TBL Staff

Masons, with their white aprons and architectural symbols, are part of an age-old order that preaches fraternity, service and faith. Mozart was a Mason, and so were George Washington and John Wayne.

But in much of the South, the Masonic bonds of the brotherhood are being strained by race: Groups operate in a separate-but-supposedly-equal system in which whites typically join one network of Masonic groups, called Grand Lodges, and blacks typically join another, called Prince Hall.

Masons have quietly debated their interracial relations for years, and the issue is increasingly coming into public view. In Alabama, some dissident whites have split from the lodge system, and Republican Gov. Bob Riley's membership in an all-white lodge has drawn fire in his campaign for a second term. In North Carolina, white Masons recently voted down a bid to recognize members of the black group as fellow Masons.

odiebob

I don't understand why people think like it was the stone ages. We are all men of God,why can't we all get along,that is what he would want i feel.I have some doings with the prince hall masons here in Ohio and from what i can tell we are all brothers.That is the way it should be.

treder

I'm african american, new to this forum and not an active member though I joined an OES chapter in 1996. The chapter is Scottish Rite. ALL of my friends who are Prince Hall got on me about this but at the time my husband (now ex) helped me get initiated and he is Scottish Rite, joining from his time in the Air Force in Italy.

What is the real difference. I almost felt embarressed and didn't really particiapte the way I wanted to. Now Im ready to become active again. I'm very confused about all of this!

TR

David Herman

Each group (lodge, chapter, whatever) is chartered by a grand (state, province, territory or national) jurisdiction. Each grand jurisdiction headquarters decides which other grand jurisdictions (and member groups) it recognizes as a brother/sister organization.

Just like if I were to start my own club up for young boys, teach them all crafts and try to make them better - that's fine. But if I call them my "Boy Scouts", the other Boy Scouts, having been around for a very long time, would consider my group to be counterfeit, since I wasn't chartered by them (or a group they recognize as official).

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http://morelight.org

fmfveteran

what's up folks? i am a prince hall mason, and i have been around the world in the Navy. Freemasonry is worldwide, and for some racially bias group of FM's to think that only the "white" man" is ordained to recieve the R L P O T W L E G N D T T M O H S J O J, is ridiculous. maybe there will be a day when all of these BLIND men will finally see the LIGHT. I bet they wouldn't turn down assistance from a PHA if they were in distress. Think about that for a while. Have a good day, and SMITB. MM Barber

D. W. Brown

Welcome Brother..

You are correct they probably would not. Hopefully in my life sometime I will be able to say there is no more racism towards any ethnicity.

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Dale Brown, 3°
TBL Staff
__________________

Must Reads for Every Mason:

A Peculiar System of Morality | Laudable Pursuit | The Ancient Landmarks
The Truth About the Antients and the Moderns | It's About Time
__________________

Must Visit Links for Masons:

Grand Orient de France | Grand Orient of the United States of America
The Burning Taper | Halcyon Lodge | The Philalethes Society
Regulus Lodge | Sirius Lodge | Emeth Lodge

__________________

Something Every Freemason Should Fight For:

Pickens Plan

fmfveteran

Brother Brown, nice tie. Thanks for reading my message. I am in Georgia, and since being back, I've noticed many SR MM shying away from Masonic conversations. Because my time in the Navy was spent around impartial men, this really bothers me to see. America is a great Nation, but without civility amongst All, mainly Masons, we are doomed to failure. Brother Brown, once again thanks man, and you take care, and keep on exposing the under-discussed issues. America needs it. I'm helping in the South. How do I get out of a noose, again?

Stephen

I have got some questions???

The spider on my hand is fairly new. So excuse the ignorance. I know the main difference between the two. Skin color. That’s obvious. Here is some back ground for the reasoning behind my question. I am in the military. I was down in fort Sill Oklahoma. In the Army Masonry is very BIG. Any ways I was at a military function when I noticed a fellow brother wearing his light on his finger. So being a fellow Brother I approached him and asked him how long he had his LIGHT. He looked at me and said I should back away from him before he kicks my a*#. So I of course cocked a little attitude due to I am a Drill Sergeant. I collected my composure and asked him what Lodge he hailed from. He looked at me and began Laughing. I don’t take being laughed at very likely. So I walked away and thought he was just an imposer. Come to find out he was a Prince Hall Mason. I approached him and asked him if I offended him in any way I was sorry. One of his fellow Brothers said to him" He must be one of those AF & AM. I asked him what he meant by that. He said “nothing. We are all the same NO". I was confused. I told him "I believe so". I knew on of their body’s pretty well. So I asked him" What was their problem". He told me that is how all the Prince Hall Masons are, they think they deserve more, due to the fact that they have not been recognized by the AF & AM. So can someone help me with this question? What is the real difference between us?

Fraternally
Stephen Schmeichel
Liberty Lodge #300

D. W. Brown

One knot at a time Brother and thanks for the tie compliment (I think) ..

__________________
Dale Brown, 3°
TBL Staff
__________________

Must Reads for Every Mason:

A Peculiar System of Morality | Laudable Pursuit | The Ancient Landmarks
The Truth About the Antients and the Moderns | It's About Time
__________________

Must Visit Links for Masons:

Grand Orient de France | Grand Orient of the United States of America
The Burning Taper | Halcyon Lodge | The Philalethes Society
Regulus Lodge | Sirius Lodge | Emeth Lodge

__________________

Something Every Freemason Should Fight For:

Pickens Plan

D. W. Brown

There are no differences really but every side has its good and bad. It is sad that a few states can cause so much trouble for our organization.

__________________
Dale Brown, 3°
TBL Staff
__________________

Must Reads for Every Mason:

A Peculiar System of Morality | Laudable Pursuit | The Ancient Landmarks
The Truth About the Antients and the Moderns | It's About Time
__________________

Must Visit Links for Masons:

Grand Orient de France | Grand Orient of the United States of America
The Burning Taper | Halcyon Lodge | The Philalethes Society
Regulus Lodge | Sirius Lodge | Emeth Lodge

__________________

Something Every Freemason Should Fight For:

Pickens Plan