BRO. VINCENT, I agree with you statements about race/ethinicity. RACE is a fairly modern term; However, ETHNICITY/LAND OF ORIGIN was how the ancients were referred to, and this included their country of origin, as well as their physical characteristics. Historians throughout the ages have always noted the differences in physical characteristics as explorers "discovered" (I LOVE THAT TERM) lands that were new TO THEM.
Also, "Blackness" has not mattered until the last two Centuries because that particular terminology was not used among the Ancients. People of Color were usually referred to by their land of origin, i.e., Ethiopians, Hittites, Moabites, Philistines, Phoenicians, Egyptians, Sumerians, Mesopotamians, etc., as were other people, however, the differences were most definitely observed and noted by the Scribes/Historians of every era............As Americans, our Country is the most COLOR CONSCIOUS IN THE WORLD.........We made race a major issue during the Transatlantic Slave Trade, on through the Jim Crow Era, and even TODAY IN MASONRY------LOOK AT THE 9 SOUTHERN STATES THAT EITHER DON'T RECOGNIZE PHA MASONRY, NOR ALLOW INTERVISITATION..........It aint just coincidence, Brethren.......It's RACE, PREJUDICE, PRECONCEIVED NOTIONS, STEREOTYPING, MISCONCEPTIONS, MISEDUCATION, AND THE LIST GOES ON...........and both sides could be blamed for its continued hindrance in our PROGRESSION AS A BROTHERHOOD.
ALL THE MORE REASON FOR FELLOWSHIP AND INTERVISITATION AMONG THOSE WHO CONSIDER THEMSELVES MORE AS REAL MASONS AND BROTHERS AND LESS AS "MEMBERS OF AN ORGANIZATION".........JUST MY TWO CENTS..........
BRO VINCENT C. JONES, SR., BAYOU CITY LODGE #228
PRINCE HALL AFFILIATION, FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONRY, HOUSTON, TEXAS
MOST WORSHIPFUL PRINCE HALL GRAND LODGE OF TEXAS