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Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges

  I got the privilege of going to the Hollywood Bowl in LA to see a concert by the LA philharmonic called Mozart Under the Stars. The concert was great and I felt a kind of peace that I needed at the moment. Today, as I was scrolling YouTube, a video about the Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges appeared calling him the Black Mozart. I ended up watching a few videos on Joseph Bologne (this one was my favorite) and I learned that he had a significant impact in our history while sadly being someone most people have never heard of. I wont go into his biography since you can watch the video or look him up, but I'll say a few things. Joseph was the son of a wealthy white man and his black enslaved woman, making him multiracial. He was one of the greatest people of his generation and was acknowledged for his talent despite facing a huge amount of racism. He was one of the greatest musicians and swordsmen of his time, a leader in the French revolution, and influenced the minds of many autocrats, as he was born wealthy. He challenged great swordsmen in France and England, winning many duels against white fencing masters and shifting local public opinions of white superiority. 

    Learning about Joseph made me remember how there is so much rich history of great people of color that is simply not taught in school. I wish that the achievements of people of color were known and not ignored as they were when I went to school. I am going to find some content to learn more on my own. Anyways, do you have a favorite historical figure of color? I can say that Joseph Bologne has become one of my favorite historic figures.

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