by Joi Thomas-Lewis
Angela Golden Bryan is a Caribbean-American actress known for her roles in films such as “The Magic City,” and “Not for Human Consumption.” She is also an author and an international speaker. Aside from all these amazing things, she is considered a very important Virgin Islander.
One of the reasons she can be considered for such a title is because she wrote the screenplay, Fireburn, about the 1878 St. Croix labor riot in Fredricksted.
The story begins around the time that slavery was abolished on St. Croix in 1848. The quality of life was horrible in those days for former slaves, as laws created under Danish rule didn’t allow them to have access to proper housing, education, healthcare, or income. Soon, a riot had started called the Fireburn. Three women who participated in the Fireburn – Queen Mary, Queen Agnes, and Queen Mathilda – have become icons, representing those who fight against colonial powers.
Angela recalled that her first launch of the book didn’t go too well, as not enough effort was expended in terms of marketing.
“It was just a very quiet occurrence, and I told my friends ‘Oh, by the way, my book is published,’ ” she said. Bryan added, “I was very much opposed to what I felt was like tooting my own horn so to speak…I just felt like it wasn’t very humble.”
“…Fireburn The Screenplay: A story of passion ignited” held the number one spot on Amazon’s bestseller list for screenplays.
After she took a stronger approach in marketing, “Fireburn The Screenplay: A story of passion ignited” held the number one spot on Amazon’s bestseller list for screenplays.
