On July 17-19, <strong>2009</strong> The <strong>Georgia</strong> Council <strong>of</strong> the Knights <strong>of</strong> Pythagoras Jurisdiction <strong>of</strong> <strong>Georgia</strong> held its Annual Youth Camp atFort Valley State University in Fort Valley <strong>Georgia</strong>. Brothers and Mentors came to assist Past <strong>Grand</strong> Master Willie Williamswho currently serves as State Director <strong>of</strong> The Knights <strong>of</strong> Pythagoras. The councils enjoyed many activities during the summercamp session including horseback riding, basketball camps, talks and discussions by the mentors <strong>of</strong> the program. <strong>Grand</strong> MasterRamsey Davis, Jr also stopped in to visit the youth councils and <strong>of</strong>fer words <strong>of</strong> encouragement.Page 14
Most Worshipful <strong>Prince</strong> <strong>Hall</strong> <strong>Grand</strong> <strong>Lodge</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Georgia</strong>7340 Old National Hwy.Riverdale, GA 30349What Are We Becoming?From The Desk <strong>of</strong> Bruce JamesRight Worshipful <strong>Grand</strong> Senior WardenThe decision by the Imperial Potentate and others todisassociate themselves from <strong>Prince</strong> <strong>Hall</strong> Masonryis like saying: there will be no hotdogs at a baseballgame; no tailgating at a football game; no popcornat a basketball game; no dancing at the ball; noburn-outs at a drag race, no prayer at church andMasons can’t be Shriners. What in the heck are ourso called leaders thinking about? Has some <strong>of</strong> themlost their mind or is it just me? Is this the WillieLynch Theory at its best? I guess all <strong>of</strong> the fightinglegal battles, demonstrations, protest and debates tobecome <strong>Prince</strong> <strong>Hall</strong> Masons and Shiners can now bethrown out the door. The bottom-line, it is outrightstupid, asinine, crazy and ludicrous to even think orsuggest such.Every since I was thirteen years old I wanted tobecome a Mason and Shriner, mainly because <strong>of</strong>who they were and what they stood for in thecommunity. My life dream to become a Masoncame true in June 1982. Every since that day I havebeen a proud, enthusiastic, motivated, committedand traveling <strong>Prince</strong> <strong>Hall</strong> Mason. However, as aproud <strong>Prince</strong> <strong>Hall</strong> Mason I thought I would neversee the day when “Black Fraternal Brothers”Masons and Shiners would part because <strong>of</strong>sovereignty, membership and selfish, arrogantbehavior. I think it’s an outright damn shame thatthe premier Black Fraternal organization known as<strong>Prince</strong> <strong>Hall</strong> Masons and Shiners would stoop so lowas to jeopardize our mere existence; not to mentionflush down the drain all <strong>of</strong> the hard work ourforefathers and mothers endured to make <strong>Prince</strong><strong>Hall</strong> Masonry what it is today. It’s even moresickening and disgusting to know that “we” havegotten so educated, selfish, narrow-minded, hatefuland vindictive that “we” can’t get along with oneanother. What makes things even worst is, “weeducated beyond our intelligence Black Men” areseeking, requesting, asking and begging our WhiteBrothers to accept and recognize us as Brothers. Thedecision to part from the <strong>Prince</strong> <strong>Hall</strong> Family is aVERY GOOD reason why they shouldn’t recognizeus. Hell, we don’t even recognize, respect andaccept ourselves.To part and go our separate ways sends a very badmessage to our young men not to mention to theworld; and it will surely affect the growth anddevelopment <strong>of</strong> both organizations. Matter <strong>of</strong> fact,we are surely to become the laughing stock <strong>of</strong> allFraternal Orders. But what’s worst <strong>of</strong> all, we <strong>Prince</strong><strong>Hall</strong> Masons and Shriners are quick to scrutinize,point fingers and disassociate ourselves withInternational, Modern & Free Masons and other socall bogus <strong>Lodge</strong>s. Give me a break!Finally, it has taken two hundred plus years for aBlack Man to become President <strong>of</strong> the United States<strong>of</strong> America and here we are two hundred plus yearsafter the discovery <strong>of</strong> <strong>Prince</strong> <strong>Hall</strong> Freemasonry andwe are seemingly closing the Volume <strong>of</strong> ScaredLaw and turning the Compass and Squarebackwards.Thank God the Conference <strong>of</strong> <strong>Grand</strong> Masters hasnot stooped or reverted to the same level <strong>of</strong>mentality by saying Masons cannot or should not beShriners.Page 15
Change language