By Christopher Hodapp
Reports on Facebook tonight are that the assembled members of the Grand Lodge F&AM of Mississippi have voted against recognition of the Most Worshipful Stringer Grand Lodge F&AAM of Mississippi (Prince Hall Affiliated) at their annual communication in Flowood, MS.
The vote was 200 in favor, 617 against.
The vote was 200 in favor, 617 against.
It's taken seven long years to get to this vote since the first contact between the two historically segregated grand lodges in 2019, and it has now failed by a substantial majority. The irony of the motto on their official seal is almost breathtaking.
The so-called "mainstream" state grand lodges of Mississippi and South Carolina are the last two remaining U.S. Masonic jurisdictions that have not voted in favor of some kind of Prince Hall recognition since Connecticut first achieved joint amity 36 years ago, in 1989.
It is time for good masons to recognize the Stringer Grand Lodge and let the bigots go their own way.
ReplyDeleteI’d genuinely like to understand the stated rationale for that decision — and I hope it’s grounded in something more substantive than the uncomfortable historical reality that PHA is predominantly Black. Otherwise, it risks appearing less like a question of regularity and more like a continuation of racial exclusion.
ReplyDeleteIt’s disheartening that in 2026 we’re still having to confront the reality that men can be rejected or marginalized in Freemasonry because of the color of their skin — even within what we call “mainstream” Masonry. If we truly believe in meeting on the level, then these conversations (and decisions) deserve transparency, reflection, and courage.
The right thing to do would be for the rest of regular Masonry to only recognize the Prince Hall Grand Lodges in those four states and not the so called "mainstream" ones. Because they are not mainstream and an embarrassment to the fraternity. They can either change or we can happily just visit our PH brothers in those states. I said what I said.
ReplyDelete@Burx Norrod, I agree with your sentiments. Before casting the "racist" epithet, I would want to know: Do GL of Mississippi Lodges allow and have Brothers of Color as their members? If so, then perhaps there are other more substantial reasons for the rejection. If not, then I'm afraid we're seeing the "Old South" in action.
ReplyDelete