On this day in 1787, fourteen blacks, describing themselves as taxpaying “freemen” of Boston (Massachusetts abolished slavery in 1783), submitted a petition to the legislature protesting that their children were excluded from the Boston public schools because of their race. Deliberately echoing the protests of the Sons of Liberty, they complained to the legislature of taxation without education.
But the Commonwealth’s lawmakers ignored their plea. Rebuffed by the legislature, Boston’s blacks established a school of their own. Prince Hall, one of the fourteen blacks who petitioned the legislature in 1787, was the school’s first teacher. Hall was one of the most influential black leaders of the late 1700s. Hall served in the Continental Army during the revolution.
Having served in the Revolutionary War, Hall and other blacks expected, but did not receive, racial equality when the war ended. Hall collaborated with others to propose legislation for equal rights. He also hosted community events, such as educational forums and theater events, to improve the lives of Black people.
Hall was interested in the Masonic fraternity because Freemasonry was founded on liberty, equality, and peaceful ideals. Having been rejected by colonial Freemasonry, Hall and 15 others sought and were initiated into Masonry by members of Lodge No. 441 of the Grand Lodge of Ireland on March 6, 1775. Hall and other freedmen founded African Lodge No. 1, and he was named Grand Master. Hall was considered the “father of African Freemasonry”.
“My new work schedule is three days in the office and two days at home dreading going to the office.”
Today is the birthday, in 1972, of Haitian rapper and musician Wyclef Jean, who with The Fugees had the 1996 UK No.1 single Killing Me Softly and the 1998 solo 1998 UK No.3 single ‘Gone Till November’. Their second album The Score (1996) became one of the best-selling albums of all time. Jean has won three Grammy Awards for his musical work. He co-wrote the 1999 singles ‘My Love Is Your Love’ for Whitney Houston and ‘Maria Maria’ for Santana. He guest performed on Shakira’s 2006 single, ‘Hips Don’t Lie’, reaching No.1 in 55 countries. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUT5rEU6pqM
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