Sweet Home Alabama, Masonic Meltdown: Part 1

still governed by documents forbidding membership to "negroes or other inferior races."

Is this true everywhere? I've done a little research on the Masons and it would seem that different areas have different rules. I just saw a guy recently (in the grocery story, no less) who I'm pretty sure was a Mason. He was black, dressed in a very nice suit, with a pin and a ring, both bearing the mason symbol. So I don't know...this is always something I've wanted to know more about...

I'm familiar with Russ and Dee Fine. I live in Birmingham where they were talk show hosts.
They have done much good work regarding the illegal alien invasion.

On this Masonic issue I think they're wrong. Please don't tell me that you all have bought into this
business of a non-violent group being controlled and dictated to by the federal, state, or local govmt?

Surely to God you folks believe that Americans have the right to associate with whom they choose?

America. How far thou hath fallen!!!

I think many of you here will protest the "Miss White America Contest."

You don't protest the "Miss Black America Contest."

Why? Double speak. Speaking out of both sides of your mouths.

Anyway, I think even the Fine family has missed this one.
I believe they were iced by the Masonic Lodge alright, but it was probably
due to their impact on the illegal alien invasion. Alabama is a very large poultry
products state, which greedy poultry businessmen exploit because of the softness
on illegal Mexican workers.

Anyhow, I suppose many of you believe in the Patriot Act also. Probably because you've
never read how it rapes your fellow citizens of their Constitutional right. But why would any of you read it anyway?

Gmc

Being a Master Mason myself, I have been deeply disturbed at what is transpiring within the fraternity over the past few decades. Not every state is racist when it comes to admission but there are still about nine that are including at least Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and Mississippi.

Also, if you don't believe that there is enough power in the organization to have Rick and Dee terminated, you are fooling yourself. Even though most of the lodges are composed of nothing more that old men, who argue over such trivial things as what to eat each week, there are those at the upper levels who do wield quite a bit of power.

There is a meeting each year of all the "Grand Masters" (each state has a GM) and at this meeting they discuss many things that affect how the different territories operate together. It is well known about the racism being perpetuated by a few states and has been brought up at the meet of these GMs before and nothing was done. The foundation of Freemasonry was built on democracy, yet these GMs who represent these territories still refuse to follow the wishes of the majority and even worse the majority are either ignorant to this or condone it. What a sad state of affairs Freemasonry is in today.

However, there is a swelling of support from the rank and file masons who believe this type of behavior is wrong and not the principals our forefathers were shooting for when they formed the fraternity.

You will find this surprising…As an African-American male and a freemason (I am a member of a Prince Hall Masonic lodge under the jurisdiction of the Most Worshipful Union Grand Lodge of Florida, Prince Hall Affiliate), I would like to come to the DEFENSE of the Governor. First let me shed some light about American masonry…Kind of like American Freemasonry 101…

-American masonry is unique compared to the rest of the world in that there are 2 systems of freemasonry in the US. Most countries have just 1 and are governed by a "grand lodge" for that country. The USA has 50 states and has 50 grand lodges. Each state has 2 Masonic governing bodies: a "mainstream" Grand Lodge which is predominately White, and a "Prince Hall Grand Lodge" which is predominately Black.

-in 1775, a separate system of freemasonry for African Americans was created when a British Army General initiated 15 Freed Black men at Castle William Island in Massachusetts, the leader for whom was a man named Prince Hall. The Lodge of the "Prince Hall masons" called African Lodge #459 declared itself an independent Masonic body and grand lodge. African Lodge had a charter from the Grand Lodge of England. The actual charter still exists to this day.

-From this lodge sprung forth a parallel system of freemasonry for African-Americans that expanded coast-to-coast and around the globe.

-As appendant and concordant Masonic bodies were created in the US (eastern star, Shriners, Knights templar, Scottish rite, Youth groups etc), so were such created under the Prince Hall Masonic system as well.

Now back to the governor. The plain and simple fact about the US is that MOST BLACKS JOIN PRINCE HALL LODGES, AND MOST WHITES JOIN MAINSTREAM LODGES…PERIOD. That is a statistical and historical FACT that is NEVER GOING TO CHANGE IN THE USA…Yes, you can find a few blacks in mainstream lodges, and yes, you can find a few whites in Prince Hall lodges (interesting tidbit/fact, most of the whites who do join Prince Hall Lodges do so while they are in the military), but when the governor was wanting to join the masons, he was living in Alabama, and the only grand lodge for him to join was the GL of AL. What was his other option?? Join a Prince Hall lodge?? Highly unlikely.

-And YES, while Alabama may have actually at one time codified the exclusion of Blacks, the fact of the matter is that even if they were to declare ON PAPER that the GL of AL is open to ALL MEN OF ALL RACES, 99.9% of Blacks in Alabama who are wanting to join the masons STILL WOULDN'T JOIN a mainstream lodge. Conversely, most white guys (unless they are in the military), will most likely join a MAINSTREAM Lodge. What benefit is it for an African-American to join a mainstream lodge when there is an equally vibrant Prince Hall lodge in his area and when his parents/family/friends are most likely prince hall masons as well??

In 39 out of the 50 states, there is actually a "mutual recognition treaty" between the mainstream lodge and the Prince Hall lodge of that state. Interesting fact…which are the 12 states in which there is no treaty??? They are all in the SOUTHEAST quadrant of the US.

How do you know that he is not one of the voices in the Alabama grand lodge pushing for mutual recognition between the GL of AL and the PHGL of AL??

The fact that the GL of AL has no Black members is no surprise to Black masons, and even if they opened their doors to black members and actively recruited Black members, 99.9% of Blacks will STILL join PRINCE HALL lodges…PERIOD, so even if there were no history of active discrimination from the GL of AL, that Grand Lodge would still be 99.9% white. Comprende???

In conclusion, look at the governors RECORD AS GOVERNOR, and NOT his lodge membership. He has no control of what has historically happened. This is an IRRELEVANT ISSUE. That's why most of the media has not jumped o this issue. They clearly see that this is a non-issue, and the pursuance of such is PURELY POLITICALLY MOTIVATED. What's next??? Y'all gonna bash GERALD FORD who's a 33 degree mason and a member of the Grand Lodge of Michigan, which is predominately white as well???? C'mon, there are more important issues out there.

-Derek Sampson

That would be quite interesting with regards to the IRS code and non-profit org's like the Gl of AL. Please share your findings with the group when you complete your research, cause theoretically, if they are violating an IRS clause, that will open up a WHOLE can of worms that can affect all 12 southern mainstream grand lodges in the south.

I sincerely hope something good comes out of this Alabama controversy. I hope it is the lightning rod that makes the other Southern Grand Lodges reconsider their recognition policy with regards to Prince Hall.

PEACE!!

-Derek

Great article. Makes me curious. Thanks.

This is so communistic that Russ and Dee were fired for free speech.I thought noway in the state of Alabama anyway.We should all rise up against this Riley and vote against him.

Thanks for your english lesson.I was born in the 50's and saw many times over what communism was and is.When a political group of people have the power to shut down the speaking against them by jounalist or ads played on major stations of tv across Alabama.This exactly what is part of the communistic philosophy.We have in this state,a Governor and his backers slyly manipulating what can be heard by the average citizen in the state. They aren't allowed to know the truth. Study more about communism in more sources than an online encyclopedia.

The issues in this story have deep Washington, D.C. roots and suggests how Alabama and other deep south states might respond positively to the dilemma of segregated organizations that benefit from local and federal tax laws or reflect unfavorablly on public servants who should always consider the sensibilities of all backgrounds of their constituents.

Fred Kleinknecht, the former Sovereign Grand Commander of the Scottish Rite Masons, Southern Jurisdiction, had initiated efforts in the District of Columbia, beginning as early as 1975 to bring together his organization and the Prince Hall Masons, the black Lodge. In June 2006, now retired, he testified before the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission on legislation to establish a memorial to the more than 5,000 black soldiers of the Revolutionary war, including Prince Hall and his son Primus. Mr. Kleinknecht thought this history could bring together the two Masonic groups across the country for a common purpose that honors the nation's birth. He is now a member of the Board of National Mall Liberty Fund D.C., (www.libertyfunddc.org) the organization I chair to build the memorial. See his statement at --

Primus Hall knew General Washington, and his father was one of several free blacks (already in the Army) who protested Washington's initial order to bar blacks from the Continental Army. Washington is feted as the most famous Mason, and he clearly understood the role blacks played under him in winning the Revolution. Fred thought that history could heal wounds and bring Masons, white and black, together -- as well as the nation.

Legislation to build the memorial, the National Liberty Memorial Act, S. 2495, was introduced by Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut and, among others, Senator Charles H. Grassley of Iowa, who is a member of the Scottish Rite Masons. Senator Grassley has been a strong supporter of this concept for over 20 years. See his statement at The key committee where our bill (National Parks Subcommittee of the Senate Energy Committee) is pending is chaired by Senator Craig Thomas of Wyoming. Senator Thomas is also a member of the Scottish Rite Masons.

Fred arranged a meeting with Senator Thomas in October of 2005. Mr. Kleinknecht told him how significant this legislation was to the prospect of future unity between the black and white Masonic orders. We are persuaded that Senator Thomas will eventually support our bill and understands its national ramifications for racial unity. We hope that the bill will be approved in the lame duck session. Certainly, had it been approved months ago, it could have diffused some of the controversy inherent in the AP story coming out of Alabama. Perhaps that Scottish Rite Lodge would have accepted the call to help build this national memorial that would go on the Mall at Constitution Gardens, near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and World War II Memorial. They would be standing up for those who helped create the U.S. and the freedoms they enjoy -- black soldiers and patriots, some of whom were also Masons and some of whom sired Prince Hall Masons.

In 1975, the District of Columbia City Council (see transcription of the Washington Star article attached) under chairman Marion Barry and Dave Clarke conducted a hearing that involved the Scottish Rite Masons, Daughters of the American Revolution, the Society of the Cincinnati and other exclusive organizations not known at the time to have black members. The Council was considering removing the real estate tax exemption from organizations that did not reflect the multiracial make up of the District. Mr. Kleinknecht was a witness there and described what he was doing to work with the black Masonic group to find unity. Two years later my aunt Lena Santos Ferguson was rejected for membership in the DAR. Only after a four year battle did she finally gain membership. Today, thanks to her, perhaps as many as 30 black women have joined the organization.

Maurice Barboza
www.libertyfunddc.org

I read your article, as well as all of the comments above. I think it's insane that this is getting so much publicity. The Masons are a Fraternity, last time I checked. I think if you are going to bash the Masons for not having black members, then you should go ahead and bash several college fraternities as well. As much as people don't like to admit it, people in America are still racist. It might not be as bad as lynchings and segregation, but as a whole, blacks and whites choose to segregate themselves just as Derek Sampson mentioned earlier.

As far as Cooksey's allegations, he's just a cranky old man trying to stir crap because he did not get his way in the GL of AL.

Whether we like it or not, America is still segregated for the most part. Men, women, black, white, Hispanic, we all have a label. Please, if you are going to hit the Masons hard for being segregated, do this.... Encourage people of all race to move into your neighborhood. Encourage your children to date / marry another race. Condemn your church for being predominately one race. Stop looking down your nose at the lady in the check out in front of you with a food stamps card or a WIC check. Hold protests at University rushings to discourage young people from joining a fraternity / sorority that is predominately one race. Protest at Universities that are predominately one race. Why don't you posthumously impeach presidents that have been members of the Masonic order. Call out the companies that are hiring minorities to get government fundings. Call out Prince Hall for not having whites in their fraternity. If you can't do any of these things, then you should just SHUT UP, because you are probably more racist than many of the Masons.

If you are going to make such a big deal about the Prince Hall and Grand Lodge being segregated, why not go ahead and add fuel to it and mention that women cannot join the Grand Lodge. As far as the Grand Lodge being an occult or a secret society and practicing witchcraft, etc, etc that's crap.

I know many masons and non-masons alike. I do not know Riley personally, but I do know that a mason is generally of strong character. If I had to choose between two people with equal qualities, but one was a mason and one was not, I would be more likely to choose the mason.

You people should get your facts straight before going off on a handle about something like this. Many Americans do not even know what a Mason is. It's called research people.

I would like to add some information to this discussion in reference to joining a Masonic Lodge. In Oklahoma a man must petition a lodge to become a member. His petition is read in open lodge and a committee is assigned to investigate the potential candidate. This committee then reports to the lodge their recommendation. The lodge must then vote by secret ballot on the petition. The secrecy of the ballot box is a fundamental part of our constitution and code and must be respected. In reference to our charitable work, the Masonic family of organizations does over 2.1 million dollars a day in charity with over 70% going to non-masons. Our efficiency in the use of donated funds is one of the highest due to most of our labor being done by volunteers. I know that there is hatred and prejudice in the world, but I pray that one day, all men will be judge by the content of their character as Martin L. King dreamed. Masonry's job is to work on that character, but it is a work in progress.

If people would open their eyes just a bit farther they would be able to see how controlled our country is by freemasonary. It is almost impossible to believe that people are keeping a "blind eye" to the evidence of control by freemasons. My fear is that the masons have enough of the countries controlling government offices that they, (freemasons) do indeed have absolute control of our country. I have been researching freemasons for a very short time and I am, at times, in fear of going any farther, for my own saftey. I have logged onto websites, seeking other unrelated information, only to have freemasons brought in the picture. And when I go alittle farther I find that there is almost no area where I can find the masons NOT involved. I have been on sites that when I "click" on to a name or a place, I have butterflys in my stomach because I know "inside" it is leading to a site where freemasons will be involved. And when my theory is proven I have cold chills down my spine. I believe that this country was founded mostly by freemasons exiled from England for thier religous beliefs. I also believe in the "New World Order", mainly because freemasons are a "global organization" and that world domination is a primary, (not the only perhaphs), goal. "I URGE PEOPLE" to just take alittle time and look for yourselves, I am sure you will be nothing short of Amazed, if not intimidated, or Scared. More later. Montobon

I am a Freemason in Texas, and an officer in my lodge. I wish people would not make assumptions on issues they know nothing about. Freemasonry is NOT a secret society. If it was secret, no one would know that it exists. Freemasonry is, however, an organization of men who want to be better men. The bylaws, and rules of any organization sets out who can be a member. We have a black in our lodge. He is not ridiculed for his color, because he is a brother of freemasonry. Keep in mind, Masonry in the United States has been here since the inception of our country, when things were different. We now have an ever-changing world and a different outlook of who can be Freemasons. People again, should educate themselves, including the broadcasters, before they produce negative comments about a group of people, Don Imus included. This practice is something we learn in Masonic bodies. We have a love for each other that a non-Mason just would not understand.

It's sad that people feel they "need" to belong to something in the first place. Especially of something so evil as Freemasonry.....

I agree wholeheartedly with you Sandy. My family is steeped in Masonry and I never saw any good come from it. They only serve each other and to be honest about it they are just Zionist community organizers. They steer communities to the pro Zionist agenda.