Letters in Response to:
‘The Original H-Block’

Byline

Your piece on “The Original H-Block” was indeed moving. I was moved because I knew and felt connected to some of the people in the story. In particular, one person listed among the notables stood out. The name that stood out was Gustave Anglin. Mr. Anglin was my 6th and 7th grade math teacher. He was also my homeroom teacher. Before he was my teacher, he taught my older brother as well.

My entire life, my mother and father, their parents and extended family stressed education and achievement. We were also always reminded of previous struggles before our time that helped pave the way for our opportunities. As a result, my parents were very active participants when it came to lessons, homework, grades and progress reports. These activities were only more intense for me in middle school math because my mother and Mr. Anglin were good friends.

Mr. Anglin did an excellent job teaching me math. He also encouraged me to tinker. My mother and father encouraged me to tinker as well, provided I didn’t set the house on fire. Now, I tinker for a living. My resume may say “electrical engineer,” but every engineer knows better: we all know we got our start because we liked to tinker and were encouraged to do so.

I fear that our youngsters today are not moved by our history because somehow they don’t feel connected to it. While there are many reasons for this, the ultimate responsibility for connecting our young people to this history lies with us. The “Roving Camera” page that followed your essay demonstrate this very point. Nearly all of those interviewed stressed that the environment at home must place a high value on education and achievement in order for our young people to succeed.

I owe my success as an engineer not only to my own dedication and hard work, but also to my mother and father, extended family, Mr. Anglin and the rest of the esteemed H-Block alumni for paving the way. For that, I am truly thankful. I feel connected, a part of this tradition, and believe that it can work again. To make it work we must pass this history of achievement on to future generations, as the Banner has done, and this history must set an example to be embraced, revered and taught in every home. To achieve this, we must all commit.

Thank you for being one of many mentors. 

Rodney Singleton



Thank you for the wonderful article. Having lived at 244 Harold Street in the late ’50s and early ’60s (the Williams School, the Garrison, Boston Latin, etc.), I was able to relive my experiences with my friends, peers and places.

Thomas Lowe



Thanks for your piece on what is now known as the “H-Block.” While living there on Hollander Street at 15 years old, I went to the prestigious English High School (class of ’48) with Minister Louis Farrakhan. The fastest kid at English was Ed Griffith of Harold Street. Me and Reginald Alleyne were the only two black champion swimmers at the local Boys Club. Sach’s First National store had us delivering groceries, especially to Harrishof Street. All we have are reflections. Thanks again.

Stan Roberts



That was an awe-inspiring article to read. I hope that people share it far and wide with young people who know far too little about the positive aspects of their history.

Cynthia
(full name withheld)



Kudos from an old expatriate Roxburyite to Melvin “Mel” Miller and Howard Manly for their excellent “Original H-Block” supplement. The text and pictures brought back many pleasant memories of upper Roxbury of the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s. Names of boyhood friends, fellow Boy Scouts and childhood heroes and their accomplishments and exploits did the heart good.

Reading about “makeshift memorials” to slain youths in and about Munroe Park makes me hearken back to a time when a drugstore on the corner of Waumbeck Street and Humboldt Avenue could leave their daily newspapers outside their doorway in the morning before business hours and their customers would pick up the papers on their way to work, leaving their nickels as payment, which the proprietors, upon opening their establishment, would find unmolested.

Jim McCree
Detroit, Mich.



Best article on local history I’ve ever read. I’m a bit biased, though — one of my uncles married Sarah-Ann Shaw, and his sister dated Reginald Alleyne. Al Fortune married a dear friend of my mother’s. Carl McCall is a close family friend, and the Whartons lived on my father’s block.

I could go on and on…

Bijan C. Bayne



Indeed, it was truly a pleasure to read your article, “The Original H-Block.”

I commend Mr. Miller and Mr. Manly for developing such a thorough piece, which enlightened me about the many positive contributions made by extraordinary blacks in Roxbury during the early 20th century. I was particularly fascinated to learn of Melnea Cass’s vital role during these challenging times. Admittedly, I have driven on Melnea Cass Boulevard for many years, failing to realize the extraordinary story behind the name.

Surely, your story transported readers — particularly older folks — to such an important era of our city when intellectually curious, progressively minded and relentless leaders broke down racial barriers in order to pave the way for future generations of ethnic minorities, including myself.

I would like to conclude this letter by stating that I admire the humility of Mr. Miller, because I am well aware that through your leadership and convictions, you too are a member of this special group of individuals who have “set the tone of conspicuous achievement in a neighborhood filled with high achievers.”

You truly are a Roxbury man!

Jaime Crespo
Multicultural Communications Specialist
Children’s Hospital Boston