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.
..."stated rationale for that decision ". There´s no rationality, but racism.
DeleteThe 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.
ReplyDeleteI was being nice with my comment - unless the GL of Mississippi gives another rational explanation, the R word is going to be anyone’s assumption. Not too surprising however - I myself ended up joining a Lodge 45 min away from me instead of the one 5 min away because a signer of my petition said I may very well have gotten blackballed due to not being 100% white - this is in Virginia. My first experience in Freemasonry, but I realized even then that the Craft is made up of rough, not perfect ashlars. I’ve had quite the journey, 14 years later!
Delete@Joe Spruill, we don't have to wonder; it's been amply reported. Yes, there are some lodges in Mississippi with Black members, but there are plenty who refuse to or exhibit other outright racism. Bryan Byrd had a shocking example this week (https://youtu.be/_LmQTnO0zDM?si=6yOGMy-Thkr0LWAT).
DeleteOne of the minority at the vote reported that the stated reasons were a series of racist dogwhistles: (https://www.reddit.com/r/freemasonry/comments/1resmbd/comment/o7gn1id/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button).
@Matt Johnson: exactly my view. In response to this vote, I think Masons who take their obligations seriously should simply directly recognize the Stringer Grand Lodge in Mississippi, and leave it at that.
We need to make space to recognize authentic Masonry in Mississippi, and the Grand Lodge of the state is not doing so, in my opinion. We don't need to *withdraw* recognition from it, in my view. We can just recognize both, and if that ticks off GL MS, they can withdraw recognition from honest masons if they wish.
Can you please inform us of the main reasons for this decision? Greetings from Athens, Greece
ReplyDeleteLest we have any doubt, they apparently just put on a "Confederate Degree" including the Grand Master's presence.
ReplyDeleteHeadline: Our Work Speaks for Itself 🏛️🎓
ReplyDeleteThe Most Worshipful Stringer Grand Lodge doesn't just talk about "Brotherly Love"—we put it into action. With millions of dollars poured into scholarships for our colleges and schools, we are building a future that no one can deny.
We’ve done this work independently, without the recognition of the "mainstream" Grand Lodge of Mississippi. And frankly? We don’t need it.
We choose to focus our energy on the people who support our mission and the communities that benefit from our service. To those who see the work: We thank you. To those who don’t: The results speak for themselves.
#MasonicPride #MWStringerGrandLodge #CommunityFirst #Legacy #MississippiMasonry