Are FreeMasons Racist
Are Freemasons Racist? A Clear Look at History, Law, and Reality
The question “Are Freemasons racist?” comes up often — and it’s understandable given history. Freemasonry is an old fraternity with deep traditions, but it also exists within the social and legal realities of its time.
The short answer is: most Freemasons are not racist, and racism is not part of Masonic doctrine. The longer answer requires looking at history, law, and how racial dynamics shaped certain lodges in the past.
Freemasonry’s Core Principles
Freemasonry teaches:
Brotherly love
Relief (charity)
Truth
Equality among men
Masonic ritual emphasizes that all men meet “on the level,” symbolizing moral equality regardless of wealth, status, or background. Racism runs directly counter to these principles.
Importantly: these ideals apply to the vast majority of Masons today. While some individuals or lodges in the past may have held prejudiced views, this does not define the fraternity as a whole.
Prince Hall Freemasonry and Early Exclusion
In the late 1700s, Prince Hall and fourteen free Black men were denied entry to white Boston lodges, reflecting racial prejudice at the time. They were later initiated through a British Army lodge and eventually received a charter from the Grand Lodge of England, creating Prince Hall Freemasonry.
This separation was a response to societal racism, not a requirement of Masonic teachings. Prince Hall Masons, like all Masons, uphold the same principles of brotherhood, morality, and equality.
When Racism Was Written Into Law: The Florida Example
One of the clearest examples of racial exclusion in Freemasonry comes from Florida law.
In 1893, the state incorporated the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Florida with language stating it consisted of members “exclusively of the white race.”
First Coast News reported:
👉 Florida Jim Crow Law allows Masonic Lodge to members ‘Exclusively of the white race’
Key points from the report:
The law remained on the books for over a century.
Lodge leaders acknowledged the statute but emphasized that modern civil rights laws prohibit racial discrimination.
In 1993, Florida Freemasons adopted a Declaration of Principles affirming that discrimination based on race, creed, or color is illegal and contrary to Masonic values.
This law reflects historical reality — not the beliefs of all Masons, then or now. Many Masons have always opposed racial exclusion, and today the majority are actively inclusive.
Breaking Down Barriers: NBC News on Racial Recognition in Masonic Lodges
An NBC News article noted that many predominantly white Grand Lodges, especially in the South, refused for decades to recognize Prince Hall Grand Lodges, which effectively segregated Masons by race:
NBC News: Freemasonry and Race
Again, this reflected social pressures rather than Masonic doctrine. Many Masons have worked to change these policies, and mutual recognition is now common in most states. Racism has been, and continues to be, opposed by many members and lodges.
Historic Timeline: Race and Freemasonry in America
1775 – Prince Hall and Black men denied entry to white Boston lodges → Initiated through British Army lodge. (Wikipedia)
1784 – African Lodge No. 459 chartered by Grand Lodge of England → Legitimized Black Freemasonry in the U.S.
1787 – Formal organization of African Lodge → Prince Hall becomes Worshipful Master.
1827 – African Grand Lodge declares independence → Separate Prince Hall Grand Lodges formed.
Late 1800s – Segregation enforced in law and practice → Florida statute legally incorporated white-only lodges. (First Coast News)
1960s–1970s – Civil Rights pressure → Some lodges reconsider racial exclusion policies.
1989 – Connecticut first lasting mutual recognition with Prince Hall Grand Lodge (Phoenixmasonry)
1993 – Florida adopts Declaration of Principles → Explicitly prohibits racial discrimination in lodges.
2019 – Mutual recognition in Florida → Prince Hall and mainstream Grand Lodges cooperate officially.
Modern Freemasonry and Inclusion
Today:
Most U.S. Grand Lodges recognize Prince Hall Grand Lodges.
Inter-visitation and cooperation are routine.
Many lodges are racially diverse and welcoming.
It’s clear that not all Masons are racist, and most actively reject discrimination. Historical practices were shaped by society, not Masonic teaching. Modern Freemasonry emphasizes equality, inclusion, and brotherhood for all men.
Individuals vs. the Institution
It’s important to distinguish:
The fraternity’s ideals, which reject racism, from
Individual behaviors, which can reflect personal bias.
Freemasonry does not teach racial superiority, and the overwhelming majority of Masons today embrace equality and brotherhood. Historical exceptions do not define the organization as a whole.
So, Are Freemasons Racist?
✔️ No, the core principles of Freemasonry are not racist.
✔️ Some historical lodges and laws (like Florida’s 1893 statute) codified exclusion, but this reflected society, not doctrine. (First Coast News)
✔️ Historical non-recognition of Prince Hall Grand Lodges reflects racial divisions in practice, not doctrine. (NBC News)
✔️ Many Masons have opposed racial exclusion, and modern lodges prioritize inclusion.
✔️ Not all Masons are racist, and many actively promote equality.
Learn More or Join a Lodge
If you’re interested in learning more about Freemasonry or joining a Masonic lodge, you can call your local lodge or apply online. Freemasonry welcomes men of all backgrounds who share the values of brotherhood, morality, and equality.
