Brethren and Friends:

The internet brings many topics that were once kept private out in the open. While there is discussion on other Masonic forums about an embarrasing story about Freemasonry in Georgia. In a spirit of good faith and good will, when there are situations that one feels is uncomfortable to discuss, we as leaders must not bury our heads in the sand, but discuss, debate and resolve them. Here is one such sad and unfortunate story in the fraternity for discussion:

Anyway, for more on the subject one only needs to "Google" the subject and they will find some of the following on this most unfortunate subject on the public internet for all to see.

Internet blogspot by Brother Christopher Hodapp, Past Master, below:

In my view, there is no place in a fraternity that prides itself on universal brotherhood, that hides its head in the sand when any of its members or lodges engage in racism. I fought it in my lodge. I've had Masons from the South tell me my lodge was destroying the Craft by allowing black men to join. I've seen a Prince Hall Grand Master shut down visitations with mainstream lodges because my lodge "stole" black candidates he felt his Grand Lodge "owned." I've had a Georgia Mason who was a cop jab me in the chest and tell me in no uncertain terms that a black man could not be a Mason, period.

Gate City Lodge No. 2 in Atlanta has been gaining national attention for its outstanding programming this year. Its officers and members are showing what dedication to Freemasonry and to Masonic education can do to make a difference in their community. And as the old saying goes, no good deed goes unpunished.

Earlier this year, Gate City Lodge received a petition from, and properly voted, initiated, passed and raised a black member. This brother came to the lodge of his own free will - he was not steered or coerced into joining Gate City. His initiation and subsequent degrees were a milestone in the history of the mainstream Grand Lodge of Georgia—while non-whites have become members of GLofGa lodges over the years, this was different. Because Brother Victor Marshall was the first African American.

The event caused enough controversy in the state that the Grand Master of Georgia, MWbro. J. Edward Jennings, Jr., issued an official statement that Brother Marshall had indeed been properly made a Freemason in Gate City Lodge No. 2.

On June 2nd, 2009, WBro. Michael J. Bjelajac, the Worshipful Master of Gate City No. 2 was served with official charges filed with the Grand Lodge by two other lodges in connection with the membership of Brother Marshall. WBro. Sterling A. Hicks, Master of Philologia Lodge No. 178, on behalf of his lodge, charged Bjelajac with violating "moral laws of Free and Accepted Masons and the moral duties as Worshipful Master" by allowing Brother Victor Marshall to be raised as a Master Mason. Specifically in the charges, the violation of this "moral law" came from allowing a "non-white" to be raised in Gate City Lodge.

WBro. Douglas Hubert Ethridge, Master of Metro Daylight Lodge No. 743, likewise charged WBro. Bjelajac with secretly forming a "Cabal" to overturn the "constitution, laws, ancient landmarks, customs and traditions of Free & Accepted Masons" in Georgia. Ethridge asserts in his charges that non-whites have "never" been raised in a lodge under the Grand Lodge of Georgia, and that Bjelajac "paraded" Brother Marshall into other lodges, shielded by Grand Master Jennings' official letter. Ethridge concludes that Bjelajac committed acts that conflicted with the "ancient customs and traditions which are the immemorial usages and fundamentals of the Craft which have existed from time immemorial and are unchangeable."

In an age when black Masons are Masters of mainstream lodges in states like Florida and North Carolina, as well as the Grand master of the District of Columbia (to say nothing of a black man occupying the most powerful political office in the world), and especially in light of the fact that the Grand Master of Georgia has already weighed in on the regularity and authenticity of Brother Marshall's raising, these charges should have been laughed out of the Grand Secretary's office with an extra helping of derision. But they weren't. The charges were properly filed, and WBro. Bjelajac was duly served. If found guilty of the charges, Bjelajac could be suspended. Worse, because Philologia Lodge No. 178 filed charges against Gate City itself, they could lose their charter, effectively suspending their entire membership.

All of this might have remained private, but Bjelajac and Gate City have decided to fight back in the courts, and the documents are now public record. They are requesting an injunction by the court to stop the Grand Lodge's trial commission from proceeding further. Curiously, the trial commission moved its initial hearing to a tiny venue, too small to hold more than a handful of people, and scheduled on a day when Bjelajac and others were known to be on vacation, with less than 30 days notice. Gate City obviously felt backed into a corner.

An examination of their complaint for a restraining order shows a massive and detailed answering of the charges against Bjelajac and Gate City. Not the least of which is the assertion that "non-whites" (Asians, Native Americans, etc) have long been accepted as members in Georgia, without complaint. No, these charges are strictly about the Peculiar Institution and efforts of a few bigots to keep black men out of mainstream Freemasonry in the Old South. ("Ancient customs" and "immemorial usages"? if that were true, how did an English Military lodge initiate, pass and raise Prince Hall and his 14 black friends in 1776? And why would the Premiere Grand Lodge in London issue a lodge of black Masons a charter, which they still have in their possession?)

I wish Gate City had not involved the courts, but they unquestionably felt squeezed. It could very well have been that Grand Master Jennings allowed the charges to go to a trial commission specifically in order to finally expose this bigotry for what it is, and definitively make the point that there is no written law prohibiting black men from joining Georgia lodges. I HOPE that was his reasoning. To risk a trial commission yanking Bjelajac's dues card and Gate City's charter is a risky way to make a point. With the civil courts involved now, it takes things to a new level. Not the least of which is the endangerment of the Grand Lodge's tax status as a Georgia corporation, if it is found that they engage in institutional racism.

I am on the road in South Dakota, and will update this post later with link to the court public documents. My deepest hope is that this sad event will drag grand lodges that discriminate openly or covertly into the 21st century (or at least 1972). It is abhorrent that men no longer find institutional discrimination in their jobs, housing, restaurants, transportation, or banking, yet can still find it within the lodge rooms of a fraternal organization that ostensibly teaches brotherly love, relief and truth to its members. The time has come to pitch the bigots out and make it known far and wide there's no place in Freemasonry for them.

Another question to be answered is, what will be the reaction of grand masters and grand lodges around the world if the Grand Lodge of Georgia (or any other grand lodge) takes the unbelievable position that black men cannot be mainstream Freemasons? Surely that's more important than which French grand lodge Minnesota chose to recognize a few years ago, or whether the GLofDC invaded the GL of New York's territory in Lebanon last year.

Isn't it?

Actual specification of the charge found on Christopher Hodapp's internet blogspot:

Specification 2 in this – The worshipful master xx xx knowingly and willfully did in fact allow a raising of a non-white man in February 2009, which has never been done working under the jurisdiction of Grand Lodge of the state of Georgia. According to the old customs of the Grand Lodge of the state of Georgia which has existed continuously since February 21, 1734. After the fact, xx xx did allow parading xx xx to other Masonic Lodges, presenting him as a Master Mason accompanied by a letter dated February 25, 2008 on gate city Lodge#2 letterhead with the typed from xx xx xx, Grand Master.

Internet blogspot by Bro. Christopher Hodapp below:

freemasonsfordummies.blogspot.com/2...nd-georgia.html

Internet article subject: Open Racism in Georgia Freemasonry below:

freemasoninformation.com/2009/0...ia-freemasonry/

New York Times article on the subject:

nytimes.com/2009/07/03/us/03masons.html

LET DISCUSS THIS SUBJECT SINCE IT IS OUT IN THE OPEN AND ON THE NEWS AND INTERNET AS NOTED ABOVE.

IF NOT, I DELETE THIS THREAD AND ADN WE CAN ONCE AGAIN BURY OUR HEADS IN THE SAND AND WISH THE SUBJECT NEVER CAME UP AT LEAST ON THIS FORUM.

I WILL CONTINUE TO POST ON THIS THREAD UNTIL ONE OR THE OTHER OF THE ABOVE OCCURS.

HOWEVER, IN RETURN, I WILL KEEP MY VERY STRONG PERSONAL VIEWS OF THIS SUBJECT TO A MINIMUM AND STICK TO FACTS AND REASONABLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION MADE PUBLIC ALREADY! DEAL GUYS?


a famous quote applies to this situation in my opinion as stated by the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who once said:

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In the Army I come from, we are a band of brothers, and we are all one color, Army "green," and when we bleed, we bleed one color, "red." There is no place for discrimination in this country regardless of the situation, whether in the military, in the private work sector, in private fraternal organizations etc. These walls of discrimination still exist in pockets around this great country and by exposing them, the tide of public opinion, protest, revolt and civil unrest will bring these wall down once and for all.

To any Freemason who objects to these views, I ask that they demit from the fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons now and don't look back.

Fraternally,
/s/
Terry, PM
Freemason
Hot Topics Moderator

This message has been edited. Last edited by: TerryTCT,

Truly a sad day in Freemasonry - and for the state of Georgia and the entire United States of America as well.

It is a shame that this argument should arise in 2009 - or any time after 1950 - but it is an argument that needs to see the light of day - that all may see what is going on there. Perhaps they will see the Light as well.

May I go on record as stating that I hate stupidity? This is a fine post. Sad - but needed.

I think the GM in Georgia should have taken this a bit more firmly in hand and questioned if WM's who brought the charges should remain Masons.

I have been a member of a Lodge in Georgia for almost 20 years and have pushed for the integration of the Lodges. I have sat in a Lodge in California that was integrated during a time when the Grand Lodge of Georgia forbid it... It's about time the issue was discussed and the practice ended, after all are we not all brothers?

quote:

Originally posted by 9918861:
I have been a member of a Lodge in Georgia for almost 20 years and have pushed for the integration of the Lodges. I have sat in a Lodge in California that was integrated during a time when the Grand Lodge of Georgia forbid it... It's about time the issue was discussed and the practice ended, after all are we not all brothers?

Yes indeed we are all brothers. If I meet a Mason on the square, he is my brother regardless of what jurisdiction he is from, Prince Hall etc and regardless of the state. The issue of jursidicational requirment or recognition in those states that does not recognize Prince Hall brethren means nothing to me. I was told that the reason for non-recongiztion in some jurisdiction is due to politics. I believe that nothing could be further from the truth. I have another terms for politics excuse and it starts with the letter "R." My .02 cents on the subject.

Fraternally,
/s/
Terry, PM
Freemason
Hot Topics Moderator

Many other discussion boards, have either forbidden this topic, or locked up a discussion. I think Masons should be mature enough to discuss the topic, without bitterness, and "flaming".

I have felt the pain of racism up close and personal. I attended a dinner meeting of a Prince Hall lodge in Iraq. No one asked to see my dues card, and I was never examined to see if I was a Mason. I left right after the dinner.

My Grand Lodge found out about this, and I was tried and suspended from Masonry for a year. I was appalled, but there was little I could do, being in Iraq.

The time is now, for all of Masonry to accept Prince Hall Masons as true brothers. All grand Lodges should accept men who meet the standards of Masonry, regardless of skin color or ethnic background.

About 12 holdout Grand Lodges remain (mine is one of them). Bigotry and racism are in no short supply. At least two(2) lodges in my jurisdiction have admitted men of color into their lodges, good for them.

At my current location (Camp Victory, Iraq) there are four Prince Hall lodges, and 2 Eastern Star chapters (also PH affiliated). If I have any association with these fine men and women, I am due for another suspension or expulsion. This is madness. The Masons here, are fine soldiers (also airmen,sailors, marines, civilians) I would love to attend their meetings, and enjoy fraternal refreshment. But I cannot, or I will be suspended or expelled from Masonry.

In my 27 years of Masonry, I have seldom felt reason to be ashamed of Masonry, or of my Grand Lodge. But now, I have never been more ashamed.

I have put away my ring, and I no longer even greet masons, regardless of color. Until I can return to a state, where the dignity of man is held in higher esteem, I will be an inactive Mason.

Perhaps it is time to change affiliations to non-racist lodges and let the racist lodges die of the old age they are struggling with currently. The problem would then correct itself in a few more years.

quote:

Originally posted by cemab4y:
Many other discussion boards, have either forbidden this topic, or locked up a discussion. I think Masons should be mature enough to discuss the topic, without bitterness, and "flaming".

I have felt the pain of racism up close and personal. I attended a dinner meeting of a Prince Hall lodge in Iraq. No one asked to see my dues card, and I was never examined to see if I was a Mason. I left right after the dinner.

My Grand Lodge found out about this, and I was tried and suspended from Masonry for a year. I was appalled, but there was little I could do, being in Iraq.

The time is now, for all of Masonry to accept Prince Hall Masons as true brothers. All grand Lodges should accept men who meet the standards of Masonry, regardless of skin color or ethnic background.

About 12 holdout Grand Lodges remain (mine is one of them). Bigotry and racism are in no short supply. At least two(2) lodges in my jurisdiction have admitted men of color into their lodges, good for them.

At my current location (Camp Victory, Iraq) there are four Prince Hall lodges, and 2 Eastern Star chapters (also PH affiliated). If I have any association with these fine men and women, I am due for another suspension or expulsion. This is madness. The Masons here, are fine soldiers (also airmen,sailors, marines, civilians) I would love to attend their meetings, and enjoy fraternal refreshment. But I cannot, or I will be suspended or expelled from Masonry.

In my 27 years of Masonry, I have seldom felt reason to be ashamed of Masonry, or of my Grand Lodge. But now, I have never been more ashamed.

I have put away my ring, and I no longer even greet masons, regardless of color. Until I can return to a state, where the dignity of man is held in higher esteem, I will be an inactive Mason.

Don't give up the ship brother, have faith and remember there are still good and decent men in the fraternity and there are good and decent Grand Lodges as well.

As a moderator, I believe that open discussions about these topics as long as the responses do not violate the terms of service of the forum or a complaint is validated. Otherwise, it is Okay to exercise your freedom of expression here. I don't understand why freedom of speech of certain topics like Prince Hall recognition and One Day Classes is "Taboo" on some other Masonic forums. Some Masonic forums are still overly sensitive about these topics and actually sensor and reprimand offending members and in other instances suspend them. I believe that some of those moderators want to be a 33rd or in the grand line or something, so, they are not going to allow anything that appears objectional to another grand lodge. My .02 cents on the subject. However, we military folks are not into that type of "Touchy Feely," attitude and behavior. We call it like it is and tell it like it is and drive on. Hooah!

About racism in the fraternity, it is everywhere in our society and it isn't going away anytime soon. I believe that by standing up to it we beat it down one racist at a time and one issue at a time. There is a way to make the racist leave the fraternity and that is to allow joint degrees with Prince Hall and this is something I have done. As Master, one member objected and quit paying dues and he was suspended and I rapped the gavel on the racist myself. That was a fine day indeed but a sad one because of the fact he existed and in my own lodge. True Story.

My goal is to monitor this issue of jurisdictional recognition of Prince Hall and like the "Berlin Wall," it won't be long before they all crumble. Mark my word, racism is on its way out of this fraternity and the racists are dying off or leaving and they are being replaced by a new generation of great and wonderful brethren that want to get the most out of the fraternity.

Next, we have to see the elimination of the One Day Class (ODC) concept at least in it's present form. If not, it needs to be enhansed to be a meaningful learning experience. The lowering of standards to replace huge losses is not the answer. I say that the ODC concept would be like having a same for a military bootcamp. Just think, in a one day bootcamp all one has to do is issue a uniform to a new recruit, teach them how to salute, shoot a rifle, give out some basic military instruction and send them to war. This is all one needs to know, right? Wrong! This is the ODC concept to me. Make a Mason in a day and hope he returns to lodge to save it from surrendering their charter. Now, not to be a critic of the ODC. It is a good concept for one exception, giving a military servicemember his degree of Freemasonry when he is going off to war like in Iraq and Afganistan. This is the only exception whatsoever. We raise a man in this regards with the hopes he will return and his lodge fills in the blanks and mentors him properly. The other thought I have is that given the god awful state of our economy, one can take his degrees one at a time on a weekend like a Saturday one month, the next the following month and the MM on the third month. All done in full form with lectures, lunch or dinner, Masonic Education and the works. The "Wham Bam eight hour jam" is for the birds, no one is going to absorb anything rammed down their throats and get anything out of it. Sorry if I offended any ODC brethren. This was not my intent. Regardless, for the ODC brethren, this is not your fault, you only petitioned the fraternity in good faith, but as a result was done wrong. There are still too many brethren in this fraternity that believe they have all the answers, but in reality they don't. They all have fancy titles and aprons and you will spot them when you see and hear them. The wantabees are just as bad. They are like rogue cops with a gun and badge, huge ego, short temper and no sense of humor or reality. Their Masonic accomplishments do not come close to matching the military awards and decorations that is earned by professional military servicemember who really paid their real dues for this great country. If you learn your catechism on your own, then my hat is off to you. This was not how the system of the fraternity should work. I do however stand by my words since as a professional soldier, good and effective training applies everywhere in my opinion, Masonry or not.

Fraternally,
/s/
Terry, PM
Freemason
Hot Topics Moderator

P.S. - Keep the faith Brother Charles. Anyone who meets me on the square is my brother, active dues card or not. Prince Hall or not.

Well, I can say that my experience As an Afro-American with Beach Lodge 354 in teh Grand Lodge of Florida has been simply amazing! I just presented myself and listened with my ears, mind and soul. The studies are going well and I will stand proficient for Fellow Craft this evening (Sep 1st) and look forward to being raised on Sep 12th. My instructor is working with me to obtain my Sliver card so I can become an instructor after I am raised and truly support the Lodge's efforts to grow and thrive.

Racism is something I face every time I walk out the door, but I refuse to live in fear or doubt. My father taught me that "There is nothing worth having that you are not willing to fight for!" Fighting takes many forms and does not mean that you have to physically inflict pain. Your ability to be patience, yet firm can speak volumes. Staying focused on the task at hand will ensure success in the end.

This situation in Georgia shows that a few can make things tough for the many, but remaining calm and strong will ensure true victory in the end.

I still have so much to learn but I believe this, I can only improve if I proceed, to retreat is to give up before even starting the journey.

Thanks for bring this to our attention and reminding us to walk upright in the values and principles we hold so dear.

I'm not a Mason. As an Alabamian, I've long known that there were white Masonic lodges and black Masonic lodges. And believe me, they each have very healthy memberships here (our Gov is one). There's a longtime self-segregation going on, very similar to what church you attend on Sundays. Nothing sinister, from what I can see.

Are you guys trying to force integration on groups that operate without complaint?

quote:

Originally posted by vsibaby:
I'm not a Mason. As an Alabamian, I've long known that there were white Masonic lodges and black Masonic lodges. And believe me, they each have very healthy memberships here (our Gov is one). There's a longtime self-segregation going on, very similar to what church you attend on Sundays. Nothing sinister, from what I can see.

Are you guys trying to force integration on groups that operate without complaint?

Great question. That question has to be asked to each person individually. This is because no one speaks for Freemasonry, we only speak for ourselves. A Grand Master of Masons can only speak as to organizational issues in his jurisdiction only.

However, I will attempt to answer that question from my own individual perspective. First, some jurisdictions do not recognize Prince Hall Masons and consider them "Clandestine." The issue of recognition is not about integration. It would be like saying a predominately White Christian Church of a certain denomination in a certain state or jurisdication does not recognize a Black Christian Chruch of the same denomination. Thats all!

While it is recognized that Sunday in America is the most segregated day, the issue of recognition is a very controversial issue among Freemasonry. If I told you that the issue of the recognition of Black Masonic Lodges i.e. Prince Hall Lodges falls almost along the same lines as the old Confereracy states, what would you say? The issue of recognition is not one of integration. There is even a on going controversy in Georgia where a Black man became a Mason in a White lodge. To make matters worse, the now new brother Mason is a Army Soldier who defends this country. The Grand Master allowed the Brother Soldier to say a Mason, but a lawsuit was filed by the lodge Master against the Grand Lodge of Georgia over the issue. Now what would you have to say about this issue. Want facts, go to google.com and do sone internet searching and find the proof on your own, it is there. I am not casting stones, just pointing out true undisputed facts and responding honestly to the question at hand.

Fraternally,
/s/
Terry, Past Master
Freemason
Hot Topics Moderator

Just a quick question from a non Mason. Since UGLE has said that Prince Hall is “mainstream”, how could they be considered “clandestine” by some lodges?

The GL of Alabama is in the town which I recently lived. After I was there for about a year, I went to the offices and asked point blank if they recognized Prince Hall Lodges, and if they allowed Black members in F&AM or AF&AM Lodges. Before the Grand Secretary could answer, I let my opinion be known, and said that if it was true, I couldn't see myself affiliating or changing my home Lodge.

He got this gleam in his eye and said that, unfortunately, it was true - but then quickly followed that with the admonishment that this was exactly why they needed members like me - to modernize and come into the 20th Century.

I smiled and chided him by reminding him that it was the 21st Century.

His response was sad... "Baby steps, Brother. This is Alabama, and we need to start with baby steps."

Unfortunately, I was transferred shortly thereafter... and I am pleased to announce that Massachusetts doesn't have this problem.

quote:

Originally posted by B_12:
The GL of Alabama is in the town which I recently lived. After I was there for about a year, I went to the offices and asked point blank if they recognized Prince Hall Lodges, and if they allowed Black members in F&AM or AF&AM Lodges. Before the Grand Secretary could answer, I let my opinion be known, and said that if it was true, I couldn't see myself affiliating or changing my home Lodge.

He got this gleam in his eye and said that, unfortunately, it was true - but then quickly followed that with the admonishment that this was exactly why they needed members like me - to modernize and come into the 20th Century.

I smiled and chided him by reminding him that it was the 21st Century.

His response was sad... "Baby steps, Brother. This is Alabama, and we need to start with baby steps."

Unfortunately, I was transferred shortly thereafter... and I am pleased to announce that Massachusetts doesn't have this problem.

Well stated. Thank you for your thoughts Brother. This is the attitude we all need. A fraternity divided among itself cannot survive.

Fraternally,
/s/
Terry, PM
Freemason &
Hot Topics Moderator

Brother Terry and Fellow Brothers following this story,

I wanted to give you an update on this controversy in GA. And it is good news in my opinion. I am merely passing on this information and am not a member at Gate City Lodge No. 2 in Atlanta. In fact, I was raised in New York State and have merely visited Gate City twice now. I am very impressed with the Lodge membership and especially the fact that they had raised a black man completely based on his character as opposed to the racist mentality prevalent in "some" Georgia Lodges. I am Caucasian and I was simply shocked and appalled at the reaction this caused when I found out about it a couple of months ago. I stand in support of Gate City.

Two major developments have happened.

The Grand Master has issued a very favorable edit to address the situation. Go to: glofga.org/edict.html

Gate City then dropped their lawsuit against the Grand Lodge of GA.
Go to gatecity2.blogspot.com/
and scroll down to Tuesday, Sept 8th News item.



Fraternally,

Michael Karpovage
Hobasco Lodge No. 716 - Ithaca, NY
(Now living in Atlanta, GA)

Author of the Freemason mystery thriller Crown of Serpents
crownofserpents.com

This message has been edited. Last edited by: michaelkarpovage,

I have been a member of a Prince Hall Masonic Lodge in Ga. for 27 years and always known that there was racism in Masonary. As stated in your post we have a Charter from the Grand Lodge in England, but it has been under attack by the white lodges saying that we lost our charter not long after it was issued for not paying our dues to the Grand Lodge, which is not true. They say that we are unlawfully practicing masonary because of that. Some of the white lodges would allow us to visit their lodge, but only on the first degree, when they elevated their degrees to conduct business, we were asked to leave. We didn't make a big poo poo about it because we figured that it was their lodge and they could do whatever they wanted to do, and that meant the same for us too. Racism don't only affect masonary but it affects all aspects of our society. If America is to live up to her creed and be a great nation, then we will have to fight racism where ever it raises it's ugly head.

You speak the truth Brother! Coming from my New York lodge where we have a Brother of African American descent, a Brother from Nigeria, a Brother from Israel who is of Arab descent I was simply shocked when I heard how some lodges in Georgia were operating under the unspoken umbrella of racism by denying a man simply because of his friggin color! Simply shocked. Ignorant me as a new Mason, I thought there would be many black men in F&Am lodges! So, when I heard there was an F&Am Blue Lodge - Gate City - standing in defiance and rebellion of the Grand Lodge by raising a black man, I went and visited to show my support, and also wrote the Grand Lodge with my disgust. It seems that unless people take a tough stand in their belief systems then negative notions like racism will continue to exist.

Fraternally,

Michael Karpovage
Hobasco Lodge No. 716 - Ithaca, NY
(Now living in Atlanta, GA)

Author of the Freemason mystery thriller Crown of Serpents
crownofserpents.com