SOBER THOUGHTS

I was heartbroken after interviewing Robert Joiner about the Masonic Lodge Hall located at the corner of Government and Riley Street, because this building represents so much of our community’s rich African-American history.  It literally breaks my heart to think how callous and unconcerned so many of our citizens have become regarding the state of affairs right in our own community.

It seems that the more we have integrated into mainstream middle-class society, the less emphasis we are placing on our own historic institutions — the very bridges that carried us AND OUR FOREPARENTS over, when we weren’t allowed to go any place else.  The Prince Hall Masons have been a major contributor to the growth and progress of black people.  It is one of our long-standing historic institutions and a very worthy cause to support. The Prince Hall Masons have a long-standing history of providing scholarships to youngsters, as well as supporting other noble and worthy causes to advance humanity. 

It has always been my belief that we as blacks still have much work to do within our own communities.   But, the more we integrate, the more pronounced the social problems in the black neighborhoods are becoming.  Many of us who aren’t observing, don’t even realize what is happening.

East Roanoke used to be the “mecca” of  black progress in our city. It would be a disgrace for our Lodge Hall to end up condemmed because of the lack of concern on the part of the black folk in Roanoke. Are we having such a good time socializing and traveling in white social circles, that we would neglect OUR OWN neighborhoods?

A Word To The Community

Irregardless of whether you are a member of Lodge 538, or Lily White 352 or not, ALL OF US should get involved in the repair and maintenance of the Masonic Lodge Hall.  If everybody got together and just donated some time and effort and a few dollars, we could bring our —   THAT’S RIGHT, I SAID OUR —  Masonic Lodge Hall up to standard.

Are we really that selfish, and lacking in community pride that we wouldn’t give a little time or effort to help out with this black historic site?  

A Word To The Lodges… Don’t Give Up!

Let’s look at it this way:  It really doesn’t matter what the Grand Lodge has done or is doing.  Years of loyalty, monetary contributions, and a valuable piece of real estate is at stake here.   It stands to reason, as in every other national organization, there is an obligation to keep current on state or national assessments in exchange for the privilege of using the name, logos, and publications and put yourself out as Prince Hall Masons.  Any time we fail to meet the obligation to the state or national level of our organization, then, we fall from grace with them, and they no longer have a duty to provide any assistance to us.   I believe that we can do it.  But, we can’t do it with a handful of aging members.  The first consideration is, “What can be done to attract young energetic men to the lodge?”   Every organization understands that its survival is dependent upon a large youth population.  If you don’t have youngsters, you have a dead organization.  A group of “aging men” can only do so much.  You possess the wisdom; so you serve as the brains….your young men will be the brawn. And as they continue to associate with the lodge, they will learn the leadership skills (that you too once had to learn) that will be needed to carry the lodge forward.   Once they join, let them lead!  

So, let’s think in terms of what we may be able to do to attract new members.  The Prince Hall Masons is an excellent vehicle through which lodge brothers could implement “mentoring” programs.  A good starting point might involve taking young boys in as members, or “Junior Members” and utilizing the very lessons learned in masonry to teach these youngsters character and values.  No need to re-invent the wheel!  Folks kill me, going out trying to start up something new.  Somebody got up a BBC and all kinds of  “boy-clubs,” when the same kinds of things could have been accomplished through the Masonic Lodge. African-Americans have excellent organizations already in place, that can be utilized to develop our young black men.  Let’s USE WHAT WE HAVE!  There is grant money available to groups and organizations who work with youth.  Grab some!  This may provide a means to help with the restoration efforts for 538.    

A community restoration project would be a great way to develop community pride, and team-work among African-Americans.   We need a good community project.

“Black-Balling”

I don’t pretend to know a whole lot about masonry, but I do remember my father’s  many conversations about Masonry.  He was a member of 538, and loved it.  He also was a 33rd Degree Mason.  Although there are many secrets about Masonry, it was no secret that there is a practice known as “black-balling,” a way for Masons to bar someone thought to be “undesirable” from membership.  As I understood it, this was a means of keeping the organization “exclusive.”  At one time, it was rumored that a various times there were young men who tried for a very long time to join 538, but never could because of this “black-balling” practice. Sometimes, the effort to keep the organization “clean” can end up being the nail in the coffin.  We certainly don’t need to get so “exclusive’ until people lose interest in becoming a part of it.

If 538 wants to attract new members, I would suggest suspending the practice of “black-balling” and adopt an OPEN DOOR POLICY. The lodge needs help!  Now!  It needs everybody’s help.  Perhaps if “undesirables” are admitted, then in the process of helping to re-build the lodge, an undesirable might be smitten by the influence of the brothers and develop more desirable qualities…. Thus the lodge would be meeting its goal of “making a good man better.”      

Appeal To The Community

I’m appealing to the black community in Roanoke, to get involved and let’s save 538. I know in my heart that WE CAN DO IT!  We owe it to our forebearers who labored in the vineyard of Roanoke in an effort to make it a great place for us to grow up and mature in.  Without a doubt, back then, times were much harder, financially than they are now.  Would they not be highly disappointed in us if they could only come back for a moment and revisit our neighborhood?