There are some stories that really carve out the emotions and horror of certain historical events. “Day of Tears,” a book written by Julius Lester, digs deep into a horrific part of American history by showing a painfully real story. Based on a true story, Lester pinpoints one of the largest slave auctions in American history- the Weeping Time, which took place in Savannah, Georgia in March of 1859. How Lester binds the story together educates the reader about the heartbreaking realities of slave auctions.
At the center of the novel, enslaved families are being torn apart from their families, and people see them as an “item.” Lester portrays the realness of the human experiences and the characters throughout the novel with his storytelling of the pain and suffering that they went through. Lester’s storytelling and the ability to bring the reader on someone else’s journey is impactful. He uses dialogue and imagery to really grasp the reader’s attention. Lester uses sounds, emotions, and sights of the time. The brutal sounds of the whippings and the weeping that came from the enslaved people make this book incredibly real and heartbreaking. He really shines the light down on the unforgettable moments in history.
“Day of Tears” doesn’t stray from an emotional journey that reflects on the human race, mortality and the effects on slavery. It doesn’t just walk away from the brutality of slavery, but also reflects on courage, hope, and strength of human adversity. “Day of Tears” gives readers the experience of slavery and its effect on modern times.
Lester’s “Day of Tears” shows readers the depths of human race, equality and freedom. This novel shows the importance of the past and forces the readers to acknowledge the brutality of our history.
