It’s been a few days, and most of the e-Masons on the web have looked at, read, shared, cursed, praised, or generally grumbled about the despicable story unfolding in Georgia. Upon reading the story, it made me question my own connection to the craft.
No matter which way you try to approach this it has some pretty serious ramifications and leaves open some serious questions. Questions that are just to challenging to answer.
Shock and awe.
Truly, I doubt anyone thought that the immediate knee jerk response of “dropping recognition” would accomplish anything. Did we find any press release or Grand Lodge communication saying that Georgia was now a no fly zone? For very good reasons:
- They just can’t react that fast
- The SHOUDLDN’T react that fast, and
- It would be foolish to jump the gun on rumor and lots (and lots) of speculation.
Like us, the institutions wait and debate internally.
As hard as it may seem, the charges brought were brought by brothers, and it is still our duty to give them good counsel that racism, bigotry, and segregation are a thing of the past, and not acceptable in open, or closed, society.
Even as enlightened as that may seem, many will still debate it otherwise.
But we must wait and not let our passions dictate. History has shown us that pitchforks, torches, and blood are quick solutions but that wisdom, enlightenment, and change are not. It is our duty, as citizens, as Masons, and as the children of the Great Architect to ensure the right learning of the craft, and that right learning does not include bigotry, and its hard to teach the ignorant when you back them into a corner.
So, as the shock and awe start to subside, take action and do your part and show others what Masonry truly is. Teach, enlighten, and effect enlightenment.
Very well said brother.
Word!
I can see the wise counsel and I apologize if I have offended anybody in my passion.
I have taken two Valium and had a new morning.
I do think that the massive publicity might have an effect on the outcome and that’s a good thing.
The debate will not be internal:
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2009/06/29/georgia_masons_sue_grand_lodge.html
AP, Fox News (which has done at least one piece on southern Masonic racism), religion blogs, etc. will be the ones to debate it and render a verdict on the morality and usefulness of Freemasonry in the modern world. Get ready to hear the word bigoted thrown around a lot when the subject of Freemasonry comes up. Also, don’t be surprised if African Americans who are not from Masonic families look at you differently, or treat you differently, if you display symbols of the Craft (rings, car emblems, stickers, hats)
This stinking mess has festered far past the time the rest of the world moved on past this sort of open in your face racism. It is now going to bit back at us hard.