As a former member of William E. Neville Lodge #41 Mannheim, Germany, Oklahoma Jurisdiction regulated and chartered by Prince Hall Affiliation (PHA), I grew disgruntle towards Freemasonry. I had been a Master Mason since September 1991. I, as many others, looked at Freemasonry from the example of its members instead of the lessons within its degree work. Inexperience in the profession of Freemasonry, I still recognized the prevalent concept of “black on black” crime within social norm of African Diaspora Freemasonry. Too many acts of discrimination and prejudice were committed by members of PHA (black) to non-PHA members (black). The reason at the time was beyond my comprehension of human nature.
Therefore, it was a total shock when H.E. Dr. Malachi Kobina York (e) requested that I work with him to build a Freemasonic lodge. I had no clue that this would ever be asked of me. In fact, the process began during our pilgrimage in Washington D.C. In D.C., I was summoned to Dr. York (e)’s hotel room and asked to visit his residence in Athens, GA. Upon return from D.C., I went to his residence not knowing the purpose and soon left. The same day a message was sent to me of why I left Dr. York (e)’s residence so soon. Another request was given that I visit his residence. So, I did.
Eventually, Dr. York (e) told me of his plan to begin a Freemasonic Lodge. I sat with the mindset of “Okay”. Then the explosion occurred, he asked me to be the Worshipful Master. Automatically, I refused by saying “I am not going to do it.” He said “Yes, you are.” My reply was “No I’m not.” Again his reply was “Yes, you are.” I answered, “So what am I supposed to do?” At this point, the answer he gave went against all the stories the conventional stories I heard about him. He simply stated, “I don’t know you figure it out.”
This was my first culture shock working with Dr. York (e) as many more would soon follow. All the stories I heard of about his leadership style began disappearing one by one. The concept of him refusing to let the hands go of people for the purpose of growth was eliminated. Therefore, it is a violent, brutal, and harsh attack and ultimate lie when opponents of Dr. York (e) make claim of him ruling as some sort of tyrant. In addition, at first we followed the Eurocentric concept of Freemasonic structure, adapted by black Masonic orders like PHA. We originally were charted under Pride of Georgia and opened Ramses II (Freemasonic Lodge) #9. This name was later changed to Nuwaubian #3 and grew to Nuwaubian Grand Lodge. We are all about progression of our people not oppression. We taught the craft like no other.
Ill. Noble Michael Berkley 33°
Therefore, it was a total shock when H.E. Dr. Malachi Kobina York (e) requested that I work with him to build a Freemasonic lodge. I had no clue that this would ever be asked of me. In fact, the process began during our pilgrimage in Washington D.C. In D.C., I was summoned to Dr. York (e)’s hotel room and asked to visit his residence in Athens, GA. Upon return from D.C., I went to his residence not knowing the purpose and soon left. The same day a message was sent to me of why I left Dr. York (e)’s residence so soon. Another request was given that I visit his residence. So, I did.
Eventually, Dr. York (e) told me of his plan to begin a Freemasonic Lodge. I sat with the mindset of “Okay”. Then the explosion occurred, he asked me to be the Worshipful Master. Automatically, I refused by saying “I am not going to do it.” He said “Yes, you are.” My reply was “No I’m not.” Again his reply was “Yes, you are.” I answered, “So what am I supposed to do?” At this point, the answer he gave went against all the stories the conventional stories I heard about him. He simply stated, “I don’t know you figure it out.”
This was my first culture shock working with Dr. York (e) as many more would soon follow. All the stories I heard of about his leadership style began disappearing one by one. The concept of him refusing to let the hands go of people for the purpose of growth was eliminated. Therefore, it is a violent, brutal, and harsh attack and ultimate lie when opponents of Dr. York (e) make claim of him ruling as some sort of tyrant. In addition, at first we followed the Eurocentric concept of Freemasonic structure, adapted by black Masonic orders like PHA. We originally were charted under Pride of Georgia and opened Ramses II (Freemasonic Lodge) #9. This name was later changed to Nuwaubian #3 and grew to Nuwaubian Grand Lodge. We are all about progression of our people not oppression. We taught the craft like no other.
Ill. Noble Michael Berkley 33°