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Are black people allowed?

KO2134

Registered User
I'm sorry i have to even ask this question but in my town we are privileged enough to have a mainstream and pha lodge and i have noticed that the af&am lodge has absolutely no black people at all and the pha lodge is all black i personally am deciding which one i want to join because i turn 18 on feb.14 i am leaning towards the mainstream lodge because i already know some of the members and am accepted by them as being different from the average 18 year old but i am considering the pha lodge simply due to the strong history of pha masonry which the mainstream also has. Please don't be an idiotic jerk when answering this question i am simply curious.
 

chrmc

Registered User
Yes, black people, or any other race for that matter, is most certainly allowed in all lodges. Both "mainstream" and PHA. The good think about masonry is that it looks at the internal qualities of a man, not the external ones.

That being said (and without turning this into a debate) I do think that masonry as many others things, could do with a bit more diversity. But it's thankfully coming.
 

tomasball

Premium Member
There is no rule about the race of the petitioner, but the members of the lodge vote on each petition. All it takes is three men voting their prejudices to keep a good man out. It isn't a perfect system.
 

Blake Bowden

Administrator
Staff Member
I suggest visiting both Lodges and go with the one you feel more comfortable with. Can't go wrong with either one.
 

widows son

Premium Member
Both have their own traditions that go back to the early days of America, which has been preserved down to today. Great responses too by the brethren.
 

crono782

Premium Member
I would conjecture that because such an organization existed with its own rich history, roots, and traditions, the majority of african americans gravitated to it and not to mainstream lodges.
 

KO2134

Registered User
Do y'all think that its wrong for me to want to join the mainstream lodge (sulphur springs lodge #221) over the prince hall lodge (Columbia lodge #81) simply because the mainstream lodge is more active in charity and the community and if any of you guys have been to on of these lodges please share your experience
 

Bro. Stewart P.M.

Lead Moderator Emeritus
Staff Member
why aren't there more blacks in mainstream lodges

Slowly but certainly the invisible walls are coming down. All races and cultures are breaking down barriers, both directions. Yes, I can say for a fact that I personally know of several of my Brothers in the "main stream" are black, but I don't see color. I only see Brothers.

Do y'all think that its wrong for me to want to join the mainstream lodge (sulphur springs lodge #221) over the prince hall lodge (Columbia lodge #81) simply because the mainstream lodge is more active in charity and the community and if any of you guys have been to on of these lodges please share your experience

I have been to neither. My best suggestion is to try and get to know the members of both. Leave your options open (don't commit), then jump into the group that best suits you personally. Both types of masonry are rich in culture, and unique in their own way though no one more perfect than the other. Enjoy, and Good Luck!


Stewart
 
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KO2134

Registered User
I'm sorry if i am asking to many questions i'm just nervous even though i still have like 20 some odd days but i live in a very small town in east texas and i am not from here and i'm not well known and my family doesn't own some lavish business or anything as a matter of fact i can afford to pay the dues and everything i need. I'm really am scared that some individuals in society are still stuck in old time thinking and then i come on here and read and you guys do nothing but confirm it. My reassurance is the fact that I know many people consider me a good man and I am very good at convincing people know matter how stubborn they are. I will keep y'all posted on what happens thanks for y'all help and 1. More question What day do most lodges meet and do any meet on Valentines Day (My birthday)
 

Brent Heilman

Premium Member
I wish it were a perfect world and this type of behavior from some people was nonexistent, but this isn't a perfect world and it does exist. What we can do is call those people out and show others that there should be no contention between anyone, whether PHA or "mainstream". We are all Brothers and should act as such. Do not let the fact that there a few out there that hold to the 1950's way of thinking regarding race deter you from visiting both a PHA and "mainstream" lodge. You will find that most will not judge you based on skin color but will make their judgments based on who you are as a person.

To find out what days the lodges meet on you can call the lodge directly or use the lodge locator function on the respective Grand Lodge websites. You will find that lodges will all meet on different days. My Lodge meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays and the Lodge just south of us meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursday. Each will have their own schedule. Good luck on you journey and I look forward to hearing the tales of your travels.
 

widows son

Premium Member
I'm sorry I'm not sure what you mean when you say people in society are stuck in old ways of thinking, and we confirm it on here. Are you saying that there are people on this forum who are prejudice? Just asking because there are numerous PHA brothers on here and I don't think that seems to be the case. By all means correct me if I'm wrong.
 

crono782

Premium Member
I thought that as well when I read that post. I don't presume to know what you're thinking KO2134, but I'm thinking he's saying we confirm as in we have all said, "yeah society is unfortunately, prejudiced in areas still". I would hope we don't come off as prejudicial..
 

CajunTinMan

Registered User
I'm sorry I'm not sure what you mean when you say people in society are stuck in old ways of thinking, and we confirm it on here. Are you saying that there are people on this forum who are prejudice? Just asking because there are numerous PHA brothers on here and I don't think that seems to be the case. By all means correct me if I'm wrong.
I think he meant in Masonry as a whole. And unfortunately they do still exist. It would be unfair to the young man to convince him that he would not face challenges at some mainstream lodges. I pray that he would have the fortitude to face these challenges so that we can continue to chip away at the old prejudices. But at the same time I could ask no man to do something without knowing what he could be facing. I pray the best for him. Either way is the right path.
 

KO2134

Registered User
Thank you guys for your responses and to respond to the statements if i insinuated in any way that the gentlemen on here were racist or left any room for error let me clear this up. What I meant by my statement was that on this site there is a lot of conversation about the 9 states who don't recognize Prince Hall masonry and the disagreements some have on the way the 2 grand lodges in this state decided to recognize each other with inter-visitation. I also meant that some individuals on this site come and vent about their lodge about how the lodge isn't open to change. By no stretch are any of the gentlemen i have encountered on this site racist if anything the gentlemen on this site have been the pinnacle of hospitality no matter how many question us non-masons ask and no matter how dumb and to that I salute you
 
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