Our Ancestors Were Messy The Washington Bee: "Stings for Our Enemies. Honey for Our Friends."
Feb 12, 2025
Jonquilyn Hill, a writer and commentator, joins to delve into a Victorian-era love triangle that captivated Washington's elite. The discussion explores Lulu Francis, a fashion-forward heroine, and her romantic entanglements, alongside class tensions in the Black community. They analyze William Chase’s impact with The Washington Bee, a publication notorious for its scandalous gossip, and the consequences that followed Lulu's dramatic elopement. With humor and insight, they reflect on how history's messy entanglements echo in today's social dynamics.
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From Enslavement To First-Family Status
- Richard Francis rose from enslavement to become the U.S. Senate's private restaurant steward and a successful D.C. real-estate investor.
- His wealth and position allowed his family to join Washington's Black First Families and shaped Lulu Francis's social standing.
Lulu Francis: Belle Of Colored D.C.
- Louise "Lulu" Francis became a celebrated beauty and socialite, active in suffrage organizing at 15th Street Presbyterian Church.
- She courted across class lines when she began dating John F. Cragwell, a tonsillary artist employed by her father.
Lift As We Climb Became Respectability Policing
- The Black First Families adopted elite customs to gain white acceptance under the 'lift as we climb' strategy.
- That tactic later turned them into enforcers of respectability politics within the Black community.