Derek Gordon Continues His Story
The true story about “un-Masonic conduct*” of a respectful brother.
By: Brother Derek Gordon Last updated on: April 5, 2010.
“After much reflection, I have concluded that the true crime for which the Grand Master wishes to accuse me has come to light. And it is a violation that I take no shame in committing.”
“As my brethren around the world have now seen, I did not provide secret information on the Sebastian Lodge website but used information from other Arkansas lodges and as well as the Grand Lodge itself. The Grand Master’s claim has been defeated by the massive trove of evidence gathered by many Masonic brethren in support of me.”
“As I was denied my right to due process, I am left to my own devices to determine why on this great earth and in this great country I would considered for expulsion. And then it occurred to me…what my violation will be. In a conversation with Grand Master Warren Martin I spoke of attending lodges in the presence of Black Masons. I openly shared my reflection of the warm conversations we had. The lodges were not in Arkansas but rather in 2 other states as well as overseas. All were mainstream lodges. I have not been invited to a Prince Hall Lodge; however, because of this process I can say that I would be honored to do so.”
“I realize now that I overlooked one of the most obvious arguments. I gave the Masonic handshake (and another common sign of brotherly affection) to well over twenty Black Masons. I have sat in lodge with at least thirty Black Masons. I have spoken with a Prior Grand Master of a Prince Hall jurisdiction. I have long-running Masonic relations with several Black Masons who served with me in the United States Air Force. They are some of my dearest friends and brothers.”
“The sole accusation poised is based upon entry 4.0.61 in the digest. That states: “The…use of cipher rituals of the three Symbolic Degrees of Masonry is forbidden; and ANY Mason who shall hereafter…use anything purporting to be a cipher ritual or written, printed or otherwise delineated ritual or exposition of Masonry shall be expelled from Masonry.”
“There is only one possible way to accuse me of violating the above quote from my Notice of Trial letter. Simply put, I would have to be accused of knowingly sitting in a lodge, mainstream aside, with Black Masons. And, being that the brothers were Black Masons, it is reasonable in the eyes of the Grand Lodge of Arkansas to assume those men must be Prince Hall. I must humbly point out to the Arkansas leadership that Black men can be Mainstream or Prince Hall; Arkansas tends to frown upon certain races, religions, or origins, yet this does not mean that all other Mainstream jurisdictions must act as a unified bigot. “
“These United States have stood in solidarity against tyranny for greater than nearly 250 years. The Civil War and great Abraham Lincoln brought emancipation to all nearly 150 years ago. Just over 50 years ago, Arkansas was at the epicenter of the death of segregation when “the Little Rock 9” entered a high school for white students supported by the 101st Airborne Division. How can it be that Arkansas is one of the three states that still forces segregation of the brotherhood? Why is this tolerated? Who will stand up to such hatred? “
“Let your voices be heard along with mine. Tell Grand Master Martin Warren and Grand Secretary James Weatherall what is truly “for the good of the Masonry**.” As the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., called out “Let Freedom Ring” and this time let it ring from the capital of Little Rock, Arkansas. “
“Whether the Grand Master still believes that my expulsion is “for the good of the Masonry” is for him to determine. In my heart and with a clear conscience, I can say that I will always hold the values of the Free Masons… the truly “free” Masons.”
* I stand accused of “un-Masonic conduct” for reasons that the Grand Lodge of Arkansas refused to delineate. The Grand Inquisitor (Chairmen, Grand Lodge Trial Commission), John Penrod, was kind enough to inform me that I must determine the causes of action the Grand Lodge of Arkansas has against me. And, the Inquisitor refused to provide materials that might shed light on such issues.
** The Grand Master assured the Worshipful Master and other brethren of Sebastian Lodge that revoking its charter, and my expulsion, was “for the good of Masonry.” I would disagree with that statement; but, I’m unworthy in their eyes of being a Mason.
Added note: The phone call discussing Prince Hall Masonry with the Grand Master of Arkansas took place on Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 at 8:23P.M. CST.
I wanted to move over a comment posted by Bro Wilson Curtis that has in it some question I and some other Brothers would like to see Bro. Derek address.
Bro. Wilson Curtis says:
April 6, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Bro Derek there are some questions I would like to ask you:
1.Are we talking about the same MWGM or are there two different ones? Who has done what?
2.Where there any meetings with the MWGM held at Lodge 706 about this matter? How many? Were you asked to attend? Did you?
3.How can the “Mainstream” Masons have a race issue when there are black members in their lodges?
4.Jaye says, Rumor has it, and this has been mentioned to me by many many Arkansas and Oklahoma Masons, that a PGM of ARGL walked out of a meeting with the GM in OKGL because the meeting included “black masons.” I was at that meeting and it DID NOT HAPPEN. Were you there Jaye?
5.Bro. Derek has the MWGM expelled you from the Masons (which he has the right to do) or are you going on Masonic Trial to answer the charge against you?
6.Bro Derek why are you still pushing the license plate debate when those are not the charge against you?
7.Bro. Derek it is plain you are being charged with posting cipher ritual from the letter above. Bro Derek are you using the defense “I did it because others were doing it so it must be OK?”(Sorry Officer, I was just going with the traffic.)
8.Were the other lodges not punished because they removed anything they were asked to remove in a timely manner?
9.Bro. Derek when were you asked to pull down Lodge 706’s website by the ARGL?
10.Bro Derek you said you feel that your trial was deliberately set on a day you have maneuvers. Isn’t that speculation on your part?
11.Lastly Bro. Derek do you fell as though you have broken any other Masonic Rules? Look at the above letter; are you following the Rule voted on by your Manson Brothers at GL banning any and all Masonic electronic transmissions? You are not being brought to trial on those charges but you have most defiantly violated that rule now.
Inquiring Minds Want to Know!!!
Bro Wilson
It seems Bro. Derek has spent alot of time he says talking to the Grand Master (though he stated before The Grand Master had not spoken to him)though how can he not even know his name?? Bro. Derek you have an ax to grind and you believe that if you are going down you are going to take the GL of AR with you as well as Grand Master “Warren Martin.” The Masons have been around for thousands of years. You have tried to lead the good Brothers on this site to accept the false claims you are making. I am upset that I now belong to a Lodge without a charter because of YOU. You are trying to try your case here on the web but it is not these good Brothers who will set in judgement of you but your AR brothren at the GL. You might have gotten off with a slap on the hand but you have gone too far with these desortations. My wish is that the GL AR remove anyone who does harm to our craft and MY LODGE!
Bro. John
Bro. John I just wanted to let you know that your Lodge’s website is still up and running if you go on your site and wait…. a few seconds it takes you over to Bro. Dereks web page with a letter for Masons but also a bolg. I hope this don’t get your lodge in more trouble. I know you are upset and want your Charter back.
Dear Brothers on that site I found some things that didn’t match up to this statement from Bro.Derek:
You have decided to volunteer to help Peruvians caught in northern Chile in the aftermath of devastating earthquake. As you stand in line to board your international flight to Peru your cell phone rings
I don’t under stand how he could have been in line when he got his call if these are pictures taken in January of 2010 because the new GM was not in office until February. How can that be Bro. Derek? If you go into his pictures you will also see the pictures he took on his trip to help the Peruvians. Better hurry though he lived in Peru so I would think he might try to change these picture or just delete them all together. Bro. Derek took his girl friend and his mom and dad and ??. Bro Derek you called these pictures {Peru Holiday)that seems like a strange title to me. Oh wait were you helping with your tourist dollars? Some of the photos have dates on them one say 1-3-2010 which makes think, I’m speculating, this is when you went. How does a law school student take off so much time at the beginning of the semester? You only get a few absents you are allowed to take.. Law students often do go to help in areas of need but only during brakes in class. Bro. Derek when were you really in Peru? If your in OK why did you go to the meeting? What were you afraid of? All these half truths it makes me wonder if anything you say is every not twisted to fit your need.
Bro. Wilson
I’m done with this Web site….. How do I unsubscribe from it and why is it so hard to find this information?
This is a sad day for the fraternity. Alas, my Brother.
Dear Brothers,
Dear Brothers on this site I found some things that didn’t match up to this statement from Bro.Derek:
You have decided to volunteer to help Peruvians caught in northern Chile in the aftermath of devastating earthquake. As you stand in line to board your international flight to Peru your cell phone rings
I don’t under stand how he could have been in line when he got his call if these are pictures taken in January of 2010 because the new GM was not in office until February. How can that be Bro. Derek? If you go into his pictures you will also see the pictures he took on his trip to help the Peruvians. Better hurry though he lived in Peru so I would think he might try to change these picture or just delete them all together. Bro. Derek took his girl friend and his mom and dad and ??. Bro Derek you called these pictures {Peru Holiday)that seems like a strange title to me. Oh wait were you helping with your tourist dollars? Some of the photos have dates on them one say 1-3-2010 which makes me think, I’m speculating, this is when you went. How does a law school student take off so much time at the beginning of the semester? You only get a few absents you are allowed to take.. Law students often do go to help in areas of need but only during brakes in class. Bro. Derek when were you really in Peru? If your were in OK why did you go to the meeting? What were you afraid of? All these half truths it makes me wonder if anything you say is every not twisted to fit your need.
Bro. Wilson
I put this as a comment on Bro. Derek website. He has added to his website but has refused to post my comment. He doesn’t want to answer to any charges. He will not take responsibility for his action. I think Bro. Derek is acting in an unprofessional manner. He’s afraid the truth might put a different light on his case. How dare you ask the GM for your 800 dollars back and for a letter of good standing? Once again I ask Brother Derek to address the questions being asked of him or stop taking up web space!
Bro. Wilson
Bro. Wilson
I also put a comment on Bro. Derek’s website and it was not posted?
Just sayin
Does look like the Surrogates are out in full force today. I recall seeing most of those questions answered in at least one other article. I would enjoy seeing the other side of the story…NOT trying to undermine the issue at hand by attacking another brothers personal life and family seems to be a little bit unmasonic as well.
“To The Skeptics and Surrogates” post is on my website. It includes an image that was selected to prove a specific point. I know that my open-minded brethren will understand its point.
The truth can only be told once while accusations and falsehoods can continue to be brought forward. So, that’s it from me here!!!
And that name thing, well I got a good chuckle out of it thanks for that. 🙂
Hey Bro. Jaye,
Bro Derek what is the issue??I know the issue it is Bro. Derek who has underminded the issue for almost a month. Where is you dog in this hunt? I think Bro Wilson is trying to get Bro. Derek to answer some interesting questions that I would like the answer to also. Please direct me to the website you speak about above. Why want Bro. Derek address these questions. He say the GL AR will not talk to him maybe he will not talk to them. Do you know? What Bro. Wilson wrote did not seem like an attack to me. He brought to the fore front that it seems as though Bro. Derek might not be telling the truth. He was not attacking his his personal life because Bro. Derek used it as a reason that he could not be at any of the meetings he was asked to attend. Your Lodge has not lost its charter over his actions MINE HAS!!! I take that kind of personal wouldn’t YOU? Below you will find an answer to your RUMOR!
Jaye says, Rumor has it, and this has been mentioned to me by many many Arkansas and Oklahoma Masons, that a PGM of ARGL walked out of a meeting with the GM in OKGL because the meeting included “black masons.” I was at that meeting and it DID NOT HAPPEN. Were you there Jaye?
Bro. John
Quite contrary John. You being an Arkansas supporter ought to watch out a “clandestine” person a Brother because we know you wouldn’t shake my hand in the end. Luckily for me I have a great Bro. for a neighbor and that is why I have been on here supporting him.
Bro. Derek was kind enough to post his airline ticket online lastnight. I know he didn’t want to do so but it negates all these wild accusations stated by the above Surrogate Squad.
Regarding my comment that John seems to take aim at, this information has been mentioned on many forums and in many lodge halls. Maybe instead of trying to ruin people with your attacks you should work on ARGLs method of handling the bad press they like to create for themselves.
Bro. Jaye,
What does an Oklahoma resident know about the ARGL except what he has heard from a neighbor trying to get out of charges and wanting to make it a race issue, which you will buy into, that he can use to hide his true misdeeds. I know Bro. Derek reads these blogs and still will not answer the questions Bro. Wilson has asked. I asked you to give me the website you said has the answers, like Bro. Derek you did not answer. How would I know about what is being talked about in Lodge Halls MINE IS CLOSED!!! As for the airline ticket I’m glad that Bro. Derek did post the ticket. It lets me know that he doesn’t
always twist what he says. I think if he was a little more willing to answer the other questions I might support him in this matter but he is hiding. Why??? Why is he trying to make this a race thing when it is not? We have Masons of all races in our Lodges if you lived in Arkansas and ask to join a Lodge you would be as welcome as anyone else. I would be happy to have you in my Lodge if I had one. The PH Masons choose to join that Lodge they could join any Lodge they choose. I would be welcome to join either Lodge. The bad press to speak of is being used by a Mason who has made some bad chooses and is using race to hide his crimes. I’m sorry but it is true.
I do give you credit for being quite a good instigator. Maybe you need to do more research and find out that this is just one of a number of Arkansas Masons who have tried to change the ARGL status quo that were quickly brought up on charges without discussion. Unless and until the ARGL answers the trove of questions that have been sought by the many who have been thrown to the lions by its leadership, questions such as yours will go unanswered because they resemble so much of what we hear about those backroom trials in the Grand Lodge. Again a lot of time on Google might do you some good so that you learn more of what your Most Worshipfuls have done in the name of Masonry. These comments you make are just like some I have seen made about other Masons in an effort to smear their names so that questions regarding the real issues stay submerged. You all should take some PR classes to at least know how to properly debate the real issues. I really do not believe that people reading this are going to line up on your side. Again we have yet to know your side because of the continuous games played for the past number of years.
And to claim that I would be welcome is an interesting one. I do love how the ARGL always takes the politically correct position of “we welcome anyone” and “we have every kind of person” in our lodges. Easy to talk the talk.
Bro Jaye who wants to make this a race issue? Has Bro. Derek been kick out? Could the GM AR have removed him and not let him defend himself in a trial? Then he would have been on these websites doing the samething he has been doing. And maybe my Lodge could have been reopened. He should answer the question if they are like those the GL will ask and play it out here for all to see not in the deep dark scary GL. Again I ask you what is the real issue? He is not being brought up on anything to do with race. If I were racist I might try to make it about race but I am not. You are his friend and you will take his side but your are wrong about the issue. Debate classes would serve some people here to keep them focused on the issues that needs to be debated.
Politically Correct! Bro. Derek is a conservative through and through. Did you every wonder about what he has said about OUR President? I am a DEM and have defended President Obama in Arkansas where there are too many conservatives. Don’t believe me. Go to his webpage pull up his related websites and look at the first link of organizations he has been linked to. AreYouLiberal.Com (Conservative Thought Engine {a database of Conservatism})But he is playing out this drama on Bro. Milliken’s web site (who is a Very Honorable Bro.). Just sayin!
By the way we do have every race of people in our Lodges. So I guess we also Walk the Walk.
So because a person designs a website that has thousands of posts from Conservative commentators and bloggers, you can connect him as writing this stuff? Is this really the case? And it shows that there is a huge flaw in the logic of the surrogates if you will continue to try and bring personal matters into this fraternal issue. Indeed someone is trying to play for drama but I daresay it seems to not be the original author of what has been posted.
“Derek Gordon has been instrumental in the development of several websites for organizations he has been linked with. The following are several of the websites he has developed:” Does it say organizations?
And to try and say that being conservative means that you must be a radical is fascinating as both ends have radical extremes. While Arkansas is a majority Democrat state, it tends to still have a lot of those old Southern viewpoints that we just cannot get to go away.
Maybe I misunderstood you. Are you saying that Derek is making a racial issue but obviously he cannot do so because he is conservative and conservatives don’t like the current President? That seems to have a logical loophole.
Keep using your Cingular connection and keep searching Google. We believe in you and believe at some point you will make more rooted commentary.
Arkansas is a majority Democrat state. Not for a long time! I didn’t connect him with writing this stuff he did on his website. Would you have linked yourself to this website in any way? Go look at the way it is talking about President Obama. Would you really link youself to that. Sorry Bro. you are being used. Brothers go look at AreYouLiberal.Com and tell me if you would be linked to the website.What loophole. Remember I’m from Arkansas I can’t be a lawyer or figure out loopholes.
Jaye said:
Keep using your Cingular connection and keep searching Google. We believe in you and believe at some point you will make more rooted commentary
Thank you for the idea! But I like bing better.
Here is what I found on http://www.linkedin.com/in/derekgordon that is his college website and he also say that this is his website. He also has his personal wedsite listed there. He has it linked to him again. Again would you have created this website? Would have it linked to you?
Would you have written:
Obama (middle) could be alright, but he has a problem with his ears. A columnist for the New York Times asked a question about his physical appearance, and he had a break down. Would America be served well by a low self esteemed person?
Bro Derek did.
He also said:
Many Democrats have come out in front of the microphones to announce their bids for the presidency. The curious thing to realize is just how many different “minorities” are being represented in the primaries. First, Barrack Obama announced and will be aiming for the black vote
What can be read into “minorities”??? Seems rude to me!
Well this has gotten pointless I am done. We all appreciate how personal you are getting and it does so well to rebut the essay that was posted. In fact it really helps Masonry in all aspects push past the issues of the day. It is great that the issue has been pushed towards a political pissing contest. I didn’t realize the issue was to divide us based on political parties and political beliefs. Arkansas commentary regarding political parties was based on government statistics. I should have known that it could not have been true.
Arkansas was carried by the Republican in three of the four elections. Summaries of the years 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008. I have enjoyed the debate but the real issue is Bro. Derek got our Charter pulled and he needs to be man enough to stand up to his charge and not try to hide behind the race issue which I’m not sure he really believes in. God Bless You Bro. Jaye
In response to the statement:
“Rumor has it, and this has been mentioned to me by many many Arkansas and Oklahoma Masons, that a PGM of ARGL walked out of a meeting with the GM in OKGL because the meeting included “black masons.”
Wilson Curtis writes:
“I was at that meeting and it DID NOT HAPPEN.”
Mr. “Curtis,” why were you at a meeting between the Grand Master of Oklahoma and the Grand Master of Arkansas, unless you have some intimate connection to one of those Grand Lodges?
Wilson Curtis writes:
“How can the ‘Mainstream’ Masons have a race issue when there are black members in their lodges?”
Mr. “Curtis,” I know that grand lodges don’t keep official racial statistics, but would you say the percentage black members of the “mainstream” Masons in Arkansas is greater or less than 1 percent? Who was the first black Grand Master, the first black Grand Lodge officer, or the first black officer in any of the state’s 270+ “mainstream” lodges?
In the last 15 years, I’ve been to numerous “mainstream” Arkansas lodges, and I’ve attended about half a dozen Grand Lodge sessions. I’ve never seen a black man at any of those functions, except an elderly black man who used to be the janitor at the Grand Lodge building in Little Rock.
Wilson Curtis writes:
“Bro. Derek has the MWGM expelled you from the Masons (which he has the right to do) or are you going on Masonic Trial to answer the charge against you?”
Maybe Arkansas Grand Lodge law has changed (a LOT) in the last 5 years, but my copy of the “Digest of Laws of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Arkansas” says:
“[Section 4210-A] There is no power or authority whereby a brother may be declared suspended or expelled without trial (except for nonpayment of dues).” and “Section 4330-C] Every man is presumed to be innocent until proven to be guilty; the mere fact that charges are preferred does not deprive a brother of any of his Masonic privileges; consequently he can sit in the Lodge and take part in any proceedings not connected with his own trial, until found guilty and suspended or expelled.”
Mr. “Curtis,” if the Grand Master now has the authority to expel Masons at will, what reason justified the recent granting of such authority? Wasn’t the Grand Lodge of Arkansas founded more than 150 years ago? If Grand Masters managed to make the first 150 years without such sweeping powers, what happened in the last 5 years to necessitate such a drastic departure?
Wilson Curtis writes:
“Bro. Derek it is plain you are being charged with posting cipher ritual from the letter above.”
Mr. “Curtis,” where is the evidence that brother Derek posted a “cipher ritual?” Indeed, what IS a “cipher ritual?”
Finally, Mr. “Curtis,” why are you hiding behind an assumed name? Aren’t you proud of the fact that you’re a Past Grand Master of Masons in Arkansas, who played a large role in making Arkansas Masonry what it is today?
ALL I CAN SAY ABOUT THIS——–IS THAT GRAND LODGE NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND GIVE ALL BROTHERS THAT ASK FOR A FAIR TRIAL TO CLEAR THERE NAMES———A FAIR TRIAL——NO MAN SHOULD BE DENIED THAT——-ITS A CHRISTIAN THING TO DO——-IF YOU THINK DIFFERANT THEN YOU MUST NOT OF EVER READ THE BIBLE——-RONALD CHASTEEN—-EXPELLED FOR LIFE WITH OUT A TRIAL FROM GRAND LODGE
My friend,
I am not a mason but I do have knowledge that the ahiman rezon book with the constitution and code states,”No black man can be a free mason”. Check it out. I have debated this before with other so called masons and they deny it. Its in earlier books that the lodges honor not the new versions being made today. As people began to become more curious about issues and find truth, (certain people of status) began to destroy it by making revisions and updates. By the way, the book I mentioned above was in the year 1943………..Bless you and good luck.