Medgar Wiley Evers


The happenings in the National News over the last couple of days have lit my fuse. As is normal, I am very vocal and opinionated about most things. I was about that, too. The degrading of people based on their race is uncalled for, on any level. I do not want this post to turn political. I think it is more of a moral issue—one of integrity and character. Some would disagree with me, and I 110% see where they are coming from. So, I raised my voice, spoke up, sent letters to my elected officials stating my displeasure, and went on.

I woke up this morning and had my coffee and stick like normal and remembered a movie I have watched a few times, The Ghosts of Mississippi. I am not really sure why it came to mind, but it did. 

So off to Dr. Google to do a bit of research. The truth is, outside of the movie, I knew nothing about Medgar Wiley Evers. I knew we was unalived (Facebook algorithm). I knew who did it and a bit about the trials that took many years to bring the man to justice.  But that was all I knew.

I just started reading about Medgar this morning, but found that he is a Prince Hall Mason in Mississippi. His name is in the archives of  M.W. Stringer Lodge who got its name from Grand Master Thomas W. Stringer. He founded Prince Hall Masonry in Mississippi and served as Grand Master from 1867-1893. An interesting note, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall gave the initial address for the lodge, which has since been the headquarters of the Prince Hall Masonry. Medgar is also a 32-degree Scottish Rite Mason with the Southern Jurisdiction. He is a Veteran of the US Army, having served in World War II.

It is sad to note that the person and I will not honor them by the use of their name. They were also a Freemason. He was a member of Greenwood Lodge in 1954. The Grand Lodge of Mississippi expelled him from the rolls in 1978 and was confirmed removed in an annual communication in 1979. He was also a member of a hate group (yes, that one) in the state. He died in prison in 2001.

Medgar was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. There were reports I saw in the Mississippi Times that his name was deleted from the Arlington Website. I did a quick search and found his headstone and a write-up about him.

Maybe this came to mind, and I thought of his name because, while an action this week frankly, pissed me off. I saw hope, too.  The Grand Lodge of Arkansas has voted by 70+ percent of its members to open talks of Masonic Brotherhood with its Prince Hall counterparts. Leaving 1, maybe 2 states left that should soul-search and embrace Masonic Unity.  Then I saw an event sponsored by both Grand Lodges in my Jurisdiction (AF&AM and Prince Hall) that will work together and do a joint 3rd Degree raising.

We as Masons have come a long way, but as always, we have further to go. Thank you, Medgar, for your service to our Country, our Craft, and humanity. Also, thank you for whispering your name in my ear so I could go and start learning a bit more.

I love you, and may we govern ourselves accordingly


 

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