I just read a posting about the perceptions of Freemasons and the alleged exclusions of minorities from the organisation. Right on the welcome page of the Freemason are pictures of only people of the Aryan race. Indeed I have yet to come across a black Freemason in the US.
I want to believe that, because of the secrecy of the society, minorities in the fraternity do not reveal themselves as most members do not. If there are minorities, how come at least, a clue is not given to indicate it.
Notwithstanding the above concern, I believe in honourable secret societies like the Freemasons to safeguard the general populace from abuse from the powerful in soceity. My late dad belonged to a fraternity and he was devoted to it.
I am black and how can the Freemasons assure me that it is safe to join the fraternity and feel welcome?
The only assurance I can give you that a black man is welcome in our fraternity is to let you know that throughout the state of Massachusetts, and in lodges across the country, there are men of all races who are Masons. Beyond that, I doubt there’s much that can be said in writing that will help convince you. I would encourage you to talk or visit with a lodge near you and let their actions speak for themselves.
On Saturday, October 18th we will be holding a state-wide Open House and welcoming the public in all of our buildings. It would be a very good opportunity to meet with some Masons in an informal setting.
-Robert
I’m not in Mass., but the lodge I’ve joined is more non-white than white, at least judging from all the guys I have met so far. I am white and it doesn’t bother me me at all. Freemasonry exists all over the world, so the point is that you should recognize brothers from around the world and from different cultures/ethnic groups. Mine is a diverse lodge and race has not at all been brought-up or seemingly a concern. So that’s at least one thing you should know.
I can assure you, that Masonry is a non-racial organization. There is no racial or ethnic component involved in the Gentle Craft. I have visited lodges in 12 states, Washington DC, and four foreign countries. I have visited lodges, where the Worshipful Master (chapter president) was an African-American gentleman.
Masonry accepts men of all various racial and ethnic backgrounds. I have visited lodges, where the membership was composed of men from the Phillippines, men of Hispanic backgrounds, and other Asian and Pacific Island men.
Masonry is growing fast in Southern California, especially among the Hispanic and Asian/pacific Island population.
Thank you cemaby49 and sanborn90 for your reply and assurances. I can assure you that each assurance I read brings me closer to the Freemasons. You should hear of me soon after visiting the various houses during Open Day in Massachusetts.
Richard
I just recently completed Ambassador training in Marlboro. There were brothers from all over the state, And I can attest that there were many minorities there. There is no racial barrier to becomming a mason. Only that you believe in God, and are a man of good standing and good moral character.
If only Tom Brady and Matt Cassel were on the cover of the Patriots yearbook, would that mean that there are no black players on the team?
I happened to be there the day that these photos were taken for this website. Only guys who happened to be around that day had their photos taken. Not all of the photos were used. The fact that the men in the photos all appear to be white is merely because those were the people on hand to be photographed that day.
Oh, and as an aside, our lodge has at least 5 black members, and that is just one lodge out of many. I’m referring to a regular Masonic lodge now, not a Prince Hall Lodge. To echo the dreams of Dr. King, we should all be judged not on the color of our skin, but on the content of our character. Freemasonry holds such an idea as a principle of equality and brotherhood.
To Dzifman.
I just finished my 1st degree work on 1-20-2010 and after-words in a welcoming line up i was welcomed into the light by a black gentle man. He had held a chair before in the lodge. Seeing as your post was in 2008, have you petitioned yet?
Dzifman, I think I owe it to you to be frank about a situation in Maryland, where I live, and may also be a concern in other areas.
The Grand Lodge of AF&AM; of Maryland and the Prince Hall Grand Lodge F&AM; of Maryland concluded an agreement which resulted in each recognizing the other about 15 years ago. The PH Grand Lodge was greatly concerned that men of color might begin joining the GLAF&AM; rather than Prince Hall lodges, so it was agreed that we would not allow visitations between lodges or members to the other jurisdiction or actively encourage men of color to join our lodges, although we will not bar or actively discourage them. There are men of color in our lodges; I have sat in lodge and Grand Lodge with them, and they are as welcome as any other member. The PH grand lodge officers visit our GL annual communication and are welcomed along with the visitors from other grand lodges. At our last GL communication, the PH Grand Master addressed us and received a standing ovation for a very cordial and thoughtful message beautifully composed and delivered.
You have to sympathize with the Prince Hall GL attitude. They are not as numerous or as well-financed as the traditional lodges and GL. They meet in a large and beautiful 100 year old building (formerly a synagogue) which must be very expensive to maintain. If I were a member of a PH lodge, I too would be worried about losing potential members to the traditional lodges. We walk a very cautious line here, to avoid offending or harming the Prince Hall Grand Lodge. We want to help them and work with them. It’s working, and the relationship between the two grand lodges is a good one, if just a bit at arms length. We look forward to the day when the PH grand lodge is totally secure and confident that there can be no competition between us for members; then we can drop all the temporary restrictions and enjoy total mutual brotherhood. Then we can maybe address working with the two or three other small grand lodges in Baltimore which are composed of black men and which the Prince Hall GL does not recognize at present.
This entire forum is full of fantastic topics and dissuasions; this being another one. Freemasonry has no racial boundary today. The continued existence of Prince Hall Masonry continues due to it’s rich tradition and heritage, but…
Wouldn’t it be nice to see conglomerative Masonic Lodges erected to unify the parallel practices?
One might argue that Prince Halls existance promotes segregation, but I’m almost certain that a Petitioner to a Prince Hall lodge can be ANY race. Nonetheless, the eventual unification of these parallels will come in it’s own time when its ready to.
Hello all, I just had a quick question whats the difference between Prince hall Masonry and freemasonry ?? And is prince hall masonry respected and recognized widely as freemasonry or no ?
Additionally, I would add that in most parts of the country, Prince Hall Masons and regular Freemasons extend recognition to each other. We attend each other’s meetings, and treat each other as brothers.
Understand that a black man does NOT have to join Prince Hall Masonry. There are plenty of men of all ethnic backgrounds in regular Masonic lodges. It would be an individual choice whether or not he would want to join a Prince Hall lodge, but doing so would extend to him recognition as a regular Mason in this jurisdiction.
It can certainly be confusing as to why Prince Hall Masonry would exist if regular Freemasonry admits black men, so I explain it like this.
There was a darker time in our nation’s history when black men were not looked upon as equals to whites. During this time, imagine if a separate restaurant was built for black people only. Over the years, black men came to love this restaurant and became used to the menu, the decor, the staff. Years later, when ignorance started to wain and black men were allowed to dine at the same restaurants as whites, the restaurant for blacks only was still very popular. The men were no longer dining there because it was the only option available, but because it had become an institution to them. Therefore while they are welcome to dine at any restaurant, they prefer their old one for many reasons.
This is how I view Prince Hall Masonry. It was born out of necessity but lives on due to proud traditions. I applaud this, and while it is a shame that it ever had to be, many rich traditions are born from unfortunate circumstances.
Dan, thank u very much for that information!! Now I understand and that was actually a very good analogy that u used of the restaurant!!! I was wondering why it was even created and now I understand!! :) I have been thinking about joining a fraternity and just tryin to get more information. I have one more question is it true that prince hall masonry created the black college greek fraternities ie. Alpha phi alpha, omega psi phi, kappa alpha psi, etc. ?? This is probably not the right forum for that question! :)
I’m doubtful that Alpha Phi Alpha or any other Greek letter organization was formed “by” a Princh Hall Grand Lodge, because why would a fraternity for men create ANOTHER fraternity for men? However, it is possible that there might have been individual Masons who assisted in creating the group. That is more likely.
I know my college fraternity degree work has many similarities to Masonic ritual, too many to be a coincidence, so I’m pretty sure some of the founding fathers were Masons, but I wouldn’t say that Masonry started my college fraternity.
