The Prince Hall Masonic Temple is on the National Register of Historic Places and I'd wanted to take a picture of it for a long time. There is an overpass right in front of it, so it's tricky to get to and hard to photograph.
What follows is depressing, so feel free to skip it. I did not understand the significance of the building until I Googled it. My father-in-law and great grandfather were Masons, but I had no idea there was a branch of African American masons, Prince Hall Masonry. In segregated Baton Rouge, this building was an entertainment center for the black community. The roof garden was the site of teen dances.
Six days after I took this photo, a 14-year-old boy was shot and killed about 2 blocks away. He had just made his middle school football team and he wanted to be a policeman when he grew up. In April, a 15-year-old boy died about four blocks away; a 17-year-old was later arrested in his death. Sometimes it seems we'll never escape the legacy of racism and violence.
I do like the PoV, gives it great presence and power. It is a complete and utter shame about the young men's deaths. I wonder how and when we will learn to respect each other on all levels. A life is precious no matter who you are.
August 27th, 2019
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