Mitiblende The Story of an American Family

<p>Mitiblende reads like the story of a Black American family in its quest</p><p>to sell or partition an heir's property legacy of 56 acres of undivided</p><p>interest. The term Mitiblende (translation make the brains grow</p><p>smarter) was coined by Robert M. Pittman. The late Mr. Pittman was</p><p>Joe Harris' uncle. Joe Harris is the novel's protagonist. The storyline</p><p>is cast around property located in a small town rural Texas setting.</p><p>Heirs property essentially represents generational wealth that has</p><p>been transferred to multiple family members by inheritance usually</p><p>without a will. The deed to the property was dated August 2 1898</p><p>from Sallie Simpson to Rosie Burse Edwards (Joe Harris' greatgrandmother).</p><p>The granting of the land was instead of monetary</p><p>compensation and represented repayment for services rendered by</p><p>Joe Harris' ancestors.</p><p><br></p><p>In many ways the Mitiblende story can be characterized as</p><p>semi-autobiographical. Several aspects of Joe Harris' childhood to</p><p>adolescence to adulthood passage (such as names places and other</p><p>identifying descriptors) may be fictional. However many aspects</p><p>of the journey such as his efforts in structuring the Harris Family</p><p>Tree are factual and historical. Intertwined between the story is an</p><p>evolving collage of clues presented in the form of letters emails</p><p>teleconferences and dialogue. For example a letter written in 1986</p><p>by Joe Harris' Aunt Maude (the late Maudell Williams) provided</p><p>clues that highlighted issues such as (a) the landlocked perimeter</p><p>and (b) the lack of easement rights.</p>