I just wanted to make a point, this RP is supposed to be realistic and you have a black woman working on the paper. In the 1800's you wouldn't have even had a white woman working on the paper. Black children, like poor white children would not have been given an education because back then there weren't equal rights. The only job a black woman would be given was to work as a servant, the same goes for a black man becuase they were seen as to be of a lower brain capacity.

I thought I would lay some historical background, you can totally ignore it of course, I was just wondering if you allowed it to make more of a range of characters or if you had just not realised *shrugs*.

I don't mean to offend anyone by the way, the above is merely fact and does not reflect my own personal opinion.

That is not entirely true. There were several female writers in the 19th century and many of them also worked as journalists. One of the most famous ones was Harriet Martineau. Amongst other things, this lady wrote an article called "Independend Industry of Women" that I have right here in front of me (very good reading, btw), and it points to the state of the country in 1859, showing that many women work and take care of themselves in different professions. This would be at least 20 years before our action takes place, so female contribution in the workforce would be even more accepted by the time we're dealing with. Nowhere near today's society, of course, but much more than in the early 1800s.

As for the racial aspect, you are (sadly) right that it would be uncommon, but not unheard of. Ann Plato and N.F.Mossell are examples of black women who wrote essays like the ones Rachel Grant-Freeman would write. Mary Seacole even published a book (although aside from Mary Prince's oral narrative, it was admittedly the only book in English by a black woman published in 19th century Britain).

We know there were boarding schools for black girls in the US back then; the first ones opened in 1829 and 1830. We have not found examples of them in Britain, but seeing as Britain abolished slavery before America did and was generally moving faster on that area, we allowed Rachel's education. After all; one of the biggest arguments of the imperialists was that the idea of the 'Civilizing Mission,' that it is the duty of the white race to take care of the 'benighted people.' They wanted to save, educate and civilize them.

I have studied Victorian Culture and Literature and love it dearly, so it would be the first. ;) I would not have allowed Rachel Grant-Freeman as just anyone's first-character application. However, the writer was an existing member who wrote their characters responsibly and well, so I allowed a bit of leeway and she knew/knows (and plays it out well, by the way) that she has to expect other characters to find her scandalous and inappropriate.

I understand, and I am not offended. I like members to care about keeping it realistic.

*nods* Okie. Cool thanks for clearing that up. n.n