there were allowed to remain, since by then they had no other place to go.
More than anything, THE SCOURGE is a story of friendship, or learning to understand people who may be different than yourself.
Want to win a copy? Tell me the greatest thing about one of your best friends!
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The best thing about my best friend is that she's always honest, no matter what. If I ever need help or advice, I know she'd be 100% truthful with me about my situation, and I couldn't ask for anything more :)
The best thing about one of my closest friends is that she listens and supports me. She'll be honest with me - even when it hurts - but then she's there to uplift and help, as well. She truly is a wonderful friend!
The greatest thing about my best friend is that we are always jesting and having fun together, we fight and bicker a lot, but that just makes us better friends.
The greatest thing about my best friend is that she understands me. We don't agree on everything, and we aren't even good at all the same things, but she is super helpful, she knows how to cheer me up, and she is always super friendly to me, even if we disagree about something.
The greatest thing about one of my best friends is that she knows me better than anyone else. We've known each other for 12 years and she's always there for me, no matter what's going on. She's always willing to help.
The greatest thing about my friend, is no matter what she supports me and does everything to make me feel better after hard days. She also always know when something is wrong and always comforts me with kind words. Even though we are now separated by states we have grown even closer. She loves me despite my flaws🥰
The best thing about my friend is how she isn’t afraid to ask me deep questions about my life which I know can be hard sometimes but is so good in terms of keeping me accountable. So thankful to have been blessed with such a great role model and friend!
The best thing about my friend is that we have so much in common and can relate on so many different levels. She's always there for me and makes me laugh so hard when I need it the most!
The greatest thing about my best friend is that she knows me and understands me better than anyone. She supports me, cares for me, laughs and cries with me, and is always there for me. ❤️
The best thing about my friend is that she knows me so well, and when I can't put my thoughts or feelings into words, she understands what I need and feel anyway, and always knows exactly how to make me feel better. She always tries to help me even if that means telling me i'm wrong
