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racism question

AndreAshlar

Registered User
Indeed. But it was still a surprise to discover Freemasonry did not stand aside from that, but as a institution of society, it makes sense that the Freemasons who comprised those lodges were racist -but even typing that feels wrong. I always point out, that according to the tradition history, the only reason Prince Hall Freemasonry was born was because a group of White Irish Freemasons initiated Prince Hall and his companions because they were not racist like local American Freemasons were,. or if those Irish Freemasons were racist, the made their passions and prejudices coincide with the just line of their conduct.
Freemasonry aspires to lofty ideas but my experience is that it's simply a microcosm of society

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Bro. Stewart P.M.

Lead Moderator Emeritus
Staff Member
I think the better thing to promote here is the fact that good things are happening around Freemasonry in the midst of a much divided Nation.

We are busy building bridges internally as equals while the rest of the general population is trying desperately to prove each other the lessor.
 

AndreAshlar

Registered User
I think the better thing to promote here is the fact that good things are happening around Freemasonry in the midst of a much divided Nation.

We are busy building bridges internally as equals while the rest of the general population is trying desperately to prove each other the lessor.
I think its always best to "promote" truth especially as masons. It may be prudent to shy away from only speaking comfortable truths while downplaying the ugly ones.

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David612

Registered User
Absolutely. That's the goal. Being ever mindful that we learn and progress from analyzing the truths of history.

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Agreed, in Aus we are fortunate to have very diverse lodges and I truely believe this to be our biggest strength, the network of brothers and diversity of perspective given from those of varying cultures is truly a gift not to be underestimated.
As masonry struggles to redefine itself and stay relevant I find points like this to be often overlooked and invaluable.
 

AndreAshlar

Registered User
Agreed, in Aus we are fortunate to have very diverse lodges and I truely believe this to be our biggest strength, the network of brothers and diversity of perspective given from those of varying cultures is truly a gift not to be underestimated.
As masonry struggles to redefine itself and stay relevant I find points like this to be often overlooked and invaluable.
You're right on point my Brother

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Bro. Stewart P.M.

Lead Moderator Emeritus
Staff Member
I think it’s within our ability to do away with these sort of divisions within our fraternity while preserving the history and uniqueness of our local differences.

Exactly. Spot on. That is exactly the way it should be.

Make a new and much brighter future for all of us.

I almost took that dismissive "carry on" personal my Brother but I'm looking for the best in you and not the worst PM.

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The difficulty of carrying on conversation via message or text with anyone is the pure lack of emotion that is carried via real speech. Much is left to the individuals own interpretation. A statement or sentence can carry entirely different meaning, depending upon emotion involved there in.

As a moderator, it is my charge to stay as indifferent as possible yet at the same time engage the audience while making every attempt to remove all emotion on my end. In part you are correct. I meant, for you to carry on with the ongoing conversation.

Have a great evening, Brother. No worries.
 

LK600

Premium Member
The thing is it’s one thing to theoretically understand the history of slavery but an entirely different thing to have lived in country to have it in living memory and to have it as part of day to day life.

Then we must not be talking about the United States, because it hasn't taken place in living memory. Racism, now thats a different story. Beyond that, slavery has taken place on every continent on the planet along with most countries. ;)
 

AndreAshlar

Registered User
Exactly. Spot on. That is exactly the way it should be.

Make a new and much brighter future for all of us.



The difficulty of carrying on conversation via message or text with anyone is the pure lack of emotion that is carried via real speech. Much is left to the individuals own interpretation. A statement or sentence can carry entirely different meaning, depending upon emotion involved there in.

As a moderator, it is my charge to stay as indifferent as possible yet at the same time engage the audience while making every attempt to remove all emotion on my end. In part you are correct. I meant, for you to carry on with the ongoing conversation.

Have a great evening, Brother. No worries.
Thanks for clarity my Brother. I appreciate that. Have a great evening too.

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David612

Registered User
Then we must not be talking about the United States, because it hasn't taken place in living memory. Racism, now thats a different story. Beyond that, slavery has taken place on every continent on the planet along with most countries. ;)
True, I’ve mistyped.
Though it’s not far removed and while the abolishment of slavery didn’t really stop it did it.
 

LK600

Premium Member
True, I’ve mistyped.
Though it’s not far removed and while the abolishment of slavery didn’t really stop it did it.
No, I would agree with you. Slavery may have ended in 1865, but the next 100 plus years has been filled with abuses to numerous to count.
 

David612

Registered User
No, I would agree with you. Slavery may have ended in 1865, but the next 100 plus years has been filled with abuses to numerous to count.
True, fortunately we have progressed beyond this (well for the most part anyway) but the notion that this institutional racism exists within the our supposedly enlightened organisation makes my skin crawl.
Honestly I’d like to see recognition pulled from places where this continues if it can’t be rectified in short order.
 

LK600

Premium Member
True, fortunately we have progressed beyond this (well for the most part anyway) but the notion that this institutional racism exists within the our supposedly enlightened organisation makes my skin crawl.
Honestly I’d like to see recognition pulled from places where this continues if it can’t be rectified in short order.
Yes, we have progressed beyond that. I would wager, for the majority of Caucasian (God I hate that word) and African Americans, we have moved past racism. But there still remains those on both sides continuing to cause division and shame.
 

David612

Registered User
Quite right, it’s hard for me to even grasp as it’s such a unique bit of history that the rest of the world dosnt understand.
When I was in DC being the only white folk on the bus there was defiantly some tension, however once we opened our mouths and it became obvious we wherent local that subsided quickly.
 

LK600

Premium Member
Quite right, it’s hard for me to even grasp as it’s such a unique bit of history that the rest of the world dosnt understand.
When I was in DC being the only white folk on the bus there was defiantly some tension, however once we opened our mouths and it became obvious we wherent local that subsided quickly.
My family came to the United States in 1910(ish). One side came from Sicily, the other from Ireland. I could claim I have no dog in this fight but, this would be not true. I never understood hating on a people because of skin tone. Personally, I LOVE exploring other people's cultures (especially the foods! I am a Mason after all lol).
 
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