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Masonic Anti-Intellectualism A Crying Shame

Winter

Premium Member
Yeah-
I’ve never been to Texas and I don’t think I will either but my impression is that its not really the world leader in acceptance.
This is another gross generalization. I was stationed in Texas a few times while in the USAF and I encountered the same range of people as pretty much anywhere else. Some good, some were jerks. Some were prosperous and some were homeless. I'm not a fan mostly for the weather. But it isn't like they are running around in white hoods.

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David612

Registered User
This is another gross generalization. I was stationed in Texas a few times while in the USAF and I encountered the same range of people as pretty much anywhere else. Some good, some were jerks. Some were prosperous and some were homeless. I'm not a fan mostly for the weather. But it isn't like they are running around in white hoods.

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Not really-
I didn’t state that that is a true and accurate representation of the place in my opinion, I said that’s the impression I have but I haven’t been so who knows the place could be made of cotton candy and have pride parades every day for all I know, It just isn’t what gets around.
 

Bro. David F. Hill

David F. Hill
Premium Member
That's not a generalization unless you align with the Conservative Republican Party. I have been here 37 years and nothing I have stated is an exaggeration. Has your spouse been asked if she was married to a white man or drug dealer because she was a black woman with nice things? Have you been picked up by the police at gunpoint because you were a black man walking to the store in a white neighborhood and they said that you looked like a person who hassled a white couple even though you had been home alone all day? Under the Republican Party, Texas has become more polarized and now that open carry is legal, I would not dare to perform my second amendment rights. My niece is Air Force as well as many of my friends. I also have many in Law Enforcement but outside of work they are treated like I am.

Brother David Hill
 
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David612

Registered User
No doubt The way minorities have been treated in the US is pretty horrible but the climate and culture there is quite unique-
While I was in DC my family and I where the only white people on the bus- we where avoided like the plague until it became obvious we wherent local- most popular folk on the bus after that
 

Winter

Premium Member
As for the white hoods, just visit Vidor, Tyler, or many other small towns. You were in San Antonio and would not have seen much. http://www.kut.org/post/there-are-84-active-hate-groups-texas-most-any-state

Brother David Hill
I was also stationed at Del Rio and again at Witchita Falls. I've seen a spectrum of what TX has to offer. But I have to ask, if that locale is so bad, why stay? If you see no hope of making it better, then why continue to subject yourself and family to such conditions.

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Bro. David F. Hill

David F. Hill
Premium Member
Because it is my home. As long as they leave me alone, I will let them do what they do. My cousin was killed in Minnesota by the police and then had his character assassinated. Not all are bad but the ones that are can bring out the rage that comes from having to fight people who just don't want to understand what everyday life in this nation can do to turn a good person to a bad one.

Brother David Hill
 

bupton52

Moderator
Premium Member
As for the white hoods, just visit Vidor, Tyler, or many other small towns. You were in San Antonio and would not have seen much. http://www.kut.org/post/there-are-84-active-hate-groups-texas-most-any-state

Brother David Hill

I was gonna mention those places also. I’m certain there are some more. My daughter goes to school in Beaumont and I had to explain things to look for out there and places not to go. When I went to school in East Texas, there were places that we were told to avoid as well. I’m not big on generalizations either, but MY reality is that we have a ways to go.


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LK600

Premium Member
Brother LK600, you have earned my respect. The "light beige" comment had me rolling.

I'm glad I could bring some levity. In my opinion, people using the terms white and black perpetuates a dichotomy that doesn't truly exist. Most of the time, its based on misunderstanding and misplaced fear. To quote a wise person knowledgeable on this subject... “Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” - Yoda ;)

This is what I was talking about. He says that he perceived racism based on the social media posts of Masons that contained what he believes to be anti-Islamic and anti-immigrant posts.

Yes, one can be anti-immigration for reasons other than racism, but even then, it appears to be based on other fears as well. Anti-immigration should be waged in the halls of government and not against immigrants themselves. The issue though in this case is a person's impression and/or experiences which we do not fully know. We do not invalidate his feelings (not saying you did) by questioning their accuracy. They ARE accurate (his feelings) regardless if they were possibly reinforced by misinterpretation. We should be embracing him.

If you are not Native American then you are a immigrant.

True! Though, to be completely accurate, those Native Americans were also 100% immigrants as well, though they do have a better claim than anyone else on the stage. We are all immigrants (around the world) and should treat each other as such; as equals.

To close, I will say "Brothers, remember your oath" or you may get to the pearly gates and get a rude welcome.

Amen!

With all due respect Brother, but your posts have made the same generalizations based on skin tone that you have called out in others.

While I didn't like his use of the word "many", he didn't say most or all. He clarified that it was based on his own experience whether they are unique or more common. I can't disprove the usage of the word "many" because that is validated by his own experiences and interactions. The word personally makes me feel uncomfortable because in my experiences and interactions, it would be "few". But then, I haven't walked in his shoes, and sine he is my Brother, I will take him at his word.

I’ve never been to Texas and I don’t think I will either but my impression is that its not really the world leader in acceptance.

I'm not sure there exists a place anywhere in this world that is a "leader" of acceptance towards any race or creed. Texas is no more guilty than anywhere else. All races experience racism; we need to focus on what we can change where we are at. In the United States, many races have experienced racism (to include some white), but the abuses committed towards Black families and Native American families was/is horrible. We may not be responsible for the racism, but we are responsible for allowing it to continue.

That's not a generalization unless you align with the Conservative Republican Party.

Ouch! I am a firm Conservative (though not a Republican). To clarify, I am a fiscal conservative and most likely a liberal on social. Bottom line... Which ever candidate is going to leave me alone the most, I'll listen.

No doubt The way minorities have been treated in the US is pretty horrible

I'd agree, but the issue is not about how they have been treated; that's a none quantity. The issue is how they ARE treated. The issue is how we choose to treat each other.

My cousin was killed in Minnesota by the police and then had his character assassinated.

I have seen Whites disparage Blacks, call for violence, and go looking for violence against them. I have experienced racism (growing up) where I was called racial slurs (cracker etc) and watched as my sister was beaten putting her in the hospital with a broken jaw because she was white. Why do we continue to hurt each other? :(
 
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Bro. David F. Hill

David F. Hill
Premium Member
Hate is taught and not a natural emotion. Down through the ages people of all races have taught it to the next generation. What generation will be brave enough to break the cycle?

By the way, in my opinion, everyone is both Conservative or Liberal depending on the issue.

Brother David Hill
 
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