Arlon Stubbe

En-Garde, World! Arlon Stubbe

Meet Joseph Bologne . . . the most intriguing person you never knew existed. Son of a slave and that woman's owner, an immigrant to France, he became the best swordsman of his time, a celebrated violinist and composer, military leader and staunch abolitionist. Journey from his birthplace, Guadeloupe, to the continent and meet some of the people Joseph encountered, including Kings, Queen Marie-Antoinette, even Wolfgang Amadee Mozart and Benjamin Franklin! You'll see why he earned the title, Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges. Some social problems are always with us, it seems. Every era has had its share of political power grabs, greedy merchants, international conflicts, wars, and competition in every realm of business and sports. Slavery existed for many centuries, and still does in real ways-sex trafficking, forced labor, the abduction of children, abuse of women, sexual domination, gender and racial bias. But, once in a while someone comes along who seems capable of breaking free from the limits placed on him or her, and excels at whatever endeavor he/she chooses. Such was Joseph Bologne. Born in 1745 (a fact somewhat in question) on a sugar cane plantation in Guadeloupe to a slave mother and her owner, nonetheless he was taken to France in order to seize the opportunities available to him, ones not available at all in the West Indies. For 34 years Joseph lived in Paris, travelled to London and other places on the continent, studied the violin, composed masterpieces, formed orchestras, and met the rich and famous. But he also saw the underbelly of society-the poor and disadvantaged, the prostituted, and the masses who fought for revolution in France and Saint-Domingue. He championed the cause of abolition, fought to defend France against the Prussians, and was heartbroken over bloodshed between blacks, mulattos (like himself), and white landowners. In the end, Joseph gained acclaim for his prowess with the sword, the violin, his musical scores, women, and connections with royalty that earned him the titles of chevalier and gendarme du roi. The saga of Chevalier de Saint-George is all here in En-Garde, World!