Perhaps you’ve noticed the laughter of children. It dances on the breeze here at Clement G. Morgan Park. This park stands as a testament to a remarkable man. It is a tribute to Clement Garnett Morgan. He was an attorney, a civil rights activist and a city official.
Clement G. Morgan Park is a small park in the Cambridgeport neighborhood. It is family-friendly welcoming people of all ages. You will find two playgrounds here. One is for older kids and one is for tots. There is also a basketball court. Paths wind through the park and picnic tables offer spots to relax.
Clement G. Morgan was born into slavery in Virginia in 1859. After the Emancipation Proclamation freed him and his parents in 1863, they moved to Washington D.C.. Clement trained as a barber. He later moved to Boston to further his education.
He attended Boston Latin School. Later, he enrolled at Harvard University at the age of 27. While studying, Clement G. Morgan worked in a barber shop to support himself. He excelled academically. He won the Boylston Prize for oratory during his senior year. W. E. B. Du Bois, a classmate, came in second.
In 1890, Clement G. Morgan earned his B.A. from Harvard. In 1893, he received his LL.B. from Harvard University Law School. He was the first African American to earn both degrees from Harvard. Du Bois became the first African American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard the following year.
As a student, Clement G. Morgan showed a passion for civil rights. He delivered a powerful speech on “Race Unity” in 1890. He stressed the importance of education. He urged African Americans to pursue knowledge and uplift themselves. He proudly declared “I am glad to be a negro”.
After law school, Clement G. Morgan fought for justice. He defended a black factory worker against extradition. He argued that the man would likely face lynching in the South. He successfully represented black parents against a segregated school. The school was shut down.
Clement G. Morgan was a founding member of the Niagara Movement. It was a civil rights organization. He later became active in the Boston branch of the NAACP. He worked to ban the film “The Birth of a Nation”. This film was a racist film.
Clement G. Morgan entered politics. In 1896, he became the first African American elected to the Cambridge Board of Aldermen. He was the first black alderman in New England.
Clement G. Morgan lived on Columbia Street in Cambridge. He later moved to Inman Square. He belonged to exclusive social clubs. These included the Omar Khayyam Circle. This group was a black literary and intellectual circle.
Clement G. Morgan died in 1929. Clement G. Morgan Park was dedicated to him in 1991. A plaque and a mural memorialize him here. The park is located between Columbia Street and Pine Street. Renovations have upgraded the playground equipment. Pathways and lighting have been improved. New seating and furniture have been added.
So as you wander through Clement G. Morgan Park remember the legacy of Clement Garnett Morgan. He was a man of courage and intellect. He dedicated his life to justice and equality. This park is a place for all. It embodies his vision of community and opportunity.