Brother Hipcat science, you appear to be a knowledgable brother, with the perspective you presented regarding Freemasonry and racism.....However, I must provide some LIGHT for you, in regard to the portion of the post in which you speak on "classcism". You posed a question as to why classcism is so pervasive among African American Masons. If you'll lend me an attentive ear, I will give you my insight.
I, too, am also a proud member of a Black Greek Letter Collegiate Fraternity. I am a Spring 1989 Initiate of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, and pledged 12 weeks to EARN the right to WORK for, share bonds with Brothers within, and represent this Fraternity that I love dearly. My Chapter has a Charter issued by the National Organization, and operates to this day under Key #453, the MU NU Chapter, chartered April 24, 1976. It is recognized by our National Organization as a legitimate Undergraduate Chapter at an accredited institution of Higher Learning. As a true student of history like yourself, I aspired to become a Freemason once I discovered the ties that my Founders had to Prince Hall Freemasonry. I decided to become a Mason, and eventually became initiated, passed, and raised in what is known as a Black Four Letter Lodge here in Houston, Texas. (Mt. Sinai Grand Lodge)
Like you, I pursued this TRUTH due to the love I have for history, philosophy, and esoteric teaching. A good friend of mine who happened to be a Prince Hall Mason, spoke with me shortly after I was raised, and strongly encouraged me to research the lineage of my Grand Lodge, in order to ascertain whether or not it had ties to the UGLE. After two years of research, all I got were incomplete answers from the Brothers, who referred me to a certain Brother from another State that appeared to be very knowledgable in the Craft and "our" history in the Grand Lodge and Jurisdiction. I never discovered any ties to the UGLE, nor did I confirm any OFFICIAL RECOGNITION of our Grand Lodge by the Grand Lodge of Texas, or the MW Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Texas.
I felt restless, upset, and, in a way, taken for granted. I had been an honest, hard working, dues paying member of this Grand Lodge for nearly three years, ($300/year) had memorized the Ritual which we studied (Lester's Look To The East), begun teaching newly initiated Brethren, and also read any and every source of esoteric teaching that I could obtain. However, as my Prince Hall friend patiently and gently reminded me, all of the titles, offices, regalia, and even the knowledge I pursued through my Grand Lodge would not mean anything, if I were UNABLE to receive the REAL "rights, lights, and benefits" of this Craft in a regular and recognized Lodge.
He was speaking of my affiliation with a duly constituted Lodge, with a Charter or Warrant issued by a RECOGNIZED and competent body, which empowers me to WORK. The "Prince Hall vs 4 Letter" debate within the Black Community did not evolve from "classcism" as you allege, Brother, but from greed, deceipt, and abuses of power among Men who chose to exploit the ignorance of their Fellow Man in the mid-19th Century. Obviously, Black Men in America were NOT welcome to join predominantly White Lodges in that era, and racism was the clear rationale and reasoning behind this. The Black Man and his Prince Hall Masonry was considered "clandestine", not because it didn't meet the requirements as stated in the Landmarks, and notwithstanding the CHARTER received from the Premier Grand Lodge of England in 1787 which empowered African Lodge #459 to practice REGULAR Masonry, but simply because of the mindset of that time toward newly freed or first generation freed Men of Color here in America.
There were Black Men at that time who were traveling from State to State, conferring degrees on Black Men, making them Masons on sight for an agreed upon fee. There were also Prince Hall Masons that had been EXPELLED from the Order, who continually conferred degrees on Men AND FORMED LODGES FOR THOSE MEN eager to join what they thought was the premier bond of Brotherhood among Free Black Men at that time. These so-called Grand Lodges, styled as "Ancient Free and Accepted", had NO ties to the UGLE, and were NOT recognized as regular by either the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the particular State, nor the Mainstream GL.
This evolved into all forms of what is known as clandestine, or even Bogus Masonry in the Black Community. For example, "Five Letter" masonry, otherwise known as International Modern and Free, is set up as a corporation, has a "Supreme Grand Master" who styles himself as a "CEO", and PAYS members for RECRUITING new members, something which a REAL LODGE OF FREEMASONRY WOULD NEVER DO. The age old adage of "we're all brothers", or "the information is all the same", or even "would you assist this Brother if he were in distress?" are all common questions asked by 4 or 5 Letter Brothers, as they question the Prince Hall Brother's reluctance to recognize his form of Masonry as that which is recognized and has a documented lineage to the UGLE. I took an obligation to a Craft which supports assisting any Man in need, if within my ability to do so.
It has NOTHING to do with classcism, and everything to do with what is recognized as adherence to Landmarks, Constitutions and By-Laws, and Oaths of Allegiance taken by Prince Hall Brothers in every Jurisdiction. It isn't an adherence that possesses hostility, racism, classcism, or even egotism.......It is an adherence to something that was not CREATED by Brother Prince Hall, but rather BESTOWED upon him and 14 other Men by Sgt. J D Batt of an Irish Military Lodge Foot Regiment, working under Charter issued by the Grand Lodge of Ireland. It was this "something" that earned Prince Hall the right to ask for and receive the Charter for African Lodge #459, which is the foundation of a form of Masonry which the UGLE has determined is regular in practice. Each and EVERY Prince Hall Affiliated (PHA) Lodge can tie their lineage back to this particular Lodge.
I generated this correspondence in an effort to enlighten you and others who read this about the differences between the LINEAGE AND RECOGNITION of the Freemasonry which I practice, and the Masonry which you practice in the Lodge and Grand Lodge in which you belong. I do not consider myself "better", or "above" any Brother who does not belong to one of the two recognized Grand Lodges of each State in the USA. (Mainstream and Prince Hall Affiliated) Brother, I came from the same "4 Letter" background, and was always VERY defensive anytime a Mainstream or Prince Hall Brother at my job called me a member of a clandestine Lodge. I researched this issue for one year, before making the decision to leave that Lodge. I do not regret this move ONE BIT. I am now embraced by these same Brothers, not because I am any different as an individual; I am embraced because my Masonic Affiliation is different.
I made mention of my Undergraduate Fraternity Chapter receving a Charter from the National Organization, for one reason. In Masonry, a subordinate Lodge receives its dispensation and/or Charter from the Grand Lodge which empowers it to work. In order for that Grand Lodge and Subordinate Lodge to be considered "regular AND recognized", they must be able to prove lineage or ties to the United Grand Lodge of England. Unfortunately, there is NO Black 4 Letter Lodge or Grand Lodge styled "Ancient Free and Accepted" that is able to do so; hence, while they may practice a regular form of Masonry with Three Great Lights, VSL, and Altar, they are not RECOGNIZED by a legitimate Masonic body, which in turn is recognized by the UGLE.
I have been where you are, studied what you have studied, and walked in the Masonic shoes you're wearing at this moment. Your affiliation does not make you a bad Man, by any means, Brother; It simply makes you a Man that will be limited in your affiliation with Masonic bodies that are recognized as legitimate and regular here in America. Regularity and Masonic Recognition are the foundation(s) of any Mason's criteria for Masonic affiliation with another Mason, if he is a member of the mainstream Grand Lodge or Prince Hall Affiliated Grand Lodge of any State in the Union.
I wish you well in your continued studies and research, and hope that you will consider my offering above as enlightenment, rather than condescending banter. I simply wanted to make you aware that I was in your very shoes until I became healed into a Prince Hall Affiliated Lodge in August 2010. I appreciate the Brothers in my Old Lodge for teaching me what they did, but I appreciate the Brother who brought me to FURTHER Light in Prince Hall Masonry, my Worshipful Master, Bro. William Ross, 32, even more. He simply provided the key to the door; I stepped in and continued my research and studies, and have an amazing wealth of information at my disposal NOW that I didnt have before. Most importantly, I have a Masonic Recognition and a Certified Lineage that I can share with my two Sons when they become Men. I sincerely hope you would consider the possibility of reaffiliation, as I did. You will not have ONE regret, provided that you consult with and join a Mainstream or Prince Hall Affiliated Lodge with which you feel comfortable.
Fraternally Submitted, Bro. Vincent C. Jones, Sr., Bayou City Lodge #228, PHA, F&AM, Houston, Texas
