[Sen's Revenge]

For the first time on GC (and I think maybe anywhere on the internet) I am going to discuss my masonic experience.

tl;dr: Becoming a Freemason is something I largely regret.

Longer story:

In my late 20s, I contemplated becoming a Freemason. As a Black person, I wasn't particularly interested in Prince Hall freemasonry. Being in APO and Alpha Phi Alpha by then, I felt like Alpha gave a good predominately black experience, so I wanted something that was more like APO--racially integrated. In addition, I liked the history of the lodges in my city at the time.

I went to a repast for one of the meetings, met one or two members, and then a bunch of people who had submitted petitions. The Mason I met was nice, the food was bad, and the petitioners were super stressed out and not fun to talk to. I left feeling like what I'd read about Freemasonry was important, but more casual than these guys were behaving. (Does that make sense? What I mean is that they were SUPER serious about being impressive to the members, while most websites I saw suggested than men just go and be themselves.)

Because there was that dissonance, and then unanswered questions about just how much memory was required in the process, I decided it wasn't for me at that time.

Back then, I knew there was the possibility for a One Day Class or one-day conferral of degrees. That was appealing to me because I am literally always busy. Some would argue that if I'm too busy, then it's not for me. Other jurisdictions have agreed that a way needs to be made for working professionals.

Ten years go by. I see a flyer on social media for a Prince Hall one-day class, known in that jursidiction as a Grand Master's Class. I'm like whoa, this is exactly what I said I would wait for and here it is.

(I don't intend to make this a rush story, but there is a part II coming right now, I just need a small break)