Around 1753, Rachel Lauder Pringle Polgreen was born enslaved in Barbados. As a teenager, she was desperate to escape her sexually abusive enslaver – who was also her father – so she agreed to be a mistress to a man offering to buy her freedom.
Over the years, Rachel served as a mistress to other powerful men, and she eventually amassed considerable wealth! Using that money, she became the first Black woman to own a hotel.
Her Royal Navy Hotel became popular as a brothel to sailors and other travelers – but one day, a VERY powerful guest overstayed his welcome.
Prince William Henry, who would later become King William IV of England, visited the hotel with friends and drunkenly trashed the place until it was unrecognizable! Enraged, Polgreen sought justice.
She billed the prince for damages he’d caused, and he was so stunned by her boldness, he paid the bill in full! Victorious, she rebuilt an even more luxurious hotel and became extremely wealthy from its success.
The Prince’s destruction of the hotel is a form of racism we still see today: white entitlement.
When we experience this type of racism, like Polgreen we must demand justice – even from a powerful foe – and make sure we get what we are owed!