In the late 80's and 90's, there wasa group of young brothers that became members of lodges across the country. Along with their high top fades and hip hop sense of talking, they had deep and true respect for their fathers and grandfathers. They wanted to be part of an order and a legacy that was bigger than them.
These young military veteran and college-educated brothers saw a new perspective and a new way of doing things and wanted to impact the order in the best way possible.
They were met with immediate resistance. The older brothers liked their things the way it was even if it was rusty and crumbling. They chastised these brothers who wanted to do things like increase dues, increase education, set up building funds etc.
These young brothers stepped away and kept on travelling anyway. They formed think-tanks of their own with little or no mentorship. They honed their thought processes but without any input from the older ones, they were rough around the edges, and for the ones who operated without supervision, they were out of control.
As life would have it, the old brothers became older, so did the young brothers. The young brothers now stepped into the shoes and brought in the fraternity to a modern world and made it more viable for the time. They were happy to fill in the shoes and the collars worn by the older brothers and were reveling in the shininess of their new found titles.
Then as it usually happens, new brothers showed up. The younger brothers of the present came with their new ideas of increasing the global reach of social media, increasing the use of technology, adapting the education to meet current trends etc.
Our younger brothers of the past became the older brothers they despised. They shot the younger brothers down, called them names, said they lacked the proper attention span to follow through with their ideas etc. Criticized their hairstyles, their manner of speech, their so-called experiences in education and careers etc.
Will the cycle continue?
December 16, 2016
March 11, 2016
Since everybody is on the soapbox...Story Time...
Once, in a certain PHA grand lodge in the southern region of USA, a man who was an irregular mason wanted to become a regular mason.
After 7+ years of being clandestine, he finally saw the light and there were many brothers who were happy for him and vowed to be there during his raising.
Then, his inept WM had a "problem" with the candidate: he was a Muslim. In the south, being a black Muslim is much of an anomaly compared to the east coast or mid-west. The befuddled WM did what every incompetent WM would do and seek answers from uninformed brethren read past masters. They all told him the same thing "don't"...he met a well-informed one who said go ahead...but with a 4 is to 1, he did something even worse: he talked to his deputy district grand master.
"Would he obligate to a bible?" the man asked.
"He said he may to the first 2 degrees, but he wants his third on a Koran." the WM replied
"I would not allow a Koran on an altar in my district."
So, the confused WM went back to the PM who told him to raise him and let him know the remarks of the District Deputy.
The PM was in shock, he had traveled all over the world and in his military experience seen the Koran on the altar of a few military PHA lodges that had members who were Muslims.
Since he had the Grand Master's ear, he decided to have a chat with him on the District Deputy's remarks. But instead, he was shocked on what transpired one evening in a lounge with the GM and the WM sitting with him.
"No Muslim will ever be a Mason in my jurisdiction as long as I am alive" GM said
"What?" PM replied in shock
"No Muslm. Absolutely not. Prince Hall is a Christian fraternity"
After he composed himself, the PM told him "Ok. That is fine, put it on paper."
"No."
"Well, if that is what you feel, then as Grand Master you have to put it in an edict."
"I won't..." GM replied, then turning to the WM he said "...you have heard what I said. If I hear that man is a mason, I will have you expelled for contumacy"
A couple of years later, the same GM slipped this opinion into a communication sent throughout the country. It was met with shock and disgust. He retracted his statement and killed the plans he had later of declaring that jurisdiction as a Christian jurisdiction. The only hint left of that debacle is a couple of lines in his Grand Session address where he affirmed the Three Great Lights in his jurisdiction as The Holy Bible, the Square and the Compass.
No one argued with him and many in attendance including those who threw a fit agreed with him. You see, they were not angry with him for what he believed, they were angry that he was bold (read stupid) enough to put it on paper and jeopardize the reputation of the fraternity publicly as well as jeopardize the non-profit status of his Grand Lodge's foundation accounts.
As for my good friend and dear brother, he is still a Muslim, still a veteran, still a hardworking entrepreneur, still a dutiful family man, still a loyal and faithful husband. After the drama that was caused, he felt his spirit dampen. He left the fraternity and has moved on still wishing in his heart that he was a mason.
After 7+ years of being clandestine, he finally saw the light and there were many brothers who were happy for him and vowed to be there during his raising.
Then, his inept WM had a "problem" with the candidate: he was a Muslim. In the south, being a black Muslim is much of an anomaly compared to the east coast or mid-west. The befuddled WM did what every incompetent WM would do and seek answers from uninformed brethren read past masters. They all told him the same thing "don't"...he met a well-informed one who said go ahead...but with a 4 is to 1, he did something even worse: he talked to his deputy district grand master.
"Would he obligate to a bible?" the man asked.
"He said he may to the first 2 degrees, but he wants his third on a Koran." the WM replied
"I would not allow a Koran on an altar in my district."
So, the confused WM went back to the PM who told him to raise him and let him know the remarks of the District Deputy.
The PM was in shock, he had traveled all over the world and in his military experience seen the Koran on the altar of a few military PHA lodges that had members who were Muslims.
Since he had the Grand Master's ear, he decided to have a chat with him on the District Deputy's remarks. But instead, he was shocked on what transpired one evening in a lounge with the GM and the WM sitting with him.
"No Muslim will ever be a Mason in my jurisdiction as long as I am alive" GM said
"What?" PM replied in shock
"No Muslm. Absolutely not. Prince Hall is a Christian fraternity"
After he composed himself, the PM told him "Ok. That is fine, put it on paper."
"No."
"Well, if that is what you feel, then as Grand Master you have to put it in an edict."
"I won't..." GM replied, then turning to the WM he said "...you have heard what I said. If I hear that man is a mason, I will have you expelled for contumacy"
A couple of years later, the same GM slipped this opinion into a communication sent throughout the country. It was met with shock and disgust. He retracted his statement and killed the plans he had later of declaring that jurisdiction as a Christian jurisdiction. The only hint left of that debacle is a couple of lines in his Grand Session address where he affirmed the Three Great Lights in his jurisdiction as The Holy Bible, the Square and the Compass.
No one argued with him and many in attendance including those who threw a fit agreed with him. You see, they were not angry with him for what he believed, they were angry that he was bold (read stupid) enough to put it on paper and jeopardize the reputation of the fraternity publicly as well as jeopardize the non-profit status of his Grand Lodge's foundation accounts.
As for my good friend and dear brother, he is still a Muslim, still a veteran, still a hardworking entrepreneur, still a dutiful family man, still a loyal and faithful husband. After the drama that was caused, he felt his spirit dampen. He left the fraternity and has moved on still wishing in his heart that he was a mason.
July 31, 2015
The masonic line of ascension and why it is a stupid idea
There are several lodges I have known were to become a WM, you have to go through a line of offices to eventually become a WM. I think it is a very stupid concept for one reason: it defeats the purpose of an election.
The masonic election of officers is a process by which members of a lodge typically pick and choose the members they think are competent for certain positions within the lodge. Each elected officer has a separate duty and the WM is rather than a culmination of all the duties, is simply one who delegates. You do not need to have been in a position to be able to delegate that decision especially if the duties and responsibilities are plainly spelled out in the by-laws and constitution.
Added responsibility is one thing, and preparing people for leadership is another thing, but with both, you don't need to have someone occupy different roles within a lodge to make them competent at the job of being a WM.
I have seen many brothers who were better in their warden seats than they were in the WM seat. I have seen a few who were better suited for one Warden seat vs the other (in a lot of jurisdictions I am familar with, the only requirement to be a WM is to have sat at any Warden position for one full masonic year)
But here's the point I am getting to...the WM seat is the hottest seat in the house, right under the rising scorching sun. One has to have certain qualities that don't have to be experienced or learned by sitting in EVERY seat on the so-called line. The election is an opportunity for brothers of that lodge to pick their best members for the position that best fits them and the lodge. There should be no hurry to get to the East. It should not be a factory line.
The masonic election of officers is a process by which members of a lodge typically pick and choose the members they think are competent for certain positions within the lodge. Each elected officer has a separate duty and the WM is rather than a culmination of all the duties, is simply one who delegates. You do not need to have been in a position to be able to delegate that decision especially if the duties and responsibilities are plainly spelled out in the by-laws and constitution.
Added responsibility is one thing, and preparing people for leadership is another thing, but with both, you don't need to have someone occupy different roles within a lodge to make them competent at the job of being a WM.
I have seen many brothers who were better in their warden seats than they were in the WM seat. I have seen a few who were better suited for one Warden seat vs the other (in a lot of jurisdictions I am familar with, the only requirement to be a WM is to have sat at any Warden position for one full masonic year)
But here's the point I am getting to...the WM seat is the hottest seat in the house, right under the rising scorching sun. One has to have certain qualities that don't have to be experienced or learned by sitting in EVERY seat on the so-called line. The election is an opportunity for brothers of that lodge to pick their best members for the position that best fits them and the lodge. There should be no hurry to get to the East. It should not be a factory line.
July 22, 2014
William Wirt: the (anti-)Mason
However, on his nomination, he told the convention that he would "very sincerely retire from it (nomination) with far more pleasure" than he would accept it.
He was initiated and passed to the degree of Fellowcraft but never became a Master Mason because his curiosity never led him so far (his own words). This was over 30 years before his nomination and on stating that, he also declared his slightly demeaning purview of the craft as "nothing more than a social and charitable club designed for the good feeling among its members , and for the pecuniary relief of their indigent brethren".
On being nominated, he was advised to declare his hate and dissent with the masonic organization, but he declined stating that "I did not believe that there could be anything in the institution at war with their duties as patriots men, and Christians"
He had a clear win of the nomination of Anti-Masonic party with 12 out of the 18 votes due to his charisma and his proficiency as a lawyer, reputation as an outstanding citizen and man. He went on to face Andrew Jackson (a Democrat and Mason out of TN) and Henry Clay (a Republican and Mason out of KY).
William Wirt lost the election winning only 7 electoral votes. His loss and his odds with the facade of the Anti-Masonic party effectively signaled the beginning of the ending of the party which effectively merged with the Whig Party around 1838.
July 5, 2014
Emotional Hazing
“Some people won't be happy until they've pushed you to the ground. What you have to do is have the courage to stand your ground and not give them the time of day. Hold on to your power and never give it away.”
Most Grand Lodges and indeed fraternal organizations usually have policies and make statements that state they are anti-hazing. A lot of them are particular about stomping down and restricting the scourge of physical hazing, but they usually do not bother or crack down as hard on the issue of emotional hazing.
Just like physical hazing, emotional hazing is just as distressing. I won't deny that i have not been a victim of such a treatment as a candidate. Been shouted on, constantly teased and ridiculed, humiliated to the furthest extent were just as hurtful on my experience as someone swinging a paddle on me.
What is the reason for this one asks? The two reasons that the proponents are quick to point out: Humility and Manliness.
I will tell you from my personal experience that a process of 3 months is never going to turn a proud man humble or teach anything about humility except it's a lesson the man is willing to learn himself. I've had experiences with candidates who are so meek and zen during their degree-work and when they are raised, turn into complete pompous and proud pigs. There's absolutely no humility that can be taught to a man by humiliating him.
That being said, we expect every candidate who comes into the temple to be first and foremost a man. If so, why test such manliness? If his manhood is in question, why recommend him? Why pass him through the investigation committee just to torment him during the degreework or in the ante-room? Why do we go through the lengths of such abusive methods to "prove" such manhood? Is there a way to prove such in the first place? How are we certain that the people proving the so-called manhood are truly men themselves if they are not prepared to take the same steps when the candidate/petitioner is not in a subversive state as he is in the lodge?
We have no excuse for maltreatment of our candidates in our lodges either physically, mentally or emotionally. Grand Lodges should be much stiffer on the education and enforcement of these forms of hazing.
Some members will then complain that the new masons are soft or not as tough as the "old-school", but it's been my experience that when the foolishness and foul play is put aside and freemasonry itself is being practiced in our lodges, those who talk the loudest sort of disappear. Reminds me of three guys I met during my third degree...they were pretty rough and I'm sure masons everywhere remember their fate.
Most Grand Lodges and indeed fraternal organizations usually have policies and make statements that state they are anti-hazing. A lot of them are particular about stomping down and restricting the scourge of physical hazing, but they usually do not bother or crack down as hard on the issue of emotional hazing.
Just like physical hazing, emotional hazing is just as distressing. I won't deny that i have not been a victim of such a treatment as a candidate. Been shouted on, constantly teased and ridiculed, humiliated to the furthest extent were just as hurtful on my experience as someone swinging a paddle on me.
What is the reason for this one asks? The two reasons that the proponents are quick to point out: Humility and Manliness.
I will tell you from my personal experience that a process of 3 months is never going to turn a proud man humble or teach anything about humility except it's a lesson the man is willing to learn himself. I've had experiences with candidates who are so meek and zen during their degree-work and when they are raised, turn into complete pompous and proud pigs. There's absolutely no humility that can be taught to a man by humiliating him.
That being said, we expect every candidate who comes into the temple to be first and foremost a man. If so, why test such manliness? If his manhood is in question, why recommend him? Why pass him through the investigation committee just to torment him during the degreework or in the ante-room? Why do we go through the lengths of such abusive methods to "prove" such manhood? Is there a way to prove such in the first place? How are we certain that the people proving the so-called manhood are truly men themselves if they are not prepared to take the same steps when the candidate/petitioner is not in a subversive state as he is in the lodge?
We have no excuse for maltreatment of our candidates in our lodges either physically, mentally or emotionally. Grand Lodges should be much stiffer on the education and enforcement of these forms of hazing.
Some members will then complain that the new masons are soft or not as tough as the "old-school", but it's been my experience that when the foolishness and foul play is put aside and freemasonry itself is being practiced in our lodges, those who talk the loudest sort of disappear. Reminds me of three guys I met during my third degree...they were pretty rough and I'm sure masons everywhere remember their fate.
Suitability
In most jurisdictions, a candidate of freemasonry has to prove suitable proficiency to be moved on to the next degree. The definition of suitable in the English dictionary is: "right or appropriate for a particular person, purpose, or situation". That applies very much to the instance of proving proficiency in lodges as conditions may vary per candidate or per jurisdiction on how to assess proficiency at that time.
That being said, as a candidate moves from degree to degree, his horizon on what freemasonry is should increase so should his perspective on the craft. It should behoove the candidate after reaching the sublime degree to go back and reflect on the teachings of previous degrees being that he no longer needs to prove any kind of proficiency to anyone anymore and he's ascended the stairs of the craft and now has the complete picture of what was going on step by step.
In most instances, this doesn't happen.
What you might find rather is a mason who abandons all he has learned in the previous degrees and just enjoys the benefit of his full membership without realising at the time that the standard by which he was tested was much lower than what is expected of him as a master mason. He is expected at this stage, to be the master of his craft, so why wouldn't it behoove him to be master what he learned as an apprentice and so on?
I recall looking at the rituals of the 1st degree as a newly initiated apprentice, then as a newly raised master mason. Year after year with each new degree class, I have looked at the degree work of the entered apprentice and have learned something that might have a new meaning to me and how I should apply it to my life.
This should be reminded to all our candidates who make it through the degrees and decide to run off or seek the other degrees freemasonry is so full of. It is important to understand the elastic of our masonic knowledge expands as much as we travel and as much as we are willing to stretch it and only remains the same size or even shrinking if we choose to do otherwise.
That being said, as a candidate moves from degree to degree, his horizon on what freemasonry is should increase so should his perspective on the craft. It should behoove the candidate after reaching the sublime degree to go back and reflect on the teachings of previous degrees being that he no longer needs to prove any kind of proficiency to anyone anymore and he's ascended the stairs of the craft and now has the complete picture of what was going on step by step.
In most instances, this doesn't happen.
What you might find rather is a mason who abandons all he has learned in the previous degrees and just enjoys the benefit of his full membership without realising at the time that the standard by which he was tested was much lower than what is expected of him as a master mason. He is expected at this stage, to be the master of his craft, so why wouldn't it behoove him to be master what he learned as an apprentice and so on?
I recall looking at the rituals of the 1st degree as a newly initiated apprentice, then as a newly raised master mason. Year after year with each new degree class, I have looked at the degree work of the entered apprentice and have learned something that might have a new meaning to me and how I should apply it to my life.
This should be reminded to all our candidates who make it through the degrees and decide to run off or seek the other degrees freemasonry is so full of. It is important to understand the elastic of our masonic knowledge expands as much as we travel and as much as we are willing to stretch it and only remains the same size or even shrinking if we choose to do otherwise.
April 22, 2014
Lux E Tenebris (Light Out Of Darkness)
When I created this image for my now defunct lodge facebook page, I thought the quote itself was profound. However the more you think about a few wise words, the more they sink to you and deeper the meaning becomes.
It was a quote by this Grand Master in 1893 at a congress of masons in Chicago. In order to understand the real meaning of the quote, one has to understand the context by which a man who considered being a Prince Hall mason in Alabama in 1893 faced when it came to being educated.
He was determined to seek such enlightenment he had no idea of. Usually having parents and people around him who never understood the real value of education, he sought far and wide for a means and a way to educate himself so he could eventually improve himself, his family and his community as a whole.
Juxtaposed with today's society, the term educated may not necessarily mean such a man who is formally educated. Although he has the basic means to read and write, in today's society, it means a man who is willing to go above and beyond to explore and broaden his mind and his intellectual periscope. It may not neccessarily have to come from a formal education institution, it may be just be by self-study, travelling and being under the guidance and fellowship of well-read mentors.
Freemasonry offers this to all its members who seek it. It gives an opportunity for members to study the rituals and associated literature, it allows its members to "foreign lands" to explore different cultures with the knowledge that wherever that brother travels, he is safe with a fellow who wears an apron with the Square & Compass. It allows brothers sit alongside men who have gone in the same path and can teach them some things not only about freemasonry but about life as well.
However, the issue is if our lodges and grand lodges are offering it to its members. Education in lodges and grand lodges is mostly ritualistic, if dare some be esoteric. But what how do these teachings positively improve our members who don't understand or can even apply these teachings? Where have we gone wrong in this respect?
First of all, we have to recognize and accept that in most cases, our lodges are open to all those who seek entrance to it who for the most part have clean records. We don't inquire onto their ability to be open minded and willing to educate themselves on what they are being taught and take in the lessons to be learned and have the capacity to apply it. Just come with your petition and your money and spend 3 months indulging us and you'll be a member. Whatever happens after that? What happens with the person who indeed has a capacity to learn after he goes through the degrees? Nothing.
Our lodges mostly don't have room for continuous education. While we see it set in some grand lodges as part of their operations, some members don't impart the real lessons of freemasonry during the degree process. As one proceeds through the degrees, is the candidate really understanding this enlightenment he seeks more and more of? Or is he in the dark throughout the processes and has no idea what he's seeking and even worse, goes ahead to seek more degrees that end up being fluff because of his lack of a firm foundation?
We owe it to our craft and fraternity to open the door of enlightenment to only those who have the capacity and desire not only to learn, but understand and apply whatever information we give them in the hopes of becoming better men. We owe it to them to begin the process and give them the best education we can while they are going through the degrees and understanding that proficiency is not a matter of just spitting back words, but more than that it's evidence that the brother is prepared to apply the lessons to his person and we can see such lessons making his rough ashlar a little smoother. Finally, we owe ourselves to keep being educated, to read more, to explore more than ritual and bring whatever education we can back to our fraternity to better enable our brethren (both candidates and master masons) to be worthy and support to themselves, their families and society as a whole.
Lux E Tenebris.
February 16, 2014
External, not internal.
George Washington, Harry Truman, Thurgood Marshall, Booker T Washington, etc.
These were famous men who also happened to be masons.
None of these men influenced my decision to become a mason.
However, in these latter days, we find a lot of masons almost digging very deep to find out if any of their favorite personalities were freemasons; some even resorting to lies and deception i.e the case of Martin Luther King Jr (he was not a mason but several people have tied a dedication service by the Grand Lodge of Georgia a few years back to a "posthumous making on sight" which the Grand Master has flatly denied)
That being said, there has also been a case where famous men have been made masons at sight by Grand Masters in recent times. Nelson Mandela, Lionel Richie, Isiah Thomas, Shaquille O'Neal are some of the celebrities made masons instantly by virtue of their celebrity status. The argument of some in support of these things is that it brings attention to our craft and I wonder: is that really what we want? To bring attention of the bright stars to our craft that allegedly espouses its membership qualifications determined by the internal qualities of a man, not vice versa. What do these men really bring into the craft apart from a fat check?
With regards to the constant search and bother to identify some famous men as masons, one could directly relate it to the dearth of characters worth following within the current membership. There is a wide generational gap within the fraternity and within that is a problem with an older generation focused on the financial and political facets of the fraternity leaving the younger ones to finagle through or just sit in desolation as they observe the constant hankering over collars and titles by what are supposed to be their mentors. This results in an ignorant and otherwise uneducated brotherhood whose new members are therefore trying to find role models in the characters of famous men they most identify with, rather than the men in their very own lodge who may or may not possess the same characteristics.
The problem with the quality of membership is not a new one. It has always existed as long as our fraternity. However, the problem now is there is almost a negligence with the concern about not only bringing in quality members but also developing the ones already in it. There should be a concern about bringing in members who a younger generation will look up to and allowing the older generation of masons to develop the characters of said new members. But this seems to be all lost in the constant bickering and in-fighting by those members who have in ego what they lack in character ergo causing members to look elsewhere or look for rejuvenation in shooting stars within our fraternity they can not reach to.
I personally found a few people within my life who I am thankful for their inspiration. Coincidentally they were masons and made me even more interested. Do we still have such influential characters in our fraternity? Are you one of them?
These were famous men who also happened to be masons.
None of these men influenced my decision to become a mason.
However, in these latter days, we find a lot of masons almost digging very deep to find out if any of their favorite personalities were freemasons; some even resorting to lies and deception i.e the case of Martin Luther King Jr (he was not a mason but several people have tied a dedication service by the Grand Lodge of Georgia a few years back to a "posthumous making on sight" which the Grand Master has flatly denied)
That being said, there has also been a case where famous men have been made masons at sight by Grand Masters in recent times. Nelson Mandela, Lionel Richie, Isiah Thomas, Shaquille O'Neal are some of the celebrities made masons instantly by virtue of their celebrity status. The argument of some in support of these things is that it brings attention to our craft and I wonder: is that really what we want? To bring attention of the bright stars to our craft that allegedly espouses its membership qualifications determined by the internal qualities of a man, not vice versa. What do these men really bring into the craft apart from a fat check?
With regards to the constant search and bother to identify some famous men as masons, one could directly relate it to the dearth of characters worth following within the current membership. There is a wide generational gap within the fraternity and within that is a problem with an older generation focused on the financial and political facets of the fraternity leaving the younger ones to finagle through or just sit in desolation as they observe the constant hankering over collars and titles by what are supposed to be their mentors. This results in an ignorant and otherwise uneducated brotherhood whose new members are therefore trying to find role models in the characters of famous men they most identify with, rather than the men in their very own lodge who may or may not possess the same characteristics.
The problem with the quality of membership is not a new one. It has always existed as long as our fraternity. However, the problem now is there is almost a negligence with the concern about not only bringing in quality members but also developing the ones already in it. There should be a concern about bringing in members who a younger generation will look up to and allowing the older generation of masons to develop the characters of said new members. But this seems to be all lost in the constant bickering and in-fighting by those members who have in ego what they lack in character ergo causing members to look elsewhere or look for rejuvenation in shooting stars within our fraternity they can not reach to.
I personally found a few people within my life who I am thankful for their inspiration. Coincidentally they were masons and made me even more interested. Do we still have such influential characters in our fraternity? Are you one of them?
February 4, 2014
Race and the level
"The common gavel in its use is to divest our hearts, minds and consciences of all the vices and superfluities of this world; and that includes bigotry and prejudice." Bro Sidney Kase, PGM, Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Washington F&AM
The above quote was made in 1991 during the memorial of one of my masonic heroes: William H Upton. William H Upton, a past grand master in 1897, was the chairman of the committee that not only recognized that Prince Hall masons were legitimate, but also recommended that the grand lodge recognize the Prince Hall grand lodge of that state. The recommendation was voted on and between 1897-9, there was recognition and visitation between both grand lodges. As you can expect considering that time in America, it caused hell. Many grand lodges threatened to and some actually unrecognized that grand lodge forcing it to change its decision in 1899 and Bro Upton stating he would not want to be given masonic rites unless masons regardless of color dwelled as brothers.
The issue of race is still pertinent in America as it was then as it is now. Race is an intrinsic strand on American life and it even has some of its strains in freemasonry. It was not until almost 100 years after Upton pushed forward his recommendation that Prince Hall Grand Lodges and Non Prince Hall Grand Lodges started to recognize each other and actually stick with it. But even as this is done, many Grand Lodges still refuse to recognize each other and the consensus among most Prince Hall masons is that the antagonism is usually from the other grand lodge, which is not completely correct.
Prince Hall freemasonry has expanded especially in the past 20 years thanks to the proliferation of military lodges in military bases outside the US. Those lodges usually see more diversity within their lodges than back home. However, in these lodges back in the US, there is a very strong and tense antagonism against Prince Hall brothers who are not black american by some of the black american brethren. I have known at least one brother who had the hardest time in being brought in to the fraternity. I have heard of many so-called masters who have declared that as long as they live, no caucasian shall ever enter or be a member of their lodge. I have also seen how at least one caucasian brother was not allowed to pursue his masonic career in one particular body because the older brethren refused to let him in. So, why this hate? Let's explore it a little further.
Like I said in an earlier post, the goals of Prince Hall grand lodges, lodges and indeed masons got lost somewhere down the road as a result of a lack of proper guidance or understanding of the goal of freemasonry. One of such manufactured goals that may have been slightly askew from the goal of character development was one of black nationalism by the predominantly black organization. Particularly during the abolitionist and civil rights era, Prince Hall grand lodges were somewhat activist in their support of both movements. A lot of Prince Hall lodges were venues for abolitionist and civil rights seminars and talks, this was not too bad as the era was filled with the strong strife of slavery and segregation. However with the end of slavery and segregation, some grand lodges have not necessarily moved on from that mode of thinking.
Some grand lodges still contribute to the NAACP legal fund, some still celebrate abolitionist landmarks such as the Emancipation Proclamation. The truth is: while this was ok in the past, it has no place in our modern freemasonry. With the thinking and practice these grand lodges and lodges continue to have, they have encouraged the older (and infact a younger breed as well) brethren to continue their anti-white "pro-black" attitude regarding Prince Hall freemasonry as an exclusively christian black american organization. Some of those racist brothers refuse to accomodate or be open towards men of different races and backgrounds who choose to be Prince Hall masons. Some give the excuse of the actions of the other grand lodge, but when did their actions have anything to do with ours? Aren't we sovereign? Just because there are some that act unmasonic, shall we follow in their steps as well?
The argument of those who say that Prince Hall freemasonry should stay black is as archaic and outdated as colored water fountains. Prince Hall Freemasonry has diversified and allowed for men of different creeds and backgrounds to become one of us. Prince Hall Freemasonry would never have existed if caucasian men didn't see Prince Hall and the 14 others fit enough to be masons based on their race. Certainly would not have existed if the white grand master of the Premier Grand Lodge of England issued Prince Hall the charter for African Lodge #459.
There are many caucasians, muslims, and immigrants who have become Prince Hall masons. It is time to change our mentality and adapt to this diverse and open world we live in and allow our fraternity flourish and grow by becoming more accommodating and inviting to all good men who knock on our doors.
Now...let's talk about the gays...ok, maybe later.
February 2, 2014
Roots
Lately I've been doing a little bit of reading and I just wanted to bring this up:
I have listened to a whole lot of babble by some so-called enlightened men claiming to be masons (they are, but they have any sense). Most of these men mostly babble about how freemasonry descended directly from the Egyptians.
These usually are black Americans who try to hold on strongly to some sort of history that binds them to Africa. As a result of laziness to research and truly study their own histories, they easily absorb the teachings of ignorant pedagogues who sell them the snake oil of "Moorish sciences" often as a result of sheer ignorance mixing up with the still enigmatic Kemetic sciences. Then they through their ignorance and lack of true knowledge want to tie it to freemasonry.
Here is the truth: granted the Egyptians had their mythology and their rites of passage into manhood and enlightenment that are almost similar to what is practiced in freemasonry; however, so did so many other cultures all over the world. For example, the Incas, the Celts, and of course the Persians. These three cultures had little or no interaction with each other in ancient times but they all had within their culture the linked enlightenment processes.
A study of most male initiation rites will show the same themes of transition from one state (darkness, childishness/youth, ignorance) into another state (light, maturity/manhood, enlightenment) usually through the overcoming of pain, fear by (mostly in more traditional or ancient cultures) by a near-fatal experience. This is the theme across the board across all cultures including freemasonry.
So let's the story as what it is and not for what it's not. Speculative freemasonry was organized in the British Isles, deal with it. If you choose to practice it and want to give it a twist of your culture, you are welcome to. Don't chop it up and skew it and remove the true root of speculative freemasonry to make it distorted to all those who truly seek enlightenment. If you have to, don't call it freemasonry and don't affiliate yourself with craft. More importantly, be honest about it. Do not ascribe to it a historic, ancient or mystical root it has nothing to do with.
I have listened to a whole lot of babble by some so-called enlightened men claiming to be masons (they are, but they have any sense). Most of these men mostly babble about how freemasonry descended directly from the Egyptians.
These usually are black Americans who try to hold on strongly to some sort of history that binds them to Africa. As a result of laziness to research and truly study their own histories, they easily absorb the teachings of ignorant pedagogues who sell them the snake oil of "Moorish sciences" often as a result of sheer ignorance mixing up with the still enigmatic Kemetic sciences. Then they through their ignorance and lack of true knowledge want to tie it to freemasonry.
Here is the truth: granted the Egyptians had their mythology and their rites of passage into manhood and enlightenment that are almost similar to what is practiced in freemasonry; however, so did so many other cultures all over the world. For example, the Incas, the Celts, and of course the Persians. These three cultures had little or no interaction with each other in ancient times but they all had within their culture the linked enlightenment processes.
A study of most male initiation rites will show the same themes of transition from one state (darkness, childishness/youth, ignorance) into another state (light, maturity/manhood, enlightenment) usually through the overcoming of pain, fear by (mostly in more traditional or ancient cultures) by a near-fatal experience. This is the theme across the board across all cultures including freemasonry.
So let's the story as what it is and not for what it's not. Speculative freemasonry was organized in the British Isles, deal with it. If you choose to practice it and want to give it a twist of your culture, you are welcome to. Don't chop it up and skew it and remove the true root of speculative freemasonry to make it distorted to all those who truly seek enlightenment. If you have to, don't call it freemasonry and don't affiliate yourself with craft. More importantly, be honest about it. Do not ascribe to it a historic, ancient or mystical root it has nothing to do with.
At the core of every mason is a heart that leads others...
I was a distant witness to two very bad accidents last year.
Both of them I was late to the scene and was observing from a distance.
Both times I saw masons at the center of the accidents comforting the victims and leading the effort to keep the scene sane while emergency services were on the way to the scene. When they arrived, the masons were completely helpful to the emergency crew.
They were not in any masonic outfit, I recognized them. I watched from a distance as they were examples of what freemasonry is all about. They were not looking for attention, they were just fulfilling their roles as men in the community: taking charge.
Those are the kind of men that make other men and boys to become masons, not the community service pictures or the bling and shine of collars and chains. It is by acts like this one wants to emulate what they see: whatever made this man who he is is what I want to become.
That is what makes a mason, at his core, he is a leader and he has a heart to help others. At his core, he is a good man.
We need more of those.
Both of them I was late to the scene and was observing from a distance.
Both times I saw masons at the center of the accidents comforting the victims and leading the effort to keep the scene sane while emergency services were on the way to the scene. When they arrived, the masons were completely helpful to the emergency crew.
They were not in any masonic outfit, I recognized them. I watched from a distance as they were examples of what freemasonry is all about. They were not looking for attention, they were just fulfilling their roles as men in the community: taking charge.
Those are the kind of men that make other men and boys to become masons, not the community service pictures or the bling and shine of collars and chains. It is by acts like this one wants to emulate what they see: whatever made this man who he is is what I want to become.
That is what makes a mason, at his core, he is a leader and he has a heart to help others. At his core, he is a good man.
We need more of those.
False advertising and community service
My dad always told me that charity is doing something and not letting others know about it. I believe there's a verse that said the same thing. I can not remember the verse, so sorry Sunday school teacher.
Anyway, some of our lodges engage in community service activities as a sham. It is almost like a political campaigner I heard of who walked into the soup kitchen, wore gloves an apron, served a couple of guests, took pictures, and then just left. Imagine if this was a lodge doing this?
I know of a lodge that jumped into a community service event hosted by another organization, wore their masonic shirts, took pictures, and then just left. Then they posted pictures as if they too were partners or part of the initiative that that one organization completely organized. That is a huge fraud by so-called upright men.
So it begs the question: why do we do it in the first place? Why do we have to go through all that means just to appear in some cases like our goal is to serve the community?
Maybe in some part, it is due to the almost dictatorial mandates of our GL's (how ironic though, considering the whole "all lodges/grand lodges are sovereign" talk) to make sure their lodges are performing some sort of community service. This forces a lot of members who ordinarily wouldn't be caught in a volunteer position faking it to make the pass grade. I've already mentioned how I think community service is a faux goal of our organization due to complete loss of direction of our internal mandate to help each other by self-improvement through masonic education and character development.
But there''s also an unspoken reason that many lodges not only use community service for and often are very hesitant to get the pictures out there to the world: marketing.
The idea is: if we do community service, people will see us and want to be us. If we put it out there, we can even get a larder audience. This is the biggest crock of bull we can tell ourselves seriously. Public awareness, I can understand on the basis that some lodges primarily gain their funds from the community itself (I've already raised my disapproval of that in an earlier post), but now we have these lodges attempting to almost recruit people in by falsely deceiving them that our organization is some kind of community service organization. Then what happens when that man steps in and finds out that it is more of political bickering and grandstanding than it is about community service?
Charity extends beyond the lines of freemasonry and enters into the finer bounds of humanity: do things out of the graciousness of your own heart. Not all of us are volunteers, and there is no mandate within freemasonry to be such. We are to be kind to our neighbors and charitable, but that should be an individual effort more than anything else. We should not be scared to volunteer our time, if we want to, without having any ulterior motive or ego boosting or whatever. I'd expect all our members to be charitable by nature, but they aren't. That's another story that has more to do with the weakness of our selection and intake process than it does about the selfishness of the human race. Or maybe it's really a good mix of both?
Hmm.
Anyway, some of our lodges engage in community service activities as a sham. It is almost like a political campaigner I heard of who walked into the soup kitchen, wore gloves an apron, served a couple of guests, took pictures, and then just left. Imagine if this was a lodge doing this?
I know of a lodge that jumped into a community service event hosted by another organization, wore their masonic shirts, took pictures, and then just left. Then they posted pictures as if they too were partners or part of the initiative that that one organization completely organized. That is a huge fraud by so-called upright men.
So it begs the question: why do we do it in the first place? Why do we have to go through all that means just to appear in some cases like our goal is to serve the community?
Maybe in some part, it is due to the almost dictatorial mandates of our GL's (how ironic though, considering the whole "all lodges/grand lodges are sovereign" talk) to make sure their lodges are performing some sort of community service. This forces a lot of members who ordinarily wouldn't be caught in a volunteer position faking it to make the pass grade. I've already mentioned how I think community service is a faux goal of our organization due to complete loss of direction of our internal mandate to help each other by self-improvement through masonic education and character development.
But there''s also an unspoken reason that many lodges not only use community service for and often are very hesitant to get the pictures out there to the world: marketing.
The idea is: if we do community service, people will see us and want to be us. If we put it out there, we can even get a larder audience. This is the biggest crock of bull we can tell ourselves seriously. Public awareness, I can understand on the basis that some lodges primarily gain their funds from the community itself (I've already raised my disapproval of that in an earlier post), but now we have these lodges attempting to almost recruit people in by falsely deceiving them that our organization is some kind of community service organization. Then what happens when that man steps in and finds out that it is more of political bickering and grandstanding than it is about community service?
Charity extends beyond the lines of freemasonry and enters into the finer bounds of humanity: do things out of the graciousness of your own heart. Not all of us are volunteers, and there is no mandate within freemasonry to be such. We are to be kind to our neighbors and charitable, but that should be an individual effort more than anything else. We should not be scared to volunteer our time, if we want to, without having any ulterior motive or ego boosting or whatever. I'd expect all our members to be charitable by nature, but they aren't. That's another story that has more to do with the weakness of our selection and intake process than it does about the selfishness of the human race. Or maybe it's really a good mix of both?
Hmm.
Money
In an earlier post, I stated that the primary goals of our organization are character development and leadership training: the former usually leading to the latter. In the pursuit of these goals: bills have to be paid and necessary expenses have to be covered.
The challenge of the 21st century freemason is how do you keep up? In the earlier part of the 20th century, membership was up so was the money. More importantly, for some of our organizations, they were functioning as endowment companies (some still do it now to a smaller scale) so there was an abundance of members in it for the mercenary purpose of life insurance and post-funeral care of their families. The buildings were grand and grotesque and the flashiness was out of this world with public parades and church visitations almost constantly been an ever mentioned activity.
But it's 2014, lodges are selling their old buildings, some toning down on the jewelry because the old ones are "antique" and rusty and the new ones are just too expensive. Some grand lodges can't even afford to pay out all the members on its roster who are currently in endowment plans. There's an urgent need for money and our lodges are using rustic methods to solve modern problems.
You will always hear about the car wash, the pancake breakfast, the fish fry etc. Often you will hear about lodges hosting parties or some kind of events to pay their bills. I think this is a shame. Why are we members of an organization that we can't pay our own bills? Why do we resort to asking a community or a group of people who often times are confused as to who we are or what we do? The financial problems we are facing are new and we need to adapt. So how do we adapt?
1) Streamline expenses and bills. My mother always taught me to sew my coat according to my size, sometimes make it a little smaller. Some of us have lodges that are huge, but only have about 30 people on our roster. Some of our lodges have activities every other month coming out of our pockets.
We need to do an audit and assessment of where our money is going to and how to manage it effectively. What is the most cost-effective way to allow for masonic education and encourage the spirit of our fraternity without having to resort to desperate tactics as begging the community for alms?
2) Increase membership fees. Yes, I said it. We can not be paying the same amount that our fathers paid and expect the rate of inflation not to catch up with us. The bills need to be paid and it is already a hassle for worshipful masters and secretaries to chase around people to pay the flimsy dues our lodges ask for. So is it the amount that is the problem or the people? Often it's the latter, they can afford to throw money on other wasteful things. This is a great way of separating the chaff from the grain. After all, outside the western world, freemasonry still remains the association of the economic middle-class and above. However, my addendum to this is to make it reasonable. The fees can't be too high or too timely that good brothers don't feel a huge weight on their wallets. I can not see why masons shouldn't pay $300/year or less on dues.
However, I truly do believe that this should be done on a lodge by lodge basis after streamlining expenses and bills. This will also mean that our lodges, as a service, have to be worth what we are paying for. Why bother paying such an amount of money to an organization we are not getting anything from?
The challenge of the 21st century freemason is how do you keep up? In the earlier part of the 20th century, membership was up so was the money. More importantly, for some of our organizations, they were functioning as endowment companies (some still do it now to a smaller scale) so there was an abundance of members in it for the mercenary purpose of life insurance and post-funeral care of their families. The buildings were grand and grotesque and the flashiness was out of this world with public parades and church visitations almost constantly been an ever mentioned activity.
But it's 2014, lodges are selling their old buildings, some toning down on the jewelry because the old ones are "antique" and rusty and the new ones are just too expensive. Some grand lodges can't even afford to pay out all the members on its roster who are currently in endowment plans. There's an urgent need for money and our lodges are using rustic methods to solve modern problems.
You will always hear about the car wash, the pancake breakfast, the fish fry etc. Often you will hear about lodges hosting parties or some kind of events to pay their bills. I think this is a shame. Why are we members of an organization that we can't pay our own bills? Why do we resort to asking a community or a group of people who often times are confused as to who we are or what we do? The financial problems we are facing are new and we need to adapt. So how do we adapt?
1) Streamline expenses and bills. My mother always taught me to sew my coat according to my size, sometimes make it a little smaller. Some of us have lodges that are huge, but only have about 30 people on our roster. Some of our lodges have activities every other month coming out of our pockets.
We need to do an audit and assessment of where our money is going to and how to manage it effectively. What is the most cost-effective way to allow for masonic education and encourage the spirit of our fraternity without having to resort to desperate tactics as begging the community for alms?
2) Increase membership fees. Yes, I said it. We can not be paying the same amount that our fathers paid and expect the rate of inflation not to catch up with us. The bills need to be paid and it is already a hassle for worshipful masters and secretaries to chase around people to pay the flimsy dues our lodges ask for. So is it the amount that is the problem or the people? Often it's the latter, they can afford to throw money on other wasteful things. This is a great way of separating the chaff from the grain. After all, outside the western world, freemasonry still remains the association of the economic middle-class and above. However, my addendum to this is to make it reasonable. The fees can't be too high or too timely that good brothers don't feel a huge weight on their wallets. I can not see why masons shouldn't pay $300/year or less on dues.
However, I truly do believe that this should be done on a lodge by lodge basis after streamlining expenses and bills. This will also mean that our lodges, as a service, have to be worth what we are paying for. Why bother paying such an amount of money to an organization we are not getting anything from?
What came you here to do?
I am of the opinion that during our years of speculative freemasonry, we have lost interest on what are goals are and what we are supposed to be doing as a masonic entity.
I once asked a group of masons what they defined as "work" in the masonic context, many yelled out community service and degree-work. I fail to see how that be defined as masonic since I can join any community organization and serve. Moreover, it makes no sense that we call degree-work actual work when some of our lodges are so sloppy with it and even more importantly, most of the men we initiate are leaving with no goodbye notes, but that's another story.
So what do I think the goals of our organization are? Well frankly they are in the answer to the question stated above, if you are familiar with the Preston-Webb version of the ritual of course.
The question of subduing comes into play when within our organization we have a lash of egocentric, greedy and malicious members who turn our great organization into their political playground or pet project for their own means. Some want to turn the organization into an opportunity to "network" with the females in the auxilliary bodies, some want to turn their lodges and masonic bodies into cliques and mini - biker clubs. Some just want to use it as an excuse to leech away money from their organizations into their own bank accounts, some just want it to exercise a lack of power they suffer in the real world and they desperately need a boost of ego. Our goal in freemasonry is to first start with the individual coming in: what are your vices? what are your goals? how do you exercise temperance and prevent yourself delving into the excesses of what your vices afford? Those are the key questions one has to ask to the candidate on entering the temple, because once he has entered, that's another ball game. I have seen so many men change personalities (or rather reveal themselves and their true intentions) as soon as they become masons. Right off the petition, these men need to be properly examined so we can ensure that their passions are within control of themselves and they don't drag our organization down because of their excesses.
Now what can this organization do to the good man with controllable vices who wishes to become better? Why...with the lessons our craft teaches, any good man can become better. That is the truth. The questions are: are these lessons being taught to the man not only as he tries to enter the temple but while he is in it? is he able to understand and interpret what is being taught to him through the metaphors and allegories of freemasonry? Most importantly, does he have the ability, willingness and desire to apply these lessons he has learned into his own life? Is he a shining example of an imperfect man sieving away his impurities in order to become a more perfect person under the sight of God to his family and his community?
At the end of the day, the goal of our fraternity is far from just being a community service organization ( there are many organizations that do that ). Our goals within this organization are primarily character development and leadership training using the allegories the craft provides and the structure it allows so that its members can be more responsible members of the community.
I once asked a group of masons what they defined as "work" in the masonic context, many yelled out community service and degree-work. I fail to see how that be defined as masonic since I can join any community organization and serve. Moreover, it makes no sense that we call degree-work actual work when some of our lodges are so sloppy with it and even more importantly, most of the men we initiate are leaving with no goodbye notes, but that's another story.
So what do I think the goals of our organization are? Well frankly they are in the answer to the question stated above, if you are familiar with the Preston-Webb version of the ritual of course.
The question of subduing comes into play when within our organization we have a lash of egocentric, greedy and malicious members who turn our great organization into their political playground or pet project for their own means. Some want to turn the organization into an opportunity to "network" with the females in the auxilliary bodies, some want to turn their lodges and masonic bodies into cliques and mini - biker clubs. Some just want to use it as an excuse to leech away money from their organizations into their own bank accounts, some just want it to exercise a lack of power they suffer in the real world and they desperately need a boost of ego. Our goal in freemasonry is to first start with the individual coming in: what are your vices? what are your goals? how do you exercise temperance and prevent yourself delving into the excesses of what your vices afford? Those are the key questions one has to ask to the candidate on entering the temple, because once he has entered, that's another ball game. I have seen so many men change personalities (or rather reveal themselves and their true intentions) as soon as they become masons. Right off the petition, these men need to be properly examined so we can ensure that their passions are within control of themselves and they don't drag our organization down because of their excesses.
Now what can this organization do to the good man with controllable vices who wishes to become better? Why...with the lessons our craft teaches, any good man can become better. That is the truth. The questions are: are these lessons being taught to the man not only as he tries to enter the temple but while he is in it? is he able to understand and interpret what is being taught to him through the metaphors and allegories of freemasonry? Most importantly, does he have the ability, willingness and desire to apply these lessons he has learned into his own life? Is he a shining example of an imperfect man sieving away his impurities in order to become a more perfect person under the sight of God to his family and his community?
At the end of the day, the goal of our fraternity is far from just being a community service organization ( there are many organizations that do that ). Our goals within this organization are primarily character development and leadership training using the allegories the craft provides and the structure it allows so that its members can be more responsible members of the community.
October 13, 2013
Is there no help?
Just wanted to say this before I get into the main point of this post: I honestly believe we need to pay more attention to our mental health than our physical health. If you look at the tragedies of late, you'd have noticed a lot of these terrible tragedies could have been prevented if we had a real way of dealing with patients of mental health. Drug abuse, substance abuse, PTSD, etc are all mental conditions and they need to be treated by licensed professionals. The problem is that there are too many of these professionals who are too quick to prescribe you on some medication and send you on your way, or the costs of seeking such help is too high. Hopefully with the healthcare reform, this can be addressed. In the meantime we suffer from a society that has a relatively low priority and even a stigma on those who suffer from mental health conditions. They are not any different from me and you, they just need a little bit more help. And for those like me who suffer or have suffered with such mental ailments, please do not ignore the signs. Go seek proper help.
Now that I've got that out the way, let me bring it to the context of freemasonry.
A while ago, I read about a brother who committed murder-suicide. He left a note that got me thinking what the real purpose of our fraternity is. In the past year, I have talked to many brothers who have been through a lot: job loss, financial troubles, child custody troubles, marriage trouble, divorce trouble, drug abuse problems, alcohol problems etc. These brothers confided to me about in secret and in confidence, but I wonder: why not address this in front of a lodge of your so-called "brothers"?
Trust me, I have had my share of being in front of that altar asking for help, and got chewed out. Granted I understand their mindset at that point in time, but at that time I needed help. I've not gone in front of a lodge or asked my lodge for help ever since. I'm sure there are many with similar stories, and hopefully they won't go to the extent as our brother in California did.
So at the end of the day, if we can not follow up with what we learned on getting raised as Master Masons and be our own brothers keeper, then my question is: what is the use of our fraternity? If we can not call on a brother for help or at least a listening ear, or some wise words of counsel, or just a person who can hear our deepest thoughts without judgment or reservation, what are we in this fraternity for?
What is the purpose of "making good men better" if we can't help good men who go through bad times? What is the essence of calling another man a brother if I can't treat him as such? What do I gain from a lodge that wants to disavow me when I go through troubles even when I have invested in it so much with all that i have got? What use is it if I can't call a brother a friend?
Some of us get lost in the battle of politics, titles and the social superficialities that embellish our fraternity and often forget about one basic principle: we are our brother's keeper. We need to start raising not just masons, but brothers. We need to start reaching out and keeping our brothers close. We need to make our lodges closer and more intimate than the lodges of 200 people with only 10 people showing up. We need to make our bonds between ourselves and our families closer. That's what we really need to do: be our own support.
As men, we are more inclined to secluding ourselves in times of trouble: internalizing our frustrations and hardships and troubles and dealing with them in our heads. As much as we need to move forward and fix things, we need to learn how to have a healthy outlet. We need to learn to find those people around us who can help us become better and help us and be our pillars when we are weak. We need brothers, not masons. We need to start making them. We need to start becoming one.
Now that I've got that out the way, let me bring it to the context of freemasonry.
A while ago, I read about a brother who committed murder-suicide. He left a note that got me thinking what the real purpose of our fraternity is. In the past year, I have talked to many brothers who have been through a lot: job loss, financial troubles, child custody troubles, marriage trouble, divorce trouble, drug abuse problems, alcohol problems etc. These brothers confided to me about in secret and in confidence, but I wonder: why not address this in front of a lodge of your so-called "brothers"?
Trust me, I have had my share of being in front of that altar asking for help, and got chewed out. Granted I understand their mindset at that point in time, but at that time I needed help. I've not gone in front of a lodge or asked my lodge for help ever since. I'm sure there are many with similar stories, and hopefully they won't go to the extent as our brother in California did.
So at the end of the day, if we can not follow up with what we learned on getting raised as Master Masons and be our own brothers keeper, then my question is: what is the use of our fraternity? If we can not call on a brother for help or at least a listening ear, or some wise words of counsel, or just a person who can hear our deepest thoughts without judgment or reservation, what are we in this fraternity for?
What is the purpose of "making good men better" if we can't help good men who go through bad times? What is the essence of calling another man a brother if I can't treat him as such? What do I gain from a lodge that wants to disavow me when I go through troubles even when I have invested in it so much with all that i have got? What use is it if I can't call a brother a friend?
Some of us get lost in the battle of politics, titles and the social superficialities that embellish our fraternity and often forget about one basic principle: we are our brother's keeper. We need to start raising not just masons, but brothers. We need to start reaching out and keeping our brothers close. We need to make our lodges closer and more intimate than the lodges of 200 people with only 10 people showing up. We need to make our bonds between ourselves and our families closer. That's what we really need to do: be our own support.
As men, we are more inclined to secluding ourselves in times of trouble: internalizing our frustrations and hardships and troubles and dealing with them in our heads. As much as we need to move forward and fix things, we need to learn how to have a healthy outlet. We need to learn to find those people around us who can help us become better and help us and be our pillars when we are weak. We need brothers, not masons. We need to start making them. We need to start becoming one.
Prince Hall: A man with initiative
Two weeks ago, Prince Hall masons all over the world celebrated the 229th anniversary of the issuance of the charter of African Lodge #459. All throughout September, Prince Hall masons may have had processions and parades, decked out in their usual masonic regalia. They must have marched up into their churches (I can't understand why we have to celebrate such a day in churches instead of lodge halls, but I digress) and listened to their Grand Officers and Church clergymen talk loud and throw out so many masonic references and anecdotes that one may just need to replay the speech from the last year and not need to attend the one this year.
With the Prince Hall story, there are lot of misinformation and falsities that has been spread from the time of Joshua Woodlin to William Grimshaw to every other ignorant brother who has failed to pick up a copy of either of two books by Charles Wesley or Joseph Walkes or articles like this on the Phylaxis website. There's the fable most older members misinform newer members relating events that happened in 1773-4 to something that happened in 1784. Once again, I digressed. It is always annoying every year the same misinformation gets spread especially into the minds of novice and younger members who are too lazy to do their own due diligence and research.
Anyway, where was I?
So on September 29, 1784, Prince Hall received a charter from the Premier Grand Lodge of England (Moderns) to practice Freemasonry in its full form. But how did this come about?
We recall that on March 6, 1775, Prince Hall and fourteen other men of color were raised in an Irish Constitution Lodge on Castle Island. Now these men were given a dispensation to just do really two things: bury their dead, and march on St. John's day. THAT WAS IT!
Anyone who knows freemasonry should know that this is not all we do as masons. I'm quite sure Prince Hall was aware of the fact seeing as neighboring lodges were conferring degrees and travelling to other lodges and what not.
So what did Prince Hall and those masons of African Lodge do? They were not going to be complacent by being called masons alone, they were going to search and sojourn and work for the right to become masons in full: taking advantage of all the full benefits of being a mason and not just showing off in their masonic regalia in public without doing any work.
That initiative to be more than a mason by name led to Prince Hall writing letters to a Worshipful Master in England by the name of William Moody. By his help and liaison with Wm Moody and persistence in his follow-up with him before and after the issuance of the charter (there was an unknown delay in Prince Hall receiving the charter for 3 years, but that's another story) Prince Hall and those brothers of now African Lodge #459 were better enabled armed with their tools and a proper dispensation to work and over 200 years later, Prince Hall masons are still at work courtesy of the initiative and drive of Prince Hall and those masons of #459.
So, what can we learn from the Prince Hall story?
Prince Hall and those men of #459 were men with initiative. They knew that freemasonry was a wide world outside of the confines of what their grand lodge had squeezed them into and dictated they do. They were more than that and they knew it. They fought their way into getting a charter and defending that charter for the purpose of exploring the wide world of freemasonry. A wide world that would eventually spread literally all over the globe with Prince Hall Lodges from Hawaii round to Japan.
We have grown too complacent in being masons by name alone. We'd rather just march in public and wear regalia and look pretty but not do what it takes to expand our knowledge. We should garner some initiative and travel as far and as wide as we can gaining knowledge. We should fight to remove restrictions set forth by our lodges and grand lodges that impede our expansion. We should foster and go forth and teach our members the real story of Prince Hall Freemasonry. We should give them the motivation to go out there and find out new knowledge and research on their own. We should be working men building up each other and making our community better by our existence. We should have some initiative to prosper and expand outside the little constrictive world we call Prince Hall Freemasonry. Freemasonry in itself is a universal fraternity, we should explore our masonic universe.
That is what I think Prince Hall's story teaches us.
October 6, 2013
Masonic Pet Peeves
I hate being called "square". Why don't you call me plumb or level? Why square? Who taught us that stupid stuff?
I hate seeing brothers talk and garble on some fluff. You see it all the time in forums as well as in person. Brothers practicing for the title of the MOST WORSHIPFUL MASTER OF THE GRAND LODGE OF THEIR MINDS. It's almost as if they shouldn't even bother talking because when you have to write a summary of the 20 minute or 100-word garble they just uttered, it might just end up being..."I don't know what in the hell he was talking about"
I hate seeing brothers think that freemasonry is the "Father of all BGLO's" They need to do their research and stop talking about what they don't know. Seriously, they need to shut up.
I hate being a witness to poor ritual. Even if it's just a mis-step, I shriek, and I grind my teeth, and my OCD kicks in to correct that mis-step immediately. I thought this was a behavior reserved only for Past Masters...
I hate seeing brothers throw the "L". Technically your thumb and your index finger make an L, not a square. Your thumb is not the same length as your finger (or you're just weird). Moreso, it goes back to the "square" reference. Who was the idiot who invented that? Furthermore, are we some sort of gang? Why do younger people (in particular black people) feel the need to always represent everything they are?
I hate gaudy show off of masonic paraphernalia. I just have an old masonic t-shirt, and small items (such as a ring, a lapel pin and a wrist band) which I wear sparingly. Brothers try to "shine" with wearing jackets with 20 or 30 masonic symbols on them. They drive around with their rear view mirrors almost covered in masonic emblems. Is all that really necessary? Our foreign brothers have way more discretion because of their environment. I do wish we followed their lead and not be so showy.
Finally, I hate the politics. Many times I sit in a convention or meeting or program were a man (typically a high officer of some sort) makes a speech and the next 3-3 million speakers right behind him tell us how great his speech was and how great the man is and how honored he is to be a friend of his and yadda yadda. I hate that simple things that could possibly uplift the craft and the fraternity are subject to the egos, envy and eventual sabotage from such politically enabled men. It's just sad to see how some can't put everything all aside and get on a level and avoid the political rubbish and get things done. I understand with any organization or hierarchy of people, politics is a necessary evil, but this is freemasonry, you sort of expect more, but you get less. It's sad and it hurts and gets on my last nerves.
October 1, 2013
3-letter or 4-letter 5-letters
FAM AFAM FAAYM
All these letters have been used to describe Prince Hall Grand Lodges at one point or the other in the history of Prince Hall Freemasonry. Yet, we still have a lot of ill-informed brothers using the “3-letter, 4-letter” system to determine the Masonic legitimacy of Grand Lodges. Is that correct? The broad answer is no, but there are exceptions which would be discussed later.
Firstly, let us discuss the “3-letter, 4-letter” drama in more detail. The comparison is between the F&AM Grand Lodges and the Grand Lodges tagged as AF&AM, but where do these letters come from?
The story starts about 1717 when the “Premier Grand Lodge of England” was formed (popularly known as the Moderns). The Most Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons was formed in England beginning the realm of speculative freemasonry as we know it today. This Grand Lodge is the same grand lodge that will about 60 years later grant Prince Hall and several other colored masons of Boston a charter to warrant a lodge (African Lodge #459), the lodge effectively beginning the class of Prince Hall Freemasonry that is popular not only within the continental United States but all over the world. I digress.
In 1751, due to a schism (probably caused as a result of cultural differences between English masons and those of Irish and Scottish descent), another Grand Lodge was formed as the Grand Lodge in London of Free and Accepted Masons According to the Old Institution popularly known as the “Antients”. That Grand Lodge went ahead chartering various lodges including some in the United States of America.
They both merged in 1813 to form the United Grand Lodge of England, however the damage of the rift was done. Between 1717 and 1813, many lodges were formed in the United States that were either from modern or antient descent. As a result of the revolutionary war , a lot of these lodges lost contact with their English mother grand lodges and forming their own grand lodges holding their affiliations according to their lineage. So, for example the Grand lodge of Pennsylvania was AF&AM while a Grand Lodge of NY was F&AM.
Now, here’s the twist: Prince Hall Grand Lodges, for some reason, have a different history with regards to the use of F&AM, AF&AM etc. I have seen more than one grand lodge use it interchangeably over their history. Some chose to use F&AM because the charter to form African Lodge came from the “Moderns” Grand Lodge of England while some other GL’s followed the way of AF&AM due to Prince Hall being raised by the Irish (Antients). Also, one less told story about Prince Hall freemasonry was the formation of the National Grand Lodge of North America (Compact Masons) in 1847 which used the FAAYM tag. However, this Grand Lodge was officially dissolved in 1877, and all the Prince Hall Grand Lodges around the country all agreed around 1944 to use the tag of F&AM. Therefore, one can conclude that currently ALL regular Prince Hall grand lodges use the tag of F&AM.
However, like I said, there are exceptions. These exceptions are the clandestines e.g IFAAM (internationals) MFAM (Modern free) and the JGJ Grand Lodges (that inappropriately tag themselves as AF&AM). Bro Antoine Lilly did an awesome presentation on clandestine freemasonry which can be viewed here.
At the end of the day, the legitimacy of a grand lodge should never be determined by the number of letters tagged at the suffix of the grand lodge, rather by their lineage to regular masonic lodges or grand lodges originating from the Grand Lodge of England. We need to completely abandon the “3-Letter, 4-Letter” point as it’s completely incorrect.
July 19, 2013
My interpretation of the Masonic Structure
For years, many non-masons (and masons alike) have learned to use one or both of the images above as a means to describe masonic advancement per the various degrees that exist within freemasonry. As one may have noticed, there are a lot of organizations and degrees within the masonic body. Some have been described as adoptive, appendant, concordant etc.
In general, these structures somehow give a false impression which a lot of masons have carried on for years. An example of a false perception is this: being a 32 mason is higher than being a 3 mason. That is completely laughable, but it is a common misinformation spread not only among the profanes, but also masons alike.
These images have done a huge disservice in regards to properly educating all about the true structure of freemasonry, which is no secret. Perhaps it was just laziness that prevented anyone from making an accurate graphic depicting the structure of just the concordant bodies (appendants, allied etc are a different story since some are about to do away with masonic requirements anyway). Some have improperly categorized all those degrees and bodies that are above the third degree within the graphic as "higher degrees". Henry Wilson Coil in his Masonic Encyclopedia supports my conclusion when he said "Some oppose the term high degrees, because they dislike the implication that the Master's degree is not the highest, but the name is simple and convenient and its long usage would seem to preclude any possibility of avoiding it"
Laziness for short. I know people who walk around answering to titles longer than the first and last names of all their family put together.
In response to this problem of a masonic structure graphic, for a long time I have described it as some form of T-shape structure were regardless of where you are on either the scottish rite or the york rite or both: you are never higher than that of the master mason. Of course, I'm sure my brothers in the York Rite would disagree for reasons only known to master masons, but I'll say this: get suspended from your local lodge and see how your masonic portfolio comes crashing down...all the so-called "higher degrees" and all.
Anyway, I finally decided to put the graphic from my brain into a simple digital format all can see and review.
As you can see, there is no degree higher than that of a master mason according to it. What I have done also, according to my T-theory, is to extend the branch for both concordant rites. The more you advance on each side, the more detailed you are and the more knowledge you get a hold of. But in everything, we all meet on the same level. Sometimes that lesson flies above the heads of some of us.
What do you think?
May 10, 2013
Perception is reality
I always taught at a young age to "never judge a book by its cover". I have found out over the past week that this mantra, like many mantras I was taught in my childhood, is absolute rubbish.
Take a look around you, a credit score (regardless of inquiry into your financial situation) is used to determine if you're good enough for a car or a loan, a 2-3 page essay is often used to determine if you're good enough to attend a higher institution, a 15-20 minute interview is used to determine if you'll be a good fit for a company...there's a lot of judgment by perception going around in our society.
In ourperfect fraternity, we have ways to clear all doubt and ensure we are looking at the reality of a situation not its perception. .The concept is simply termed "due diligence", however this concept is lost on most of us. Investigation committees don't investigate, a brother is raised and brothers around do not choose to get to know a brother, but instead they judge him by his actions. They don't try to understand his background, his way of thinking, etc. They hear things, they don't try to ascertain for themselves and check facts, instead blindly believing what they hear.
That's just one of the shames of human nature that's brought into our fraternity. It is quite disappointing and I will confess that I am also a guilty party of this offense. But like I said it is human nature, one of my masonic mentors said it best "If every time I meet Gabe he's drunk, naturally I will assume he's an alcoholic. No matter what recommendations are made of him, my recommendation would be that he's a drunk"
My first college roommate taught me a saying about folks who make assumptions, but in the world we live in, that's just the reality of you and me. We just have to make sure we are making a good presentations of ourselves. It's something to strive to but often I imagine it may lead to a loss of self, and that bothers me because I like myself. However, in order to gain some things in life or go a far while, you have to lose some of yourself.
Take a look around you, a credit score (regardless of inquiry into your financial situation) is used to determine if you're good enough for a car or a loan, a 2-3 page essay is often used to determine if you're good enough to attend a higher institution, a 15-20 minute interview is used to determine if you'll be a good fit for a company...there's a lot of judgment by perception going around in our society.
In our
That's just one of the shames of human nature that's brought into our fraternity. It is quite disappointing and I will confess that I am also a guilty party of this offense. But like I said it is human nature, one of my masonic mentors said it best "If every time I meet Gabe he's drunk, naturally I will assume he's an alcoholic. No matter what recommendations are made of him, my recommendation would be that he's a drunk"
My first college roommate taught me a saying about folks who make assumptions, but in the world we live in, that's just the reality of you and me. We just have to make sure we are making a good presentations of ourselves. It's something to strive to but often I imagine it may lead to a loss of self, and that bothers me because I like myself. However, in order to gain some things in life or go a far while, you have to lose some of yourself.
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