Mason is considered by some to be one of the largest founders of slavery as an evil, but he also had the second largest number of slaves in Northern Virginia, according to the Gunston Hall website. In addition, the HCBA event was named after the four slaves assigned to Mason.
HCBA Vice President and Founder Desmond L. Moffitt said the "Forgotten History" inspiration came from the organization's meeting to provide more opportunities for Americans and other young people to have an active voice in Honor College and the Mason community. Gunston Hall director Scott Stroh believes that understanding the role that slavery plays in the birth of our nation and what we can take in the issue facing Masonry is critical to seeing the systematic consequences of these things in our society and university today.
As Moffitt once said, "Isolation in history is the result of ignorance that follows."
Looking back on this history, Mason was at the forefront of creating the Virginia Declaration of Rights in 1776, which became the inspiration behind the Bill of Rights, or the first 10 amendments to our Constitution, according to the Bill of rights Institute website.
"A lifelong learner," Stroh said, "Mason's commitment was primarily to the public service."
Stroh added that while Mason represented Fairfax County in Virginia's House of Delegates and worked for the Federal Convention on behalf of Virginia, he denied political opportunities. He also adds that Mason believes that prominent political figures often cover the service itself.
"He was not afraid of it being a controversial word, especially in his commitment to the Bill of Rights," Moffitt said.
Although Mason was instrumental in drafting the Constitution, he was one of the party members who did not sign the final draft, according to Gunston Hall's list of opposition to Mason in the Constitution. One of the main criticisms is that, without a separate clause for the declaration of rights, citizens will not be equally protected under their various provincial pronouncements.
"He really cared about human rights," said Maya Hairston, President of the HCBA, after attending the event. "I went back to Gunston Hall and afterwards I kept thinking that, despite having slaves, this is the kind of politician I want to see today."
However, in order to be politically influential in the Mason era, wealth was needed, said Robinson, U.S. History Professor. Along with the party organizer for the event Spencer Crew. Crew explained that Mason's richness was part of the bondage movement.
"[Your] social and political life has been a luxury for your wealth. You never participated in Congress if you were rich," said Crew.
Another reason why Mason refused to sign the constitution was related to his criticism of the Constitutional Convention to postpone the sale of slaves for another 20 years, as listed in its opposition.
Mason's position in slavery stems from a lack of need for slaves, according to Stroh.
"We have to remember," Stroh said, "that the slave trade did not directly affect him because he had enough slaves."
Crew also adds that Mason's position is related to him being a Virginian.
Virginia as a whole did not need more slaves and "by selling slaves in states like Georgia and South Carolina, Virginia slaves could actually increase in price," Crew said.
Thus Crew said that from the perspective of the Virginian, ending the slave trade was a major economic stimulus.
Although there is a desire to stop the slave trade, there have been some serious economic doubts about Mason and other founding fathers keeping their slaves, Crew said.
Crew said, "It's almost like getting rid of everything that makes you important, because it involves separating yourself from your mind [and your need to protect yourself]."
